7.5 Gallon Minimalist Reef

TriggersAmuck · Jul 1, 2021

So I actually started this tank needing a good container for curing some newly acquired live rock from GulfLiveRock.com (here in Tampa) with the intent of moving a few pieces of rock over to my 20g Waterbox Anemone/Goby/Ricordea tank to promote some diversity. Well, you know how utility tanks usually turn out....they turn into mega diverse full blown reefs! Not quite that anyways. By minimalist, I mean low in time commitment, not too much equipment, low risk of overflow (like none), and not too $$$. I mean this isn't dirt cheap, that would be a Petco 2 foot tank, a small HOB filter, a black box light or simple desktop light, and a heater. But this isn't much more than that. This is the type of tank that if I decided I was divesting out of the hobby, I could still hang on to this little dealie and not feel too bad/guilty/etc. And besides that, where else can one keep a one off nasty damsel all to their self?

The Tunze 3161 filter is really quite an impressive little device, acting as a surface skimmer and filter all in one. The tiny Archea heater fits neatly in the back of the filter.

I added the Eheim Skim350 for some extra flow, and its ability to clean up surface film (better than the Tunze) at such a low cost is really wonderful. The inlet floats on the surface and so can automatically adjust to changing waterline heights. This device should not be confused with a proper skimmer nor overflow, but for the price the benefit is crazy. Having removed the sponge from the Skim350 it also gives me a way to maintain lower circulation while feeding in conjunction with turning off the Tunze for those short periods.

Tank specs:

Tank: Mr. Aqua low iron, 12 x 12 x 12 inches, 7.5 gallons.................................... $85
Filtration and flow: Tunze Comline 3161 surface/box filter.................................$54
"" - Eheim Skim350 surface skimmer......................................................................$28
Lights: AI Prime HD, 13 LEDs..................................................................................$150
Live Rock: Gulf Live Rock designer nano rock, 17 lbs..........................................$114
Heater: Archaea Mini Heater (25W).........................................................................$29