6.5 Gallon Nano Reef

[bclark1289]

I plan to start a nano reef out of a cylinder tank I have laying around. What are some good corals to put in my small setup?

 

[60squared]

No clue man

 

[bclark1289]

Thinking simple. Maybe ill do just zoas for the most part

 

[justjosh012]

It all depends on what other equipment you will be using and how much time you want to put into it. People have done really cool things with really small tanks. to keep things simple zoa's, mushrooms, many different softies should do OK

 

[bclark1289]

Was planning on peobably all softies. This is my first nano. Will have heater, powerhead and do weekly water changes

 

[bclark1289]

Something like this

 

[justjosh012]

thats really all you need if stay ontop of your salinity and water changes. Make sure you get the most porous rock you can find to maximize your biological filtration.

 

[bclark1289]

Any suggestions as to type to look at?

 

[justjosh012]

Nothing in particular, if you have a decent LFS just pick a rock that is light for its size and visually full of holes and whatnot. what you're trying to do is get as much surface area as possible for beneficial bacteria.

 

[bclark1289]

Got sand, instant ocean, and crushed coral for the tank. Added the heater and powerhead waiting to find a LED and rock before mxing the water

 

[60squared]

I wouldnt recomend sand in a tank that size

 

[bclark1289]

Its in between two layers of crushed coral

 

[bclark1289]

My progress so far

 

[bclark1289]

Any ideas for an LED for this size reef

 

[Oscaror]

Great beginner corals would be zoanthids!

 

[bclark1289]

So I added just plain water to the tank to let things settle and see what it looks like

 

[bclark1289]

Now I just need to decide what equipment to add to it. Not much room in it though

 

[grumpy-crab]

I think simplicity would be best. So a simple HOB filter and just do small but frequent water changes and top offs.

 

[bclark1289]

Trusted source and buddy of mine said to just forego the filter and do small daily water changes of a couple cups. I'm pretty sure its going to be a small zoa garden and that's it.

 

[grumpy-crab]

How do you plan on getting circulation/ flow?