10 gallon nano questions

[ottoruss]

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

[poppin_fresh]

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.

[lReef lKeeper]

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

[ottoruss]

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

[poppin_fresh]

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.

[CarmieJo]

Hi Russ and to TR.