2.5 reef

[myBrainHurts]

I am about to upgrade my Betta to a 5 gallon tank from a 2.5 gallon. I have always wanted to have a mini reef and I think I have the chance here. I am open to all suggestions. I already know I am going to get the azoo Palm filter in the near future. I might be able to get some sand from a friend. I have no live rock but LFS with good live rock for sale, and good saltwater as well. I am open to all suggestions before I start this project and I have plenty of time before I start it. Let me know what you think I should do. Easy corals, lighting, and fish(if possible) and cleaning crew.

 

[dingusplease]

I was in nearly the exact same situation a year ago! As someone told me when I wanted to make a pico, tiny reefs can be much harder to maintain than larger tanks, and there are next to no options for fish. So definitely consider a larger tank, as there may/will be less maintenance, more options for fish, and more space.

But if you're set on it, picos are amazing!

My suggestions:
- Pick out good lights from the beginning. They may cost more but will cost less than old lights + eventually upgraded ones.
- Invest in good test kits and a refractometer
- You'll need a powerhead for water flow (check out the azoo 180, or similar)
- A refugium can really help with nutrient uptake (I turned a HOB breeder box into a chaeto farm)
- Do lots of research, and ask questions aquarium advice and nano-reefs.com are both great places for this.

 

[myBrainHurts]

Ya I already have a 10 gallon and I don't really want another(biggest I can have in my dorm), I have all the test kits minus a couple already. I would hope that the new filter would provide enough flow. 2 more things:

I might keep the Betta where it is and do a pico reef in the 5 Gallon. My reasoning for this is because I would be able to adjust the filter output and direction. So based on that what are some corals you could recommend?

 

[dingusplease]

Ya I already have a 10 gallon and I don't really want another(biggest I can have in my dorm), I have all the test kits minus a couple already. I would hope that the new filter would provide enough flow. 2 more things:

I might keep the Betta where it is and do a pico reef in the 5 Gallon. My reasoning for this is because I would be able to adjust the filter output and direction. So based on that what are some corals you could recommend?

Is the 10 a reef? For corals, some beginner/low-light types are zoanthids, palythoas, mushrooms, Xenia, ricordia, leathers, green star polyps, and anthelia.

For a 5 gallon a clown goby is really the only option for fish, but there are tons of possibilities for inverts and coral.

 

[myBrainHurts]

The 10 gallon is a planted peaceful tank. Thanks for your input.

 

[NickB8951]

Zoas, mushrooms, and candy canes can come in some pretty awesome colors and they are pretty easy to maintain. I really like green star polyps. I have attached them to the back wall of my 2.5 gal tank and I'm going to let them spread across the whole back wall.


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[NickB8951]

Also, I really like LED's for lighting. They are energy efficient and let off almost no heat. Plus you can find some really good deals on Amazon!


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