Starting Nano tank

[limsteel]

Been reading up on articles related... now planning to start in Early November... Need some extra info here. ON LOW Budget here, but will try to meet at least minimum requirement, else I won't start.

Will be setting up 1½ft tank which is 10G or more. Will be using Salt mix from LFS. SG: 1.024 right? I see there is no ingredient listed on the package, so which brand give YOU better value for MONEY.

Live Rock: read that there are a few type... Pacific being the better looking ones (with algae). loading about 1.5P/G. What kind are commonly used?

Live sand: also about 1.5P/G. but what's the optimum thickness to put so as not to promote undesired Algae growth or is it just a myth?
Can I use Coral sand? Will bacteria start colonising them? And So after will serve the same purpose as LS Or is LS a must?

Cooling: Previous experience, when using a single fan I can cool this tank to 27-28°C. Can this support coral (which one)? Will additional fan cool it down further? If not Live Rock & Sand only tank will be OK.

Coral: What to do initially? preparation like cleaning, needed? Dump them in and let them established themselves? or do I have to achor them down like planting? Do they anchor themselves on Live Rock?

Lighting: DIY 36W 10000K & 36W Blue Light, is that sufficient? Does BLUE Light contribute to coral growth or it is there for show only? What kind of low requirement Coral l can keep with these stuff? Coral need a variety of nutrients, Are they available in a ALL IN ONE Bottle?

Filtration will use Ehiem Liberty200, as I am not running skimmer then I have to change water weekly. How Much to CHANGE, 50%? OR
I have a Plan to custom make external L45cm x W6cm x H30cm TWO/THREE compartment to attach to the back of my 1½ft tank. Using an existing 1500ltr/hr powerhead as return pump through rain bar. Is that OK?

visited LFS and seen pump dirven skimmer, I am thinking whether I can use a T joint connection to return pump to power air driven skimmer.

Live stock
Looking at a few small cleaner shrimps, 1 Clown (read clown are aggressive to it own kind). So how to keep it happy (how to get a mate)?

Thanks

[BFG]

Bro, visit www.sgreefclub.com for more info. I've learned alot from there. There are a few thread on nano tank on their Tank gallery section with pics on how their member has done their setup.

Live rock depending on where they came from. Normal live rock are cheaper but plain in appearance whereas Tonga live rock are more ex and has unusual shape like the roots of the trees that are found on coastal area. Choose those that has more coraline algae ( purple color ).

Sand. I would use either grade 0 or grade 1 sand. Thickness depend on your preference as there are a lot of theory out there regarding DSB (deep sand bed) or a thin sand bed. Max should be 4" though.

Use protein skimmer iso filter as they do a better job of removing what ever protein in the water column. Canister filter are a no no as they are nitrate-nitrite factory. There are cheaper brand eg Weipro 2011 but they need a pumphead with 2500lt/h for effective skimming.

Lighting. 10000k shud be enough as your tank isn't that deep. You can check with reefer if you are still not sure.

Food. Depending on the corals that you are keeping. Corals takes in food that are micron in size. There are commercial ones that are easy to use in that you just have to squirt a few drop at a time. These need to be kept in your freezer.

Live stock. There are farms that sell mated confirmed pair clown but I have forgotten which farm was it but I know that the farm is located in the western side of SG.

Limsteel, will you be using a sump tank?

[limsteel]

Here is my 2ft tank... adding Coral slowly...