2 gallon tank

[OceanMist]

I have an empty 2 gallon lying around which is annoying me - is there any chance i could turn it into a small saltwater tank, i'm thinking a cleaner shrimp and a couple of snails. i could use (2x) 12" flourescent tubes on it giving about 8 watts per gallon, would this need any other means of filteration if I used about 4-5 lbs live rock, with a small powerhead for movement, i was also hoping to put some soft coral in it, perhaps some 'shrooms/zoos, would this be possible in a tank of this size!?

 

[Scottm]

yes but difficult. I wouldn't recomend it to a beginner. Things can go bad fast in such a small tank but if you are determined enough to do it then do it.

 

[lando]

Sounds like a fun project. I say go for it.

 

[melosu58]

It will aquire constant monitoring

 

[OceanMist]

I wouldn't recomend it to a beginner

I kept a Saltwater tank before, although it wasn't very successful, however I think that was down to the cost of everything - ... this tank would barely cost anything because of the size & I have most of the required equipment from the previous tank,

I need a couple of Q's answered

1) would this 2 gallon tank need any other filter if I used 4-5 pounds live rock?

2) would the lights i mentioned be good enough to keep the corals?

3) what other livestock options are there apart from shrimp/snails, any small fish?

TIA!

 

[Florida8]

I say go for it! I have had a two 10's up in the past with nothing but LR and HOB and 1 PH each, not planned... but as temp holding while we moved and encountered problems with our main tank... I had a lot of fish in those tanks for a long time and it was crazy....it taught me A LOT about SW and and I learned things I could have never learned from the big main tank... in the long run it made me a better tank keeper, if you already have had SW tanks then I bet you will be fine, or learn fast of mistakes and get it right. Experience is the best teacher, albeit a hard one Of course, if you were killing fish to learn I would feel a little different, like say, cramming a hippo tang in there. I say set it up and wait to add your shrimp until you got it down pat an the tank is aged a little... think of all the cool shrooms and stuff... I'm setting a 5 up at my computer table... same plans... LR, shrooms, crabs, snails, a sexy shrimp.

Also, I bet a nice size HOB the back will provide you with ample water flow, with out adding the PH and plus give you a mini fuge

Keep us posted on what you decide

 

[Florida8]

WOW, thats a lot is little yellow faces

 

[OceanMist]

Okay, Instead of using 2x flourescent tubes, i'm going to use a 24 watt 12" compact flourescent (blue/white), giving about 12 watts per gallon would this be okay to keep soft coral?,

the tank by the way is only 7.5 inches deep

 

[OceanMist]

Okay, I've gone with an 18 watt compact flourecscent (blue/white) which looks really nice - I've also added 1 or 2 pounds of live rock, the tank is currently cycling, I tested for ammonia and the test water went clear so there's no ammonia, the nitrite went med. orange and the nitrate went red - any ideas how long it will take now?

also, the tank is really cloudy and I cant see to the back even though it is only 8 inches wide! - it has been like this for days -- will it ever clear up by itself!?