New to salt water, 5 gall tank lots of start up questions!

[oneball]

Ok, to start I picked up a 5 gallon acrylic thanks to my dad ( old feeder fish/ hodge podge tank from years ago). Cleaned it super well, looks brand new, want to start a tiny coral and tiny crustacean tank, no fish. It comes with a filter, tube pump then filter than bio wheel then out, don't know how much of that I will need but all the old stuff is gone obviously.
( (tl;dr) what do I need all to set up? Lol))


First question, it has a spot for a bulb, tried it last night and it fits a normal lightbulb, but not much bigger. Came with a tiny halogen style bulb,
But in this case what wattage, size, style type etc would you guys recommend for that little tank? I think I am going to go closed lid because the whole setup is there, but to save on heat I may splice in a tiny computer fan to help dissipate heat, there is just a metal plate and some holes there now to keep it from melting the plastic. Thank you in advance, there is question one lol

[rebelyeller89]

I am going to try this light in my five gallon aquarium. And if that doesn't work out I'll be adding a led fixture

[Travis55]

Originally Posted by rebelyeller89

I am going to try this light in my five gallon aquarium. And if that doesn't work out I'll be adding a led fixture

Thats wut im using on my ten gal. Looks really nice. I haven't added anything but looks good.

[oneball]

Here is my starter. Gotta get a bulb, got the sand and mixed water lined up. Local shop is having a half off deal on all live rock so I'm gonna pick that stuff up today. Hope it's all cool!! Anything else I may need?

[Travis55]

Originally Posted by oneball

Here is my starter. Gotta get a bulb, got the sand and mixed water lined up. Local shop is having a half off deal on all live rock so I'm gonna pick that stuff up today. Hope it's all cool!! Anything else I may need?

Nice little tank! Id get a api sw test kit, refractometer both can be bouggt off ebay fairly cheap.

But liverock, sand, and saltwater are the main things to start ur cycle

[Travis55]

And a heater

[oneball]

Question though, should I cut an inch or two off of that tube? It too close to the sand to be a problem?

[Travis55]

Originally Posted by oneball

Question though, should I cut an inch or two off of that tube? It too close to the sand to be a problem?

I would cut a couple inches off for sure.

Mine is prolly 3-4" away from the sand bed

[oneball]

Ok I have a tiny little black heater that came with this thing. 99% this works still

[Travis55]

Originally Posted by oneball

Ok I have a tiny little black heater that came with this thing. 99% this works still

Is it adjustable? Ull wanna get a thermometer. Its probably set to 78 which will be ok