Giving it a second try

[reefydude360]

I’ve had alot of freshwater fish in the past and had my first salt water aquarium about a few years ago. I really had the system going until I did a few rookie mistakes and my tank crashed for the first time. As a highschooler I didnt have much money to start over easily so I gave up. Few years later I’ve never lost the feeling of getting another tank and my girlfriend’s betta fish recently died so she has an empty 5g and I just thought, what if i make a pico tank. It would be just a coral and small invert tank as im aware a fish would be too much bioload for a tank this size. Im not exactly a total rookie as I did alot of research the first time around I got into reefing but im still a major noob so I decided to come join this forum as recommended by some people. I’ve read protein skimmers shouldnt really be used in tanks so small and that hob canister filters eventually just end up becoming nitrate factories. If im not mistaken then, as far as actual equipment all I need is good lighting and a power head to maintain good turnover and for filtration, live sand and rock and weekly water changes? If so, what powerheads would you suggest? For lighting im considering the light in the link below. The light description mentions its sufficient for all except high light sps corals, is this accurate? Any other light fixtures that you would recommend for a 5g pico? Lastly what sort of clean up crew would be good for a tank this size? Sorry for all the questions guys and thanks in advance! Any and all advice is welcome

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/za-1201-aqua-system-series-pico-led-light-zetlight.html

 

[Seawitch]

Welcome reefydude360. We're happy to have you here and I'm sure a bunch of people will jump in to answer your questions.

 

[Jeight]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[RIreefGuy]

Welcome to R2R! I have a 3.4 that's been running for a few months. 1 neon dottyback, a few snails and hermits and easy corals. Gsp, Kenya tree, zoas etc. I even have a small monti cap at the top. I run an aquaclear 70 that's modded as a refugium for all the flow and have the light below in a desk lamp over the tank. Im slacking on my build thread but there is a little more info there.Going great so far. Keep us posted on progress and keep the questions coming!

ABI LED Aquarium Light Bulb, 23W Blue and White PAR38 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073V64KC9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6xiUCb6WRSBWZ

 

[BeejReef]

How cool! Welcome back. Great plan to indoctrinate the gf early on in the relationship

You'll know if "she's the one" or not after this tank is a smashing success and you suggest moving up to a 90g cube!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Thanks for joining. Read and ask and will avoid those pesky tank crashes

 

[lapin]

Howdy

I’ve read protein skimmers shouldnt really be used in tanks so small and that hob canister filters eventually just end up becoming nitrate factories.

No need for a skimmer. Water changes are fine. Canisters do not generate nitrate. They will gather it so you can dump it by changing the filter media.

If im not mistaken then, as far as actual equipment all I need is good lighting and a power head to maintain good turnover and for filtration, live sand and rock and weekly water changes? If so, what powerheads would you suggest?

For a 5g you might try the smallest Jebao wave maker with controller if your hang on the back filter is not enough water movement.

For lighting im considering the light in the link below. The light description mentions its sufficient for all except high light sps corals, is this accurate? Any other light fixtures that you would recommend for a 5g pico?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/za-1201-aqua-system-series-pico-led-light-zetlight.html

That should work for low light and some softies.

Lastly what sort of clean up crew would be good for a tank this size? Sorry for all the questions guys and thanks in advance! Any and all advice is welcome

A few fancy snails. If you want some mini hermits then skip the snails.

 

[reefydude360]

Well I decided to go with a 10g instead of a 5g as they take pretty much the same space xD. I decided to go on and basically copy what the youtuber Inappropriate reefer did in his budget reef tank series except I need a fan for hot days instead of a heater here in PR and started with one dry and one live rock instead of both dry. Gonna start cycling today. And ordered a refractometer as that hydrometer is kinda funky with the measurements.