10 gallon marine tank

[ajherts]

I'm setting up a 10 gallon marine tank this weekend, but have a few questions --
Do I absolutely HAVE to have a protein skimmer? All of the ones I have seen are very expensive -- if I do get a protein skimmer, do I need a powerhead? If so, what kind should I use?

This is my first marine tank, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks.

 

[Len]

:welcome:

Get ready for the madness that is reefkeeping You don't need a skimmer, but they most definitely help and are worthwhile. Without a skimmer, make sure to do regular water changes (something like 20-30% every two to four weeks, or smaller changes more frequently).

With or without a skimmer, you still want one more small powerhead. I recommend Maxijets for affordable but high quality water movement. Water movement is very important for marine tanks, especially for reef tanks.

 

[pcardone]

first tank,go bigger.

 

[Snowboarda42]

first tank,go bigger.

+1


Smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep.

 

[Anonymous]

first tank,go bigger.

+1


Smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep.

Sorry, but this is old school thinking, and frankly you could not be more wrong with your assertion. I've been keeping marine tanks for over 20 years, from 7 gallons to 300 gallons, and BY FAR the easiest to maintain tanks that I've ever had have been my 7 and 12 gallon nano reefs.
If you're trying to make the statement that a larger tank is easier for a beginner, your statement might be a bit less misleading, but at the end of the day it's really that old school thinking rearing it's head again. Smaller tanks require less money and less upkeep, period.

Below is a shot of my 12 gallon cube before I moved and had to take it down. Note the Maxima clam in the upper left corner.

Furthermore, a skimmer is almost a waste of money on a tank this small as water changes are so quickly and easily done...a skimmer becomes superfluous.

Jim

 

[Chubosco]

Just watch the surface. When a protein slick starts, do a water change. You must have lots of water movement and add fresh ro water daily. A small tank like that you can't just keep an eye on. You have to WATCH it. What I like about a small tank is that you can micro manage it to the smallest detail.

 

[seaskraP]

gotta agree with Jim on this one.
even though a bigger tank is less susceptible to water parameter changes, the simplicity of the small tanks makes it easier to perform effective husbandry.
heres a shot of the first day i set up a 10g at my office.

sorry, crappy cell phone pic

make sure you have good flow and keep up with the water changes. for the this 10g i change about 1g every two to three weeks.

 

[Chubosco]

Speaking of old school...different strokes for different folks. Really today, just about any size tank can be kept. Perhaps the single most important aspect is to PUT RESEARCH AND TIME INTO YOUR TANK! That alone is the recipe for success.