Starting a new 5-gallon reef tank what do I put inside??

[Formulator]

Well, in my last tank everything was going perfect but soon I found out my school was shutting down and I had a very rough and busy year so I couldn't keep up with everything like water changes and studying but now it's summer and I'm used to my new school, so I'm prepared to restart my tank, ill also upgrade my equipment.

Go to petco when they have dollar per gallon sale and buy the biggest tank you can fit in your space. A 5 gallon tank is way too difficult and you will not be able to put anything you want in it. I know its summer, but school will be back in a couple months and you will not have the time required to keep up a 5 gallon tank. Its seriously not worth the headache when you can get a 40 gallon for $40.

 

[NanoNana]

Well, in my last tank everything was going perfect but soon I found out my school was shutting down and I had a very rough and busy year so I couldn't keep up with everything like water changes and studying but now it's summer and I'm used to my new school, so I'm prepared to restart my tank, ill also upgrade my equipment.

It won’t be summer forever. You’re changing like 8 cups of water. In a tank that size it’s a 10 minute job.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

So, I read some messages and did more research and I'll keep a goby and pistol shrimp combo is that ok?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yup. And there are so many cool inverts. My orange lipped conch is the star of my tank.

Yeah, the list below is decent for inverts, but in a 5 gallon invert only tank you could get even more creative if you could source some unique livestock (like Tanaids or Anthuroidean Isopods, for example):

For some inverts suggestions (all but one of these should be 1" or less max):

-Dwarf Hermit Crabs (Dwarf Red Tips, Dwarf Blue Legs, Dwarf Yellow Tips, Hidden Hermits, Dwarf Zebras, etc.)
-Acropora Crabs (Trapezia spp.)
-Porcelain Crabs (typically Petrolisthes or Neopetrolisthes spp.)
-Pom Pom Crabs
-Micro Brittle Starfish
-Aquilonastra Starfish (these are known in the hobby as Asterina Starfish, and often considered pests because they reproduce so readily and frequently in our tanks).
-Rusalty's (Aquaculture Nursery Farm's) Green Lantern Shrimp
-Bumblebee Shrimp (as a note for these guys, from all verifiable accounts, while they do inspect starfish and seem to feed off of something on the starfish, they don't seem to actually do any damage to the starfish, and they don't seem to actually eat them at all)
-Sexy Shrimp (these guys technically get up to 1 1/2")
-Chitons
-Shellback Crabs (Hypoconcha spp.)
-Skeleton Shrimp (Caprella spp.)

All kinds of "pods" (Copepods, Amphipods, Isopods, etc.) would work. Plenty of snails would work, as would some limpets if you can find them. If you're willing to feed phytoplankton regularly, then you could keep some bivalves (clams, oysters, scallops, etc.), barnacles, and or feather duster worms too, several of which would be small enough to meet the criteria.

I'm sure I've missed some suggestions, but this should be a decent start for you at least.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Is a goby and pistol shrimp combo good?

 

[NanoNana]

Yeah, the list below is decent for inverts, but in a 5 gallon invert only tank you could get even more creative if you could source some unique livestock (like Tanaids or Anthuroidean Isopods, for example):

All amazing creatures. My fire shrimp and my brittle star both eat out of my hand. Would be an awesome little tank.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

ok I think I may try some shrimp any suggestions for a beginner?

 

[mh0ward]

I think a yellow watchman goby and a randalls pistol shrimp would be ok in a 5 gal. Just make sure you’ve got a good size base rock that is sitting on glass, then add the sand. Another option I think would probably be fine would be a small blenny, like a bicolor or tailspot blenny.

 

[NanoNana]

ok I think I may try some shrimp any suggestions for a beginner?

Shrimp plural isn’t a good idea in 5 gallons. Maybe in 125 gallons lol. Shrimp on shrimp violence is a real problem.
Starfish on the other hand are doable. I give my brittle star a small piece of table shrimp once a week. He crawls into my hand to eat it.
Blue legged hermits would be fun in a 5. Give them some empty shells and watch them swap houses all day. Lol

 

[CMMorgan]

You win the internet today.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

I think I'm going with a goby and pistol shrimp combo. For coral I'll go with a small xenia, green star polyps and maybe a zoanthids frag or two.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Go to petco when they have dollar per gallon sale and buy the biggest tank you can fit in your space. A 5 gallon tank is way too difficult and you will not be able to put anything you want in it. I know its summer, but school will be back in a couple months and you will not have the time required to keep up a 5 gallon tank. Its seriously not worth the headache when you can get a 40 gallon for $40.

Yep. A 40G is a great size. You'd be able to do SO much more with it. And bigger tends to be easier to maintain. Small mistakes in a 5G really shows. Not so much in a larger tank.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Fair. I’m a bit out of my depth when it comes to nano tanks. Figured 3 was Ok based on what I’ve seen in other tanks, but perhaps not best practice.

I suggest

With respect

Get a 20 or 30 gallon Aqueon tank

And if that's successful, maybe do the 5 gallon then, like in a year

Or don't. I'm not your boss. Do what you will

 

[NanoNana]

I think I'm going with a goby and pistol shrimp combo. For coral I'll go with a small xenia, green star polyps and maybe a zoanthids frag or two.

Just pay attention to which goby you get. They don’t all pair with pistols and some shrimp gobies get quite long. Yashas are really small but pricey. Pinkbars can get to 4 inches but I’ve never seen one over 3. Watchman will hit 4 inches and wheeler’s will stay about 3 or under.

I’m not going to tell you to get a bigger tank. I have a nano AIO for reasons. All of them are valid. I’ll never have a tang or wrasses and have to keep pretty basic corals for the most part but I’m good with that. I have to keep a closer eye on stuff but I’m willing to do that.

 

[Spare time]

So, I read some messages and did more research and I'll keep a goby and pistol shrimp combo is that ok?

Yes that would be fine.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

What is the best goby to get

 

[Solo McReefer]

What is the best goby to get

Get it?

Goby desert

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Is a goby and pistol shrimp combo good?

When you go to an LFS, they often ask if you want shrimp with your goby.

 

[Glowurm]

Hello, I'm starting a new 5-gallon reef tanks any ideas what to put inside. Like cheap corals and fish. Thanks

Rock anemone, maybe some crabs and a shrimp....

Edit - I feel sorry for what ever your putting in there, your not listening to the advice being offered.

 

[lil sumpin]

I dont think bottom dwelling shrimp gobies will enjoy a tank that size. As others have said, it's probably not a great idea to put fish in a tank that size but if you must, a lone yellow or green clown goby would probably be fine. If you're completely new to the hobby you will likely have to endure hardships that pertain to a tank that size and deal with the steep learning curve this hobby boasts. Start with a 40gal, it'll be fairly easier and you'll have room for more.