I have had a 10 gallon nano set-up for a year now. It has 15lbs of live rock and 15lbs of live sand. I have 2 powerheads, but no filtration other than the live rock and sand. As far livestock, I have (1 ) false percula clown about 2", (1) emerald crab, 3 scarlett hermits and 5 assorted snails, along with a bunch of pods. My lighting is a normal output fluorescent bulb at 18000k. The hood is 20" wide. I also have a heater. I have no ammonia, nitirites, nitrates or phosphates. I was hoping to add a piece of coral and another fish. Any suggestions on lighting for the coral or species of fish that would be compatable? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Russ

You would probably be ok adding a small fish like a yellow goby. As far as coral with that light I would stick to soft corals like mushrooms, leathers etc. Of course if you wanted to upgrade the lighting you could keep virtually anything. A 70w MH pendant would work well over a tank that size.

i agree, i would stick with 1 small fish and a soft coral like mushrooms or zoanthids under that light.

Thanks guys. I cant believe how fast you replied. I was thinking I had to go with a 250w mh light. It didnt occur to me that they made 75w pendants. I am very concerned about energy usage, and 75w I'm ok with. Is a protein skimmer necessary on this size tank if I'm going to put corals in it? I actually bought one, and never used it because the maxijet 1200 pump it came with seemed too strong for my small tank. I do water changes twice a week on Sunday and on Wednesday ,15% of the total water volume.

thanks again
Russ

with those water changes I wouldn't bother with a skimmer in that size tank. The W/C will accomplish more than any skimmer could hope to do.

Hi Russ and :welcome: to TR.