5 Gallon Starter?

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reing7299

New Member
I have had a 5 gallon mini-bow tank for at least 4 years and it has always been freshwater. You can find this tank here: http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...3B-7BD9-DC11-AA92-001422107090&utm_source=cse

I have been seriously considering trying saltwater, but don’t have the funds or space for a large tank (I eventually want a biocube/aquapod). Would it be possible for a beginner to make a functioning SW tank from 5 gallons. I don’t expect a lot (if any) creatures, but wouldn’t mind doing just some live rock and plant-type deals—basic reef I do believe. I think the biggest problem at the moment is the lighting. The tank just usese a 10-15 watt screw in style lightbulb. I am using a Whisper 5 gallon filter that hangs over the edge (not the one shown). I have a very small heater, that will be replaced because it is defunct.

So if it is possible to convert this tank what would I need supply wise and what is the best to get for cost/quality and also the real question is it even possible or should I try something bigger (I have a complete FW 20gal that has no stand, a 10 gal hex-never used but only the tank and light)

thanks
 
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SaltWaterNewb

Member
Well, it is doable but the biggest thing that you will encounter is that in such a small tank mistakes will be greatly magnified. If you research and learn as much as you can about SW before even putting water in the tank you will be ahead of the game. Also go to the members tanks section and look around at the other 5g tank setups and that will give you a good idea as what equipment you should look at and what you might be able to do with your tank. I would like to do a 5 gallon myself, maybe once I get my 10g up and running.
 
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reing7299

New Member
So I Have A Plan

So here is my plan for my 5 gallon mini-bow tank...

I need to make a splash guard for my tank but I'm waiting for warmer weather... and warmer weather to start this hole shenagians.

Supplies
a new filter-- AquaClear 20 power filter w/ the surface skimmer attachment
hydrometer and digital thermometer
hydor theo 25w heater
ocean master test kit
a new light (i found a coralife 50/50 style w/ the screw in type attachment, for my hood)

probably 6-8 lbs live sand
and i'm not 100% on the LR, but i'm thinking like 3 softball sized peices and maybe 1 big and a little rubble

then for...
Livestock
2 astrea snails
2 nassarius (sp?) snails
1 blue leg hemit
1-2 peppermint shrimp

1 star polyp
1 pulsing xenia
1 mushroom (hopefully really bright and pretty)

then i'm thinking either a royal gramma and/or a firefish and/or goby
maybe a combination of any of the above

and probably a starfish

sound okay or needs tweaking let me know please.
 
J

JakeKM

New Member
TBH i wouldn't keep fish in a tank that size, but thats just me and i still have alot to learn about this hobby....
 
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SaltWaterNewb

Member
You need to research the fish if you have not already to make sure you can have them in a small tank. As far as everything else, I would highly suggest you get a refractometer instead of a hydrometer. Also API test kits are the better kit to get. Accurate and very easy to use.
 
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reing7299

New Member
sweet thanks... i read that firefish are ok for a 5 gallon. also i wasn't planning on all three probably just one of them. i've seen some nano's on here with multiply fishies and was surprised honestly...

thanks a bunch
 
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Ritsuko N

New Member
I have to agree with JakeKM as a tank this small would be best done with no fish unless its something like a Citron Goby, Clown Goby, Green Banded Goby or High Fin Red Banded Goby all of which are very tiny fish.

That CUC should be about right for a tank that small and is a good selection diversity wise. Not sure about the starfish though in a tank that small especially with tiny fish like the ones I have recommended. If you go with something such as a Shrimp Goby that does well with a Pistol Shrimp as a comensural Shrimp then I would delete the Pepermint Shrimp in that case. Such a combination would make for a very striking display as well too!

The corals are excellent choices! All are very adaptable to a Nano tank this size. As for the Mushrooms you might be best off buying single loose polyps if your LFS sells them that way. Most do and they can usually be had for 5.00 a piece. This is a great way to get some mushrooms in nice striking colors. In a tank like this you could have several different mushroom polyps. I buy all of my mushrooms this way and allow them to drift about the tank and settle and attach to a bit of substrate then super glue them to a rock of my choice. A small Frag of some colorful Zoanthids would probably fit in really well too and those come in eye popping colors as well. If you can go with the 20 watt coralife screw in Power Compact then I would also suggest a Ricordia or two. These can be purchased resonably from www.reeftopia.com (Ricordias) and look pretty nice and should fair well under a 20 watt bulb in a tank this small and shallow.

In a tank this small...a Refractometer might not be a bad idea as your going to really have to keep up on the water params. You might be able to get by with the dip in the tank ones such as the Instant Ocean one but something a bit more precise would be recommended although not an absolute neccessity.

5-6 lbs of Live Rock should be the target here on your tank. Keep in mind though that your corals will most likely come on pieces of Live Rock too and this should be calculated in to the mix as well other wise you will find yourself having such a small tank crammed full of rock. Im not sure but I am thinking more like 8-10 lbs of sand for your tank would be a good safe bet. I have seen now these days where Live Sand is now being sold in smaller 10 lbs bags (not sure of the weight as I havent looked at them that close...) this might be just the ticket for you and would definitely add lots of much needed benificial bacteria to help jump start a new tank set up.

Just some things to consider...HTH's
 
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reing7299

New Member
so thanks so much for all the help. i wasn't ignoring it, i moved out of my parents and that has been kind of choatic i still have my tank sitting at home waiting to be moved. so yea...

thanks for all the help i like the idea of the shrimp goby w/ the pistol shrimp. sounds awesome.
 
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reing7299

New Member
is the AquaClear 20 going to have enough water movement? it moves 100 GPH.

i also don't know if it filters from the bottom and the surface skimmer attachement or only the top.

also can i use a heater that attatches to the tank or should i use one that is completely submersible? i'm worried about if i have a shrimp and it gets burned or anything.. unless they are smarter than that.
 
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SaltWaterNewb

Member
The 20 should be enough or you could bump up to the AC30. If this will be the only source of water movement in the tank I would go for the AC30. As far as the heater, see if you can find one that is small enough to fit inside the filter that way it is out of the main tank and you don't have to worry about anything getting burned.

As far as how the AC filters, I am not sure I understand what you are asking. The intake is about 1/2 down in to the tank so it pulls in water from the center area of the tank and the output dumps the water on to the surface. Not sure if that answered your question. The out put does a great job of agitating the surface for good gas exchange and prevents nasty build up.
 
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reing7299

New Member
they make a filter attatchment for the AC filters that skims the surface of the water... if the output aggiates the water enough then it really isn't necessary.

i was just worried that if the skimmer attatchemtn diverts the intake completely to the top or if it splits it.

also do you think a splash guard will be necessary or can i get by without it for a while. it is kind of what is holding me back at the moment (along with lighting). the tank has a hood but does have a decent amout of evaporation but i worry about to much heat building up with it.
 
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SaltWaterNewb

Member
Ok, I see. I think that those do allow water to enter from the bottom as well in case the water level of the tank drops below the top of the skimmer intake. I have no issues in my 10g by just using the output of the AC70. Keeps the surface moving nicely and no scum.

Again, I don't use a splash guard and I don't have too much problems but I do loose about 1/2g per day in a 10g tank. Perhaps a strip of glass across the top but with opening around the edge or acrylic with a few holes drilled would help prevent some evaporation but still allow gas exchange and release of heat.
 
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reing7299

New Member
I know everyone sprays the back of their tanks black usually. is it just plain ole' spray paint?

Tim~

Since you apparently live in the MidWest like I do, do you have issues keeping the temperature stable due to outside conditions (winter and such)?

Thanks!
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
I live about 30 mile west of Chicago and to compensate for the drop in temperatures I just have a multiple heaters to compensate for the drop in air temperature. But honestly if you house is at 70 degrees then your tank won't drop too far below that if at all.

For the spray paint a lot of people like Krylon. Just make sure that the paint is water proof and that you let the paint dry and cure completely. In stead of painting there are products that are semi adhesive that you put on and can change if you choose to, just a thought.
 
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reing7299

New Member
What is the verdict on Candy Cane corals in small tanks? The more pictures I see of them the more interested I am in them.
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
I say they do quite well. Lighting requirements aren't that high, plus you can supplement via feedings if need be.
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
The site states:
This kit also fits the 12g and 24g Nano Cube Aquariums (modifications required). The bulb and socket assembly are only 13.25" total length.

So I don't think it would be an issue, also the site says the reflector is 14". So should be fine, but I would send an email or call the seller to double check.
 
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