Setting up a 5G mangrove tank

[RyanCSGO]

Next to my display tank is a small shelf that has my dosing pump and containers in it. The top is empty and in trying to come up with something to place on it I thought to myself.. why not use my 5G tank and make a mangrove display.

What I’m curious about what type/how bad of a cycle would happen. I want to plumb it into my sump.
Anyone added something like this to their display before?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Anyone added something like this to their display before?

No, but I have done a lot of dumb things.

If you use bagged live sand and tank water you should be fine.
A lot of dry sand or dry rock I'd be worried about. But not much. Like tossing in dry rock into a sump to cure. Where it's from how Clean it is etc will will determine the impact on the system and well as the amount any volume of the system.

 

[RyanCSGO]

No, but I have done a lot of dumb things.

If you use bagged live sand and tank water you should be fine.
A lot of dry sand or dry rock I'd be worried about. But not much. Like tossing in dry rock into a sump to cure. Where it's from how Clean it is etc will will determine the impact on the system and well as the amount any volume of the system.

Well the plan is to use new bagged live sand. Do a small 5 gallon water change in the main display and use the old water in the mangrove tank.
It”ll be on the small shelf unit just need to figure out a way to do the lighting that doesn’t take anything visually away from the display

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My OCD would make me start pricing another prime.

 

[RyanCSGO]

My OCD would make me start pricing another prime.

That was my first thought haha.
Trying to keep it relatively cheap. Then again might be nice to have all the lighting running on the exact same schedule

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lol. Well, you could look used.

 

[ndrwater]

I was just talking about doing this exact thing today. I got a +/- 12g AIO tank from Advanced Acrylics at Reefapalooza and was wondering what to do with it. Since my wife has been bugging me to consolidate all my fish "stuff" somewhere.
Being a cabinet maker, figured I'd build something to hold not only the "stuff" but the tank as well.
My LFS Amazing Aquariums and Reefs has just such a setup. Couple of mangroves, couple of rocks, and a painted angler. Keeping a fish like the angler in all by himself allows for keeping a really cool fish without worrying about his tank mates becoming lunch while having a great way for nutrient export in the main system with the mangroves.

 

[RyanCSGO]

I was just talking about doing this exact thing today. I got a +/- 12g AIO tank from Advanced Acrylics at Reefapalooza and was wondering what to do with it. Since my wife has been bugging me to consolidate all my fish "stuff" somewhere.
Being a cabinet maker, figured I'd build something to hold not only the "stuff" but the tank as well.
My LFS Amazing Aquariums and Reefs has just such a setup. Couple of mangroves, couple of rocks, and a painted angler. Keeping a fish like the angler in all by himself allows for keeping a really cool fish without worrying about his tank mates becoming lunch while having a great way for nutrient export in the main system with the mangroves.

Ali is awesome. His new mangrove addition is what gave me the idea to do mine. He’s the only store I shop at.

 

[mort]

If your worried about a cycle I'd just not connect the two and run a powerhead in the new tank. It might mean a slightly lower level for a while but you can test the water to see if it's a problem before connecting it fully.