[emothman]

I am excited to start my 10! What kind of protein skimmer/filtration do you guys recommend if any for a 10?

Nanos are awesome!

[glampka]

Many people running small tanks like that don't use a skimmer since they're doing regular water changes. One of the HOT models would work like the Bak Pak 2 or AquaC Remora. Stay away from the Fission Nano skimmer & Seaclone.

[emothman]

I have heard a couple people dis on the fissions. I think I will start without a skimmer, and see how things go. Wish the budget were more flexible.

[emothman]

Opinions on if 2 perc clowns are too much for a 10 gallon?

[rlcline76]

I have the nano fission, mine is OK, but if you can do better in time, I say do better.

IMO, 10 is too small for 2 clowns. I don't mean to sound crude, but your fish need room to fart and then a few gallons on top of that is even more recommended. The reason your LFS has a potentially large fish sitting in a small tank is because he is not in the business of keeping it in that tank. I know it is a little disappointing. Have you considered moving up to a 20 gallon? The price of the tank itself will not be anymore expensive and the equipment you need will be the same.

[teajay33]

ive got 2 baby clowns and a adult bi color blenny in mine. they are doing just fine. i use the aquaclear filter that hangs on the back. dont go with the one that says 10-35 gallon, use the bigger one. i think its like 35-55 or something. i use that and its great. for lights i used the coralife aqualite or something like that, its on the hellolights.com site. 20". if you have any questions let me know. i'd make sure you get a deep sand bed and some good live rock. send me a PM if you have any questions. (btw, i dont use a skimmer either, i do 20% water changes every 2 weeks. )


TJ

[blind1993]

i clown and a damsel are going to be good for that but i would recomend just to make it a coral tank that would be the best

[ry77]

a berlin airlift 60 by red sea will fit in a ten gallon and works well but takes a bit of space, mine works great though. I agree that two clowns would be fine in a ten gallon.

[emothman]

Lots of good info, thanks guys!

[Six-line Wrasse]

I feel two clownfish will be too much for a 10 gal. tank. Their bio-load production is disproportional to their size. Two clownfish may do well in a 15 or 20, but I would even shy away from the 15 and go for a 20 gal.

Go without a skimmer. Regular 10 - 15% water changes is more than enough to maintain a healthy tank. If you plan to overstock the tank then a skimmer may be required.

[ry77]

once I got a skimmer I noticed a big difference in the clearity of my water between changes, I encourage using one. but thats me

[emothman]

Any suggestions on cheap/small skimmers? Maybe a DIY skimmer?

[Six-line Wrasse]

On a 10 gal. I would just do 10% (1 gal.) weekly water changes. This should be enough nutrient export and trace mineral/calcium replenishment.

Unless you're keeping very finicky corals/fish/invertebrates I wouldn't worry too much about a skimmer.

[emothman]

Forget the skimmer, okay. Live rock and sand are in. I will post pictures of my aquascape later. I can't seem to get the water cleared up. Kind of a greenish murky look. I hope this isn't going to be a permanent problem because it is not so flattering. Sand and rock only been in a few days, but I would have expected stuff to settle by now. I tried leaving the powerhead off over night, but that didn't seem to work. I may just need to wait some more. Ammonia is just barely starting to register, so I doubt it could be anything like algae. This was my main reason for thinking about a skimmer. Thanks for all of your good responses six-line

[emothman]

Water cleared up. Must have just been some really fine silt.