10 gallon aquarium(saltwater)

First of all, you should realize that you can create a reef tank in any size aquarium. I have personally seen 2 gallon reef tanks, and personally ran a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon reef tank for some time. Regardless of tank size, you have to be concerned with provided the same features. These include maintaining the proper water chemistry, providing strong water movement, heating the tank, providing proper lighting, controling algae, stocking the tank, and keeping up with routine maintenance. In this article, I will describe setting up a 10 gallon reef tank. You can adjust according for your tank size.

Maintaining the water chemistry in a small tank is simple. I prefer a natural system, which uses 2’’ of aragonite sand for substrate and 7 to 12 lbs of live rock. A plenum system for the sand is optional. For live rock, I recommend that you buy a high quality rock. The rock should be dense and light weight. Heavy, brick like, live rock is not what yo

In summary, you will have a reef tank with aragonite sand, live rock, 2 light bulbs, a Skilter, 2 or 3 small fish, and soft corals. You will do a bi-weekly 2 gallon water change, using a good aquarium salt such as Instant Ocean. I recommend that you use RO water, which you can buy from your pet shop, given your very small water needs. The lights should be run for 8 to 10 hours a day, on a timer. The fish should be feed heavily. Do not worry about overfeeding a reef, provided you clean your filter pads daily. That is about all there is to it.

Speaking of lighting, for a 10 gallon tank 2 full spectrum tubes will work. Do not use any cover, just place the lights across the tank. The glass cover will eliminate a large portion of the light. Again, you should not have any type of cover on this tank! I personally use 1 full spectum “daylight” bulb and 1 “blue” bulb. I prefer the URI brand, but there are many good ones out there. Just ask your local reef shop what they suggest. You absolutely do not need VHO bulbs or Metal Halides for a small reef aquarium. Remember, we are trying to enjoy the hobby without spending an arm and a leg!

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