Soo, Im really reading into Saltwater keeping, Im going to set one up here soon i think. Does the watts per gallon rule apply? im planning on buying a t5ho set up i found and its 75 watts for a 10gallon tank. The tank set up im going to attempt is 10-15 lbs live rock, PFS substrate. and maybe some
Mushrooms & Polyps.. as far as fish i dont know that ill have any. Only one i think would work in a 10 is a clown fish but i donno yet i havent read up that far... i plan some snails and little crabs.. I know a 10 isnt the best idea for a new guy in salt. however i keep my several freshwater tanks going and clean. Im aware this tank will need every day attention. but i love the idea of having a saltwater tank on my computer desk with me LOL. thanks for the help

FWIW the saltwater equilivant of FW plants is macro algae.

You might look to using some macro to give a saltwater equilivant to a fw planted tank.

just a thought

worth at most .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

You really won't need that much light, but at least with that much, you would be able to keep any coral you chose. There is actually quite a few fish you could keep in the 10 that are reef safe. Might I suggest a 20g, as you have a bit more variety the begin with, nad its a bit longer, little more stable. But, 10g will do. either a 10 or a 20, weekly water changes and you won't need a skimmer. Powerhead that will move 150-200gph, and I believe your off and running. Macro Algae, as stated above, most use in their sumps, as this does not look very good in a display tank. But, with that tank size there is no need for one.
Marine Plants: Saltwater Plants, Aquarium Marine Algae and Turtle Grass
Saltwater Aquarium Corals for Marine Reef Aquariums: Nano Corals
Nano Fish

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Thanks you two for the good info ill look into that Macro Algae, Never thought about it before. thanks a bunch!

think maybe with that Macro Algae I could make a Moss wall with it. Cover the Background in an Algae wall? could be interesting looking who knows when i get this set up ill add some photos. Hopefully within the month

what I did with me 55g was cram in a 1/4" square plastic grid (egg crate lighting diffuser) 3" in front of my back glass and add some shop lights pointing forward. Them put the rock, sand, fish and corals in front.

What I did was very similar to a moss wall as I put chaeto and caulerpa macro algaes between the egg crate and back glass. So the macros expanded and kinda formed a moss wall.

nitrates and phosphates dropped to 0 in a few weeks and my two tangs were constantly graizing on the macros the poked through the egg crate. and pods thrived also to provide some food for smaller fish as well.

my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

that sounds like a great idea. Sorry it takes me so long to reply... between work and school my free time is spent keeping my wife happy LOL..

You take all the time you need to respond. Life outside of these forums is more important. Just ask your wifie

my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden