Another freshy converting, 3 gallon build

[00youknowit00]

Okay so first off, I know I shouldn't be starting with a 3 gallon.. I know I should be starting with a bigger tank.. But, this is the only option for me to have a saltwater tank, mom wouldn't allow another 20, not even another 5 or 10.. So I'm going into this knowing that its going to be a LOT harder to keep levels right ect.

This is the tank I got, a 3 gallon JBJ picotope: http://www.nanoreefgear.com/3-gallon-jbj-picotope

I don't know if there are actually any fish I can get, or if it'll need to be like shrimp only? I'm going off of fresh water, and 3 gallons really just means a shrimp tank, or a betta (which still really needs 5g). But I figure I've got a little while to figure that out since its got to cycle first, and as of now all I have is the tank light and filter.

Do I need live sand? Or can I get normal sand and let it become live on its own? Benefits there? Cause I love the look of black sand. I know I need live rock don't I?

I have a hydrometer (for my brackish tank), will that be good enough, or do I have to get a refractometer?

I'm not sure where to start haha, this is all new to me! So anything y'all think of that can help me is greatly appreciated!! I'm gonna go slow and make sure its all getting done right. I'm really excited

Thanks!

 

[00youknowit00]

Looks like I should probably get a refractometer, which ones do y'all use? Also it looks like no fish can fit in there, so just inverts, which is fine with me. I love shrimp, and they also have a low bio load which is good cause this isn't a big tank. Lol What kind of inverts would you put in it? (could I have a fire shrimp??) Also I think(keyword think) I can grow something in it. Although I have no idea what.. I'm not sure what the fixture is.. I'll come to that on a later date, I wanna take this one very small step at a time.

So I think my first step is going to get some LR to start my cycle, correct? And some black sand. And I can use my FW API kit, I just email them and they send me a new card?

 

[Gti_Leo]

i would really just put a few corals and some inverts, crabs and shrimp are cool, you might be able to get away with a neon goby, as they only get to about 2 inches

 

[redsea]

Nope, you don't need live sand, I believe that your black sand will become live after a while. I think black sand will look great!

You are correct in saying that your first step is to get some LR to begin your cycle.

I think a Fire Shrimp would be ok, but I could be wrong. What do you think of Anemone Shrimp, have you considered those before?

I hope this helps!

 

[00youknowit00]

i would really just put a few corals and some inverts, crabs and shrimp are cool, you might be able to get away with a neon goby, as they only get to about 2 inches

Hmm, what shrimp and crab do you suggest? Along with corals?

 

[00youknowit00]

Nope, you don't need live sand, I believe that your black sand will become live after a while. I think black sand will look great!

You are correct in saying that your first step is to get some LR to begin your cycle.

I think a Fire Shrimp would be ok, but I could be wrong. What do you think of Anemone Shrimp, have you considered those before?

I hope this helps!

So I need like 3 lbs? If even that? And if a fire shrimp would work that would be perfect!! Anemone shrimp are the same thing as sexy shrimp, right? They look the same

 

[00youknowit00]

Also, what do I want in the filter? It seems to come with the general HOB stuff. Except for these little pellet type things, carbon for sw? Anyways, what do y'all run in your filters? Just pads to collect debris? Cause if I understand correctly the live rock is your primary biofiltration.

 

[CleverBs]

I would put like 5-8lbs of live rock in the tank I would think the more live rock you have the more stable your parameters will be.

 

[redsea]

Also, what do I want in the filter? It seems to come with the general HOB stuff. Except for these little pellet type things, carbon for sw? Anyways, what do y'all run in your filters? Just pads to collect debris? Cause if I understand correctly the live rock is your primary biofiltration.

You can usually use the standard HOB filter on a salt tank (that means you can use the carbon).

In my 34 gallon RedSea Max, I don't use carbon, I use filter pads to absorb the debris, and then the water goes through a protein skimmer.

 

[00youknowit00]

I would put like 5-8lbs of live rock in the tank I would think the more live rock you have the more stable your parameters will be.

Okay, so my only concern is if I do 8lbs do you think it'd take up too, much room in the tank?

 

[Gti_Leo]

a fire shrimp would be alright, a pistol shrimp also or harlquin stars are fine. most inverts should be fine

 

[00youknowit00]

You can usually use the standard HOB filter on a salt tank (that means you can use the carbon).

In my 34 gallon RedSea Max, I don't use carbon, I use filter pads to absorb the debris, and then the water goes through a protein skimmer.

Well I never use carbon in any of my fw tank, I don't think its necessary unless I'm trying to remove meds or something. I'm guessing its the same in sw. I'm only going to have a HOB and live rock for filtration, so live rock is bio filtration and HOB is for debris and such, not relying on it for bio right?

 

[00youknowit00]

a fire shrimp would be alright, a pistol shrimp also or harlquin stars are fine. most inverts should be fine

Okay then a fire shrimp is definitely on the list, I love those things!

 

[redsea]

Well I never use carbon in any of my fw tank, I don't think its necessary unless I'm trying to remove meds or something. I'm guessing its the same in sw. I'm only going to have a HOB and live rock for filtration, so live rock is bio filtration and HOB is for debris and such, not relying on it for bio right?

Sounds good. Just make sure there is enough live rock for a strong biological filtration.

 

[00youknowit00]

Sounds good. Just make sure there is enough live rock for a strong biological filtration.

Well do you think that 8lbs would be enough?

 

[redsea]

Okay then a fire shrimp is definitely on the list, I love those things!

I really like Fire Shrimp too. I currently have one on my 34g.

Here is a picture of him with some of my other shrimp.

 

[redsea]

Yep, I think 8lbs is enough LR.

 

[00youknowit00]

I really like Fire Shrimp too. I currently have one on my 34g.

Here is a picture of him with some of my other shrimp.

So cool!! have you had any problems with it? Are they fairly easy to keep?

 

[redsea]

So cool!! have you had any problems with it? Are they fairly easy to keep?

Nope, no problems so far , and they are easy to keep. They will eat practically anything since they are scavengers. This one is actually out and about a good amount of time too!

 

[00youknowit00]

Yep, I think 8lbs is enough LR.

Sweet!! But that wouldn't be too much LR in the tank would it? If that's even really possible