Nano Coral Tank for girlfriend- specifics?

[kingkapoor]

Girlfriend is brand new to the hobby. I have been doing fish and invert only aquariums for just over a year now.
She wants to use my old hermitcrab and shrimp QT tank for a nano coral only tank (4 gallons).

I am relatively new to coral so I am just trying to think of the specifics.

A) Since it is a 4 gallon tank we should not need a protein skimmer? Just change the water regularly (thinking like 0.5 gallons once every 5 days).
We would do water top offs manually with RODI water, by marking a line and monitoring it. I am not too worried about this since the glass top minimized the evaporation when I used it as a snail/shrimp/crab QT.
B) She can use my fish parameter testing kits, what else will she need to test?
I have Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH, and salinity testing for my fish.
C) Compartments : There are three compartments in the back. One is for the pump + heater, the other has just black foam. Can I replace this with Chaeto and copepods, slap a light on the back side as a mini refugium instead?
D) Circulation pump/fan, what should I use for this? For my fish only almost any generic suction cup or magnet pump works.
E) Food for the coral since nothing else is going in there?
F) Can I put some basic inverts in there (few hermit crabs?)
G) What are the best corals to start with. I have some experience with zoanthids but I dont find them attractive.

 

[DeniseAndy]

It will be considered a pico aquarium and it will be fine. First off, you will not need to cycle the aquarium if you use some rock from your current reef system. Makes life easier and you can start adding corals and other inverts right away.

Protein skimmer not needed. Just add some rubble (from current reef or fresh rubble rock (if using your rock in main tank) in back for further filtration, a sponge, maybe some chemipure blue and you you are good to go.

Doing changes every so often (5 days) is just great. Top off daily and you should be all set.
Have fun! Would love to see more pics when she gets some corals in.