Making sure I'm not being an idiot trying this - 10 gal invertebrate

monkeybike

Aimara
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Mar 13, 2015
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I used to keep Halimeda in my reef keeper days.
 

banjocat

Candiru
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Dec 5, 2007
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Have been reading a lot about sumps. Not sure how I'm going to do things atm. I'll either have to go simple like originally planned and maybe add a sump later or do a bunch of more planning on exactly how I want to setup the sump. The overflow and return pump seem simple enough, but I'll have to figure out what to do with the dividers/baffles. I'll think on it more, but I'm thinking I can always add a sump later on.
 

banjocat

Candiru
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Dec 5, 2007
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Anyone new to salt water may want to play around with halimeda, just to gain experience. Its easy to grow, you only need a airstone and great nutrient exporter. In some of the high schools around here do a halimeda experiment and here is a link to directions.


www.hawaii.edu/.../pdfs/algae.aquarium.setup.highschool
The link didn't work for me, but from what little I've read halimeda seems interesting. I'll have to look more into growing it
 

tlindsey

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Years ago when I setup reef in a 45 column tank used half distilled , half tap due to the size of the aquarium. Btw always used Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, had a sump under it, and had to use metal halide bulb together with antinic bulbs tank was deep so this was my only option at that time had Seahorses that spawned a few times so I'm guessing I did something right:D Most of the advice that everyone is giving you is good, a Nano type setup shouldn't be to difficult to handle imo. Good luck, and enjoy it:)
 
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banjocat

Candiru
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Dec 5, 2007
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It has been awhile. At first changed my mind on doing a saltwater.

Finally gave it a try Saturday. Added live rock. So far have noticed some of what I think are amphipods. They are kind of interesting to watch. Saw some chasing each other today. Also today I added a small piece of shrimp tail to start the cycling. I saved other tail pieces for in case they are needed.

I'm using two hob filters since I have a spare. My end goal would be 1 or 2 small hermit crabs and a clown goby. I'll see how the hermit crabs go first.

Might consider a 30 gallon(maybe 50) in the future with better equipment.
 
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banjocat

Candiru
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Dec 5, 2007
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Michigan
Bought the last piece of live rock today. I just got it and so far I've seen a bristle worm and asterina starfish. The starfish was a hitchhiker I was hoping for, so hopefully it makes it.

Most of the live rock in the size range I wanted had coral polyps on them. This was a tank dedicated to live rock. The guy working there told me they didn't sell pieces with coral. There was a nice piece with only one polyp on it and I asked him if that piece was ok. He decided to let me have it put went to effort to scrape it off. I didn't see what he did with it. Do you think the polyp is likely to survive or was he probably killing it rather than letting me have a free coral? I guess I should have asked
 
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