5gal reef tank

[MCluett]

I have finally got around to my 5gal tank, I have ordered the ballast for my lights. it is just a small one from the LFS, it will house to small comact flurescent lights, both 15watts 6,500K. i know the rule of thumb is roughly 3-4WPG so this will give me 6WPG. this should be more then enough light for corals am i correct? I am unsure of type of corals i will be putting in the tank, i realize i am limited due to size of the tank but it is just a project to work on, plus if any of them start getting out of control i will just frag them and put them in my 30g. So i guess i am just looking for some insight from people who have worked with small reef tanks and any advice you could give me on equipment or stocking? i know i will have to keep up on top ups as well as water changes.


Thanks Matt

 

[DJLiquid]

What type of filter are you going to use with it?

 

[mr86mister]

For lighting for corals you could probably change one of the CF bulbs to an Antinic bulb to help carry along another part of the spectrum.

Roughly, 10-15 lbs. of LR will be good for that to help with filtration.
1" of sand will be nice for the bottom.

Do you plan on adding any fish?

I am curious on the filtration as well. An AquaClear HOB should work out. It will act sort of like a Refugium on the back.

 

[MCluett]

yeah i just have a small AC HOB filter that i had running on my 30gal tank for a couple of months. i will just fill up the filter with some LR. AS for atcinic bulb i am looking for them as we speak online. i am not sure what i am going to do in regards to fish. i will more then likely just put some inverts in the tank since it is so small. would you suggest i pick up a nano powerhead or should the filter provide enough current?

 

[MCluett]

what do you think of these bulbs?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17944/si1319973/cl0/coralifeminicompact5050lamp20watt

 

[mr86mister]

That looks great. If you can get two of them you would have roughly 8wpg and you could have any coral you want! BUT! With a tank that small you probably would not want a expensive coral in it anyways so maybe one would be fine for soft corals and a few LPS.

 

[MCluett]

ok i thought that lighting would be good. and yeah i would be leaning more to the LPS corals but if i get anything i really like i will probably move it to my new 55gal tank that i am just waiting for my parents to pick up for me.

 

[mr86mister]

haha, oh boy a 55 gallon on the way. not bad to size up 11x's to a new tank. You will very much love the 55 over the 5. It's much more expensive but so much easier to maintain.

 

[MCluett]

yeah i am still going to do the 5g but the 55g will just be a new addition. i am going to switch my 30g over to the 55g so my fish will have a little bit more room and so i can have some more options in stocking it.

 

[theyoungaquariest]

I had those mini 50/50 compacts and they dont work too well