12 gallon nano (help a noob please)

[simple]

ok I initially posted in the new reef keepers forum, since im new to all of this) but i was told id get more help here. I recently bought a 12 gallon eclipse (http://www.petco.com/product/13544/Mari ... m-Kit.aspx) from a friend who gave it to me for close to nothing ($20). It has been up and running at his house for about a year and currently has about an inch and a half of live sand, one fiji damsel (which i plan on taking out due to its aggressive tendencies) and one hermit crab (all donated by my friend). Everything is stable and seems to be doing fine. I plan on buying ten pounds of live rock today at my LFS, but i eventually would like to make this into a reef aquarium with some coral and mushrooms and maybe in the future an anemone (bubble-tip). I was already told that i need to get better filters for better flow, but im not sure what filter to get. This is what im currently considering :http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140158369056&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us
would that be strong enough for the tank or should i get that plus a powerhead? Any suggestions for better filters or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
My other problem is lighting. I already know i need to upgrade that. I was considering getting the 65 watt version of this kit :http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+11418&pcatid=11418
is that kit any good? and will it support coral and an anemone? like i said any suggestions for better kits would be appreciated, and thank you for all the help.

 

[Anonymous]

if you'll be adding live rock, you don't need filters per se for better flow-just better flow

that item is an aerobic 'biofilter' which will be counterproductive to the development of the tank-you could use it without the media-but an internal small powerhead would also do the same job

i wouldn't recommend an anemone in that small a tank, until you get at least a year's experience under your belt-and then i still woldn't recommend it -but you'll be far better equipped to try

 

[jasno999]

DOn't need filters but having one is not horriable. A regular hang on back filter would add water flow to the tank and allow you to run carbon filtration every now and then...

YOu need LR in the tank... 0.75 to 1 lb per gallon should serve you well... YOu will have the tank go thru a cycle after oyu add it so you need to watch water parameters and not add any other coral or fish until things even out...

An 70 to 100W light that is a compact flourscent would work fine....

Yoou shoudl also get at least one power head which is a underwater pump to create flow in the tank. 2 would be better....

And if oyu don't have a heater get one.... Just get a nice one the enexpensive ones fail and break

 

[ChrisP]

I'm not very familiar with the Eclipse, but it's already sounding like you'll have to trash the stock hood to add sufficient lighting and filtration. In that case, you'll be searching like crazy to fine things (especially lighting) that will fit the dimensions of your tank. Also - if I recall correctly - the eclipse is acrylic which (IMO) becomes a big PIA with scratches, clearing it of corraline algae, etc.

What I'm trying to say is that you might want to consider going to a standard size glass tank. Something like a 20g long or 29g high might work out well (base dimensions on where you intend to place it). You can buy these for about $20 - $40 new, much cheaper used (Craig's list, etc.).
This way you'll have greater water volume (much better with less reef-keeping experience) and be easily able to find lighting, filtration, etc. to fit it. I know you'd like to use the Eclipse you already have, but, believe me, you will! Clean it and put it away for now, but you'll end up using it for something like a quarantine or special display tank - or even a freshwater display!

Just my two cents worth. Hope it helps!
Chris

 

[Reef Aquatics]

Acrylic does scratch easy..but I think the Eclipse tanks make nice nanos.
Just be very careful when you are cleaning it. I had a 3 gallon acrylic pico
reef for a year that barely had one scratch in it.

I would just scrap the hood entirely. I would get an aquaclear 50 or 70
power filter and covert it into a mini refugium or you could just drop a bag
of Chemi-pure or Purigen in it. I would also add atleast one powerhead. A
Koralia 1 would work good for that size tank.

A Current USA dual 40 watt or 65 watt PC hood with adjustable legs should
fit this tank...It might go over a little bit..but it should work.

10 pounds of live rock should be fine.

 

[mr_X]

i would not put a koralia 1 in a 12 gallon tank. it would look ridiculous.
that powerhead is almost 6 inches from base to end. it would span halfway across your tank.

koralia makes a nano powerhead now, but i'd match that up against a mj1200 for size.

i would also not scrap the hood. it would look ugly.
i would purchase a retrofit kit for it and keep the sleek look.
i'm not aware of the inside dimensions of that hood, but here are some that may fit-
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/po ... clipse.htm

 

[Reef Aquatics]

Mr X......lol

First I had a Koralia 1 in my 12 gallon nano cube and it worked just
fine..Its not that big...yes there is the koralia Nano..Its really not that
much smaller. So for the cost...I think the K1 is a much better purchase
for your buck. The size is no longer then 5 inches.

Second, when I said scrap the hood...all I meant was use a Current USA
light with mounting legs instead of the hood. Ive seen this quite a few
times with the eclipse tanks. I have an eclipse 3 without the hood,with
an odyessa 24 watt light with mounting legs in my office...it looks fine
without the eclipse hood. The light fits perfect on it. I made an acrylic
top for it too.

On and I know the size of the eclipse tanks..I sell them retail in my online
store.

Just adding suggestions...didnt mean to offend anyone..

cheers!!

 

[mr_X]

umm..the K1 is nearly that big- 2 1/4" x 5”
the nano is 2 inches shorter...alot in a 14 gallon tank imo.
i wasn't trying to argue or anything either. i was just giving my opinion.