howdy!

[lessQQmorePEWPEW]

well, ive only got about 2 and a half inches. i guess ill head to aquarium designs tomorrow and pick up a couple more inches of live black sand if they have it.

also, that kind of light would grow whatever i want? i was looking at the clip on metal halide lights, or a small strip of 4 or 6 t5 lamps

[gjuarez]

BOth MH and T5 are good, although on tanks deeper than 24" I would go MH

[beerguy]

you need no more sand. if anything you will need less. the solution to pollution is dillution; you need as much water as you can get in a 10g. at the same time stay away from the viper clamp on MH light. The price is good but the lumen is not. If your going the MH route get something a little nicer. In your case Id go with T-5's, not only for the corals but for the alliance! couldnt help my self.... Seriously T-5's. Do it.

[gjuarez]

I wasnt aware that you had a 10g aquarium, live beerguy said you dont need more sand. Keep a very shallow sand bed that can be maintained periodically. When i had a 10g tank i only did aggresive water changes, it was one of the best tanks i have ever had. MH will overheat the tank, and if you evaporate alot of water it will be very difficult to stabilize salinity, not good for corals.

[corkyGramma]

the simple guide to mini-reef aquariums is a good buy goes over everything they've said in detail so you can absorb it.

[lessQQmorePEWPEW]

i read that t5 lamps stay alot cooler than metal halide lights do, so i guess thats the route im gonna go. since im going to build a canopy, i can use some of the surplus computer fans i have to provide airflow in the canopy and assist in keeping the lamps as cool as possible.

[corkyGramma]

Sounds good. Just keep in mind the drawbacks of a nano tank like that. Your limited to how much livestock you can have and if a spike in pollution occurs you must act immediately, thats why when your starting- more water is your friend. Just a heads up before you start a DIY. I myself have a 3gal pico tank thats 7months with soft coral in it, I went larger before I went smaller.