5 gallon nano reef

[gobywonkenobi]

I have about 2 years of experience keeping larger reef tanks, but now i want a challenge. I want to start a 5gal nano reef. How would I do it? What do i need to set it up? how would i maintain a tank that small? I have LR,LS, a light and a filter. What else do i need, i want to keep it as simple as possible

 

[tommer725]

If you want it simple, get a nano with an overflow and get a sump. This will allow you to get an ATo and a skimmer. How small are you going? I think a sump is a good thing to have on a tank that small.

 

[gobywonkenobi]

So if i just use a HOB filter for filtration its going to be more diffucult to take care of?

 

[Fretfreak13]

Not as long as you keep up with your waterchanges. Nanos are only harder because things can go wrong faster. If you're good with water changes you can run a small nano with nothing but biological filtration from the live rock and sand. All the bells and whistles of the sumps and skimmers aren't needed as long as YOU can be persistent with maintaining the tank.

 

[autodave]

I agree with Kali, I have a 5g with just corals,a few crabs and snails. If you can avoid putting fish in it,it will make the tank alot easier to mantain.

 

[gobywonkenobi]

I have a LED fixture with 39 .11w white LEDs and 3 blue .11w LEDs totaling 4.62w. Would this be enought light for zoas and mushrooms and some ricordea? It would be on a 5.5gal nano

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i dont think that would be enough light for anything..

my 5gal has 11 3w cree leds over it...i can grow any coral i want under them...

i have no fish, just a couple crabs a snail or two, and that is about it...i also have no3 and po4 present too...however i only do water changes every two or three months, ( i should say when i think about it and have enough time to do it...

 

[tommer725]

Right I agree with them. But an ATO is a must in a Nano in my experience. A biocube skimmer and sump is what I would do.

This is my theory about nano reef keeping.
If you want to have it simple to take care of a few more things will be needed. If you want it simple as in not much gear, then it is a little more work.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i dont have an ATO, my tank has been going almost 2 years SG has never fluctuated more then .001

 

[gobywonkenobi]

Well the nano will be sitting on my kitchen countertop so i will see it alot. If its looking low i will put water in it. Was looking at a 10x3w LED fixture. Almost 6wpg on a 5.5gal. Same amount i have in my 40 reef so it will be plenty of light. I plan on putting dwarf hermits an emerald crab a firefish an arrow crab and maybe a black clown in it, along with some softies. Do you think this would be overstocked with 5lbs of rock?

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

you will need a top for it if your putting in a fire fish...