New to Saltwater

[dwils540]

Hey all!

I was just gifted a 5.5 gallon aquarium and want to turn it into a nano reef tank. I am aware that nano tanks have mixed reviews in the saltwater hobby. I have been in the freshwater side of the hobby for 15 years so I have a good handle on cycling and other maintenance requirements. I’m asking to see what equipment you would think is best and potential stocking ideas when I get to that point. Thank you!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Many of us here have nanos ( I have a 2g and a 20g). For fish? Stick to smaller fish like gobbies would be fine in a tank that size. Check out Live aquaria. They have recommended fish for nano tanks, and the minimum tank size is required. Also, check this thread out too! https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cool-and-unique-fish-for-a-5-gallon-nano.988406/page-2

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

A nano tank of that size can be challenging to keep, but there's a lot of great info and help here on the forum. (FYI: generally speaking, small tanks are actually harder to maintain than a larger tank). I'd suggest you check out some other member's tanks in the Nano section of R2R. You can see what others are keeping in similar sized tanks, get a feel for what you want your tank to be, and then you can start selecting equipment to meet that goal.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs.89/

Whatever direction you go, best of luck with your new tank!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

In the salt hobby, experienced hobbyists take on a 5 gallon for a fun "challenge" lol. Its also something more of a species tank or a specialty tank, focusing on certain corals. Its almost impossible to have a "mixed" reed with only 5 gallons

Rocks and a small powerhead are the biofilter, frequent water changes will be the main 'export' source. I kept a 5 gallon invert tank like this for a few years. You can use a hob filter if you want but it takes a lot of space on a 5 gallon, any equipment will take a lot of space. Need to fit a heater in there too.

The available livestock for that tank is very limited, even most crabs and most shrimp need more than 7" of space. The fish you can put in that tank don't swim, they just sit or perch all day. Salt fish are also very territorial so its hard to mix and match, more so in a smaller tank.

Here is an introduction article that explains most basic reef equipment. Good luck.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[kevgib67]

Good advice already given but welcome, glad you are here!

 

[resortez]

Welcome. I second Mr mojo & read, read, read & read some more. When you’re done reading, read more. No matter how long or how much experience has been acquired, there’s always something new to learn. The big parts about saltwater, good water flow. Plenty of current where debris gets push up & not allowed to settle. Temperature stability, good lighting, good CUC (clean up crew aka inverts) & the main key, good husbandry practices. One thing I wished I was told at the beginning of my trip into this hobby, understanding fish diseases, treatments & treatment procedures. Good luck

 

[lil sumpin]

There's no mixed reviews about nanos, they're awesome! If you're able to start with something a bit bigger say 20 or even 40, go for that instead. It'll be much more forgiving and enjoyable and you wont run out of space too quick either. Welcome to R2R!

 

[kvansloo]

Welcome.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Welcome to R2R!
Something like a 5g is a challenge, but it is a crash course on reefkeeping. Things can happen fast, both good and bad. If you can master a 5g then you will have a good handle on the marine aquarist. After a hiatus I got back into the hobby with a 6g temperate tank. For that I used a canister filter as a remote filter. (you probably have one around)