10 gallon reef setup

[rickyestrada7]

i am trying to set up my ten gallon for coral.
perferably a reef.
i am having a lot of trouble on what type of lighting to buy.
i was goint to buy two 20 watt incandesent lights that were $17.99 each, and a ficture that i found at wall-mart that fits them.
but it says (2-15 or 25 watts required)
i am on a buget and would like to spend at least no more than $75.00 to $100.00 on lighting.
here is a list of things i currently have in the tank
10 to 20 gallon filter
max jet 400 wave maker
and regular lighting

also
1 damsel
and 1 clownfish

i would like to set up an anemone for my clownfish
please respond,
thank you

[BEELZEBOB]

buy coral life 96watt pc, or a viper 70-150watt metal halide.

if you want photosynthetic corals, you need nice lights. really no point going cheapo, and getting something worthless (to corals)

budget your time and $$$$$$$

if you dont gots the skrilla right now, SAVE UP and get what you actually need.

[BigAl07]

Hello and welcome.

First off the anemone (regardless of what your Local Fish Store or LFS tells you) needs to be in a mature (read aged) tank with VERY high output lighting. Also in order to keep one long term it's much better to have it in a significantly larger (I'd like 50+ gallons but some people get away with 24g tanks) tank for stability.

I too started exactly where you are. I started with a 10g tank, incandescent lighting and a whisper Hang On Back (HOB) fixture. That was a TOUGH lesson to learn (read expensive) but it's DOABLE! The hard part is being patient and doing things in the right order. For the record... your tank is pretty much fully stocked now with those two fish and in due time may become OVER stocked depending on the size of the fish. Think long and hard about where you want your tank to be "Long Term" and buy the light fixture for THAT purpose. I bought THREE different fixtures (Thank you Local Fish Store) before I got one that was appropriate for my needs.

You've joined an AMAZING forum with tons of helpful and genuinely caring members. We're here to help you learn and succeed. Hang in there and let us help you have one HECK of a sweet tank.

Again WELCOME to the Reef

[BEELZEBOB]

o ooo, yea, you really should shy away from a nem.

[Anselth]

A 10 gallon is probably too small for an anemone. I'm going to guess you have a standard 20x10x12 tank? Look at these:

Orbit 20"

Current USA 20"

There are cheaper, single bulb alternatives, which may be fine for your use, depending on the corals you intend to keep. Like this

What kinds of corals are you looking for?

[rickyestrada7]

ok i found my anemone.
the guy is selling it to me with no light though for $25.00 its a pink tip.
i might buy a compact light the 50/50 15 watt for $30.00 just to keep the anemone alive and then upgrade.
what do u think?

[BEELZEBOB]

that wont keep the anemone alive.

say it with me;

PHO-TO-SYN-THE-SIS

is how anemones survive. you're basically asking if you can grow a rosebush under a flashlight. in both instances, NO

[rickyestrada7]

ok so tell me what i need

[G!N+T0N!K]

He did tell you, look at his first post, thread post #2. Take it slow and read everything very carefully. If you have more questions just ask theres lots of people here to help you with the right setup.

[BigAl07]

If you're set on getting an anemone you need MH lights and a well established tank. This is like learning to drive in a Nascar Race Car. You have to learn to walk before you're ready for the Olympics.

Research and patience will save you so MUCH time and money not to mention the lives of your tank critters.

[Triggerjay]

Uh oh.... been here before... Pass up the nem! Purchase some soft corals first, and see how they fare.. They are fun too! I would look at either of the lights Anselth posted links to. Lights - then TIME, then in maybe a year, or more..... and after careful research... a nem.

Jason

[BEELZEBOB]

Originally Posted by rickyestrada7

ok so tell me what i need

a shot, a stogue, and a lot of patientience.


honestly, spend MONTHS researching prior to purchasing, well, anything...

[rickyestrada7]

what do u guys think if i bought a hood with room for two 36 watt bulbs?

[BEELZEBOB]

[Jason25]

OK not to sound rude but are you actually reading the responses to your questions? You have been told a few times already which lights to buy so why keep asking?