2.5 I set up for my friend.

[WDLV]

I set this 2.5 gallon up in my friend's office probably six months ago to help her stay sane. The corals have grown tremendouusly since I set up the tank.

I added the first mobile inhabitant (YWG) about a week ago. I'll probably add a blood red fire shrimp and a few more corals but that's it.

 

[teddyzaper]

wow that is tiny... is there enough flow in there? i really like the corals but i think it needs a bit more LR. Awsome tank!

 

[WDLV]

The flow (provided only by a tiny power filter) and liverock has been adequiqte for the corals. Whether it remains that way with a real bioload remains to be seen.

 

[ExpdNewb]

What lighting are you using for it? I will be starting a 3 gallon, and yours look legit.

 

[WDLV]

Its a 50/50 PCF with an incandescent socket. I think its a 50W Coralife

 

[ExpdNewb]

Its a 50/50 PCF with an incandescent socket. I think its a 50W Coralife

Thanks man! I'll Take a look at them.

 

[Disher]

A coworker of mine did something very similar to this with the same results. A very inexpensive way to capture the reef environment. Great work!

 

[ange062]

50w on a 2.5???? No way!! It must be smaller. Looks pretty neat though.

 

[WDLV]

It looks like one of the bulbs you would use in your home to replace an incandescent bulb but its a little more narrow and is of course 50/50.

 

[WDLV]

A coworker of mine did something very similar to this with the same results. A very inexpensive way to capture the reef environment. Great work!

Thanks! It was her old betta tank. I just replaced the internal filter with an external filter and switched the bulbs.

 

[romsoccer12]

looks great. i would definitely add more LR give it some good scaping!

 

[Radix]

Is that just one of those acrylic tanks with the plastic hoods you can pick up at petco? Did you modify anything? I've wanted a 3-5 g for so long

 

[WDLV]

looks great. i would definitely add more LR give it some good scaping!

I'm beginning to get the impression I should add some more LR. Hahahaha.

Is that just one of those acrylic tanks with the plastic hoods you can pick up at petco? Did you modify anything? I've wanted a 3-5 g for so long

Yes. El Cheapo from petco. No. No modifications but I did have to remove the spacer between the tank and the canopy. That was an optional component.

 

[Disher]

The only problem you might run into is scratching the acrylic so be careful!

 

[WDLV]

I'm careful. That said, I don't keep acrylic tanks for that reason.

 

[natesreef]

I would definitely suggest having some more flow.

 

[Preble]

what.are.you.doing.about.a.heater?

broken.space.bar

 

[WDLV]

You guys worry too much. The flow is growing the corals as is. There is no heater. It is in an office with its own thermostat in a hospital. I may increase flow of I add more liverock.

 

[romsoccer12]

i just thought more LR would look better. not my tank though

 

[Agu]

Maybe I worry too much too but once you added a fish the tank is overstocked. In your own pics the substrate already shows signs of nuisance algae. Once you start feeding that fish an adequate diet there's potential for a substantial increase in nuisance algae.

I've used the Coralife screw in bulbs and IME they're junk. They lose their color spectrum at 4 to 6 months and need to be replaced. Might explain why your previously fishless system already shows signs of nuisance algae.

Not to be a downer but remove the goby, replace the bulb, and increase flow if you want this tank to survive long term. Even better than replacing the bulb consider a LED light to minimize heat, have better lighting and reduce bulb replacement costs.

jmo,