Any articles/write-ups/how-to’s for sub 5G setups?

D

Darold

New Member
I have a little so far (My own 20L and worked at a SW fish store), but I need some serious help. I am planning on setting up a 5 gallon or less. Rather than go as large as I can afford, I want the challenge of going as small as reasonably possible. I am doing this so that I may guide my gf on her attempt to do the same thing. I want her to have a coral tank that she can afford and has room for on her desk. I have researched many forums, hard text, and magazines. I found one good article that even listed 1/2 gallon setups. However, I have not been able to find a complete writeup about the setup and maintenance of a smaller tank. This may be because such a tank is not recomended for begginers.

Please direct me to some information that will help me set up my own pico tank. Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to not only being a part of this community, but also bringing in my GF to the hobby.
 
djconn

djconn

New Member
Welcome to nanotank.com! Thats a great idea to get the girlfriend involved. It makes the whole thing so much more enjoyable if both of you find this hobby interesting. I recently got my GF involved as well and very glad I did. She might know more than me now!

I think starting off with a small tank is the perfect way to go and I think you'll find the transition easy since you've already got some SW experience. So I guess a few questions like what size do you think you'll go with? What corals do you want to keep? A 5.5 or 2.5 would probably be the best route b/c filters and lighting are pretty easy and affordable at that size.
 
D

Darold

New Member
Well, I was planning on setting up a 2.5 gallon but decided to go with a 5.5 instead. I was only planning to keep some soft corals and maybe a shrimp or Arrow crab to liven up the tank. I got the tank yesterday and have had it running so I plan to add Live Rock soon now that I can see everything is stable. I hope I have the discipline to not only take care of the tank, but also to have a detailed tank diary so that I can share my experience with everyone. Its not very interesting right now, but I will take pictures once the rock is in. I am thinking of going with Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock if Hurricane Charlie did not hurt business to bad.

I have been re-reading every saltwater book I own, but does anyone have any nano specific literature? I have found information for tanks as small as 20G, but I know a 5.5 and even smaller to a .75 (Something I would like to attempt after the 5.5 is going strong) are much different.
 
djconn

djconn

New Member
Incysor had said a few months ago that CORAL magazine's 2nd issue was focused on nanotanks. I would check that out. You can directly buy back issues for $10.00 I've heard. I was thinking about picking it up as well. Let us know what you find out.

The second issue is out, and is focused on nano tanks. I've only skimmed the mag so far, but there seems to be some really good info in it.

http://coralmagazine.com/

Brian
Click to expand...
 
D

Darold

New Member
The temporary rock is in. I am happy with its shape, but there is not enough of it. I am still planning on purchasing a much higher quality rock later on from either, TBS, LiveAquaria, or phishybusiness. I have had the rock in for a few hours now (Just got back from poker tonight. Even though my mind was on my tank, I still broke exactly even).I just tested the water, and here are the results:

Salinity 32
Specific G. 1.024
Temp 79
PH 8.1
Amonia .5
Nitrite < .03
Nitrate ? (I don't have a test kit for this yet)



I only have a few questions:

1) How can I move the anemone higher to get more light? I don't want to stress or damage it.

2) Should I go ahead and purchase higher quality live rock online at this stage?

3) If I do get better live rock, how can I safely relocate the anemone while it is re-curing (I plan on getting pre-cured live rock).

4) Is there anything else I should be looking at right now that I may have overlooked?

5) Does this look like I am in the begining stages of a cycle? Why would my tank be cycling if the rock came out of an established tank? I know that I will expereince a cycle when I get rock from offline even if it is cured, but why is this rock cycling? Should I change the water during the cycling? (I know this might be a dangerous Q to ask)
As promised, here are some pictures:






Thank You.
 
D

Darold

New Member
Update:

This morning I woke up and checked all my water parameters. Only the PH was off, and I attributed this to the fluctuations from night/day. I went to the LFS (The Fish Store and More in Atlanta). They re-checked my water and agreed that it looked great except for PH. I was given the green light to go ahead and get some more rock. Although I do plan on getting some offline soon, I bought one piece from them that was covered with life. I also grabbed a feather duster, fire shrimp, and a few hermits and snails. I have a few questions about the day though:


A) The store recommended I destroy my anemone. Should I? They claimed it would reproduce and take over the tank. Do you all agree? (See #2 in the picture below)

B) Here is the piece of rock I bought. Can anyone quickly Identify what is on it? I see some type of algae, a ton of bristleworms, but what are the other things? (Sorry for the large picture)


I am especially confused about these hairlike worms that are on the rock. I have either not read about them before in my research or can't remember. (#4 - two examples)

C) Should I be afraid of these bristleworms? Some people seem to think they serve a purpose. I have counted at least three so far, but I am sure there are more.

D) I belive I acclimated everything to the tank exactly as I should, but are there any other precautions I should take over the next few hours/days? I need to add more saltwater to replace the water I removed in acclimation, but think I should wait a while until everything gets unstressed from the move.


Here is a full tank shot that I took while I was waiting for some things to finish acclimating. I will post a finished picture very soon.



Again, thank you not only for your advice, but also in looking at my tank.
 
D

Darold

New Member
The end result. Well, I plan on taking out the boring peices of rock and adding more lively ones of course later, but this is how the tank will look for a few weeks.

 
djconn

djconn

New Member
Looking good and moving right along. I believe you're doing everything right so far. Just keep things nice and slow. I wouldn't add any more corals or rock until the inital cycle is over which should be in 2-4 weeks (maybe even longer). I would think the new sand and even just the fact that water is in a new tank and on the rock will produce a small cycle. If you've been using primarly cured rock, cycle time will be less.

I would keep the anemone (I think its a simple condilaytic) right where it is. No need to stress or move it. It will move by itself it it wants to. Actually, that might become a problem in the future with that size tank. Try to keep him away from powerheads and intakes, etc. Looks like you might have already moved him..no biggie. I don't think it will reproduce and take over your tank. It might just be a challenge keeping him healthy in that size nano.

As for the other IDs:


  • 1) either a small cabbage leather or sponge?
    2) condilaytic anemone?
    3) possibly an apitista (bad!)
    4) white (spahgetthi) worms. these are good and usually live in sand
    5) green bubble algae (will have to eventually remove)
    6) green zoanthids. nice!
    7) green mushroom

Bristleworms are generally considered good for your tank. They are scavengers will prob. come out at night mostly. Just make sure they get out of control and they will be fine.

I would wait to do a water change but maybe only for a week or so. Check the params and go from there.

Oh, do you have a powerhead in there yet? What is the other equipment in your tank? How much was the coral piece you bought. My guess is $30? Nice pics! Keep us updated.
 
D

Darold

New Member
DjConn, first let me say I have been eyeing your tanks, and they were an inspiration for me to start this nano. Currently I plan on slowing things down a lot. I will keep an eye on the parameters. If they get bad I will change the water, but I expect they should get a little better.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
D

Darold

New Member
I am considering purchasing a regugium for my 5.5 AGA. I would like it to be big enough to relocate my heater if this is possible. As you can see in the pictures, the heater takes up way too much space in the tank. What are my best options for a quality refugium in a tank of this size? Because of the layout of my apartment and where I have decided to place my tank, a HOB fuge seems to be my only option. Although I can move the tank away from the wall some more, the HOB fuge would have to fit in the rest of the usable space. Thank you again for your time.



 
D

Darold

New Member
That is exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for the link. I hope it will fit with my current filter (Or should I remove the current one?)
 
K

Karita

New Member
Wow, Darold - I can't believe how quickly you put that tank up!! How are your water parameters looking??
 
D

Darold

New Member
I used cured live rock from an already established tank. My parameters aren't great, but aren't dangerous. Looks like I am going through some sort of mini cycle would be my guess. I am going to keep up with water changes to make sure the nitrite levels don't get too out of hand, but I will let them rise to levels that aren't unsafe to make sure that a cycle does occur. I have some great pics to share with you guys later today :)
 
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