smallest possible tank

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

Ok I've always loved nano and Pico tanks so I decided I want to start getting some ideas on my own from you guys. I'm thinking a cube for sure. I want a challenge here I'm talking what's the smallest tank + sump possible? I do want a sump of some sort to hide my equipment as the display tank is going to be so small it would take up all the space and just look bad. I am planning on putting an ato because I know something this small will need to be topped of several times a day. So could you guys help me with some ideas? Equipment? Etc.

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

Oh and I forgot to mention the only stocking will be a peppermint shrimp, hermit or two, and a couple snails

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

What I really need help on is what is the best equipment for this type of build? I want a light to grow zoas that's all

Ebone · Sep 10, 2015

I think I saw a guy with a 10 gallon and a 5 sump on here somewhere, smaller ones but never saw with a sump

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

What I would really like is something like a 3 gallon cube with a 5 gallon sump I think that would be awesome!

Dtackett · Sep 10, 2015

had a guy run one of those plastic 1 gallon betta tanks from petsmart, drilled the bottom and ran it into a second 1 gallon tank. used a 12V water pump for the return and a second 12V water pump for circulation. hydor smart level ato with a 5 gallon bucket with the "sump" sitting on top of the bucket to save room. had 2 t10 5 chip leds for the light source. was really a "hey wanna bet this will work" setup but it worked great. also know another guy whos got 5 5 gallon tanks all plumbed into a 20 gallon sump. you cant see anything but the 5 tanks positioned in a bow. its pretty sweet. but that dudes 1 gallon is just crazy. 1 big rock completely covered in rastas.

Tahoe61 · Sep 10, 2015

I like Mr.Aqua tanks like the 7.5 gallon

http://www.marinedepot.com/Mr._Aqua...Cube_Aquariums-Mr._Aqua-AZ1133-FIAQRC-vi.html

Dtackett · Sep 10, 2015

one of my buddies has 2 of his long tanks (I think 12 gallon) he loves them. says very high quality.

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

1 gallon!? That's so crazy!!

Tahoe61 said:
I like Mr.Aqua tanks like the 7.5 gallon

http://www.marinedepot.com/Mr._Aqua...Cube_Aquariums-Mr._Aqua-AZ1133-FIAQRC-vi.html

I will check these out for sure

dan987 · Sep 10, 2015

IMHO, the bigger the sump, the better. If you can put a 20g sump under it, why not? That will make everything so much less painful and more enjoyable.

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

dan987 said:
IMHO, the bigger the sump, the better. If you can put a 20g sump under it, why not? That will make everything so much less painful and more enjoyable.

It's just the challenge of it honestly I know it would be easier but the challenge is very attractive to me

Dtackett · Sep 10, 2015

yeah, 1 gallon. hes got a decent amount of maintenance he does daily. he only added the ahe set it up because he got tired of topping off so often lol. but with that tank being so small he checks salinity twice a day, water change every other day. but considering its just zoas its not so bad. takes him about 5 minutes a day.

Reef Fever · Sep 10, 2015

little tank i built awhile back. its not just a simple macro algae tank with a mantis

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/project-frankenstein.101501/

nano reef i posted better updates, good stuff is on the last few pages
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/326528-45-gallon-trimmadise/

jared graves · Sep 10, 2015

Reef Fever said:
little tank i built awhile back. its not just a simple macro algae tank with a mantis

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/project-frankenstein.101501/
Awesome thanks!

nano reef i posted better updates, good stuff is on the last few pages
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/326528-45-gallon-trimmadise/

Reef Fever · Sep 10, 2015

did you mean to write something? lol

Ahruk · Sep 10, 2015

You should google vase reef tanks if you're looking for a real challenge. Those things are unbelievable. They're also featured in this quarters editions of Reef Hobbyist Magazine.

jared graves · Sep 11, 2015

Reef Fever said:
did you mean to write something? lol

Ya haha "awesome thanks"

jared graves · Sep 11, 2015

Ahruk said:
You should google vase reef tanks if you're looking for a real challenge. Those things are unbelievable. They're also featured in this quarters editions of Reef Hobbyist Magazine.

That sounds like something I need to check out.....

Ahruk · Sep 11, 2015

here's a video of one

Honestly am just amazed by it and want to see more of them

brandon429 · Sep 11, 2015

That bowl is by my friend Maritza the vase reef and the work is stellar. Those sps in there make me jealous.

vase reef vs any other tank:

a vase reef beats any sized reef tank there is for salinity stability... How does going a week without topoff sound compared to typical tanks (does not use ato, uses special lid sealing)

the animals you listed are perfect for it, fish aren't.

To make a vase reef live 10+ yrs you simply feed it once a week and do a 100% wc about an hour later, every week.

These are the lowest price most stable pico reef that will grow sps without fail, they are tall enough to house and hide full heaters so temp stability is accounted for there as well