12 Gallon Eclipse Nano Reef

[Janelle]

I had a 12 gallon Eclipse freshwater setup with guppies and mollies in it, and then while I was at the pet store I saw some of their nanoreefs and fell in love. I bought a 12 gallon NanoCube and converted my Eclipse to saltwater. For both I used a crushed coral substrate. I was leaning towards live sand but I didn't understand the concept (anyone care to explain?) Anyway, I bought 2 blue damsels for the Eclipse and 2 three stripe damsels for the nanocube to cycle them. I just bought 15 pounds of live rock from the Florida Keys from www.liverocks.com and they should arrive Wednesday. I am also looking forward to getting some Mushroom coral, some percula clown fish (or tomato clown fish) and possibly an anenome. However, I am concerned about the lighting on the 12 gallon Eclipse. I just ordered this 50/50 10,000K day/actinic 03 light made specifically for the eclipse http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/13w5010dayac.html but they only have it in 13 watts. Could this possibly be enough to support live rock and mushroom coral and an anenome?Any comments/suggestions/advice will be greatly appreciated!

[MikeS]

I had a 12 gallon Eclipse freshwater setup with guppies and mollies in it, and then while I was at the pet store I saw some of their nanoreefs and fell in love. I bought a 12 gallon NanoCube and converted my Eclipse to saltwater. For both I used a crushed coral substrate. I was leaning towards live sand but I didn't understand the concept (anyone care to explain?)

Welcome to the forum! :-D

"live" sand is sand that comes with some of the bacteria necessary for the nitrogen cycle. However, dry sand will become "live" sand over time anyway. Live sand does sometimes help the tank cycle a bit easier, but IMO it's not worth the cost. You can seed dry sand with some sand from an established tank and get the same result.

Anyway, I bought 2 blue damsels for the Eclipse and 2 three stripe damsels for the nanocube to cycle them. I just bought 15 pounds of live rock from the Florida Keys from www.liverocks.com and they should arrive Wednesday. I am also looking forward to getting some Mushroom coral, some percula clown fish (or tomato clown fish) and possibly an anenome.

That's a lot of bioload....nanotanks are not very forgiving when it comes to bioload issues. These tanks will only be able to support one or two small fish apiece at best.

However, I am concerned about the lighting on the 12 gallon Eclipse. I just ordered this 50/50 10,000K day/actinic 03 light made specifically for the eclipse http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/13w5010dayac.html but they only have it in 13 watts. Could this possibly be enough to support live rock and mushroom coral and an anenome?Any comments/suggestions/advice will be greatly appreciated?)

The light will be fine for the live rock, so-so for the mushrooms, but not nearly enough for the anemone. Anemones need lots of light....like a good MH/VHO combo.

Mike

[miztahphong2]

ive always heard that they need a miniumum of 2 watts per gallon for shrooms. i tried one in my 6 gallon eclipse nano ( a loose one) and it kinda opened but not to its full potential. and mys an 8 watt lighting for a 6 gallon tank. so im not sure about that. you can try getting two of those kits and building them custom into your canopy.