hey everyone! i want to start a 5 gallon (17 x 9 x 11) mini reef tank with just corals in it. i have 2 18" t8 light fixture just siting around that came with my tank, i know the bulb it came with wont do anything for the corals. i was wondering if i buy a T8 10,000k 15 watts and a T8 actinic 15 watts from coralife if it would be enough? also if i have just corals in it do i still have to do water changes or just not as often. if i am able to keep coral what can i put? any sps or lps? and can i get away not having to use a protein skimmer? thanks to all in advance!!
5 Gallon... Need Advice
- Thread starter geecanlas
- Start date
corman1313
New member
I would ditch those lights and look into LED's if your budget allows it. I had a 3 gallon pico before getting 7.5 cube and I was worried about lights and equipment heating up the water. I went with the Ecoxotic Par38 and 2 stunner strips. Love the look and getting good growth. If you are just going to stock corals you will need to do water changes, probably weekly will be good. The corals are going to deplete the elements in the water and the best way to replenish them will be to replace it with fresh salt water. Water changes will be your best friend with a tank that size. As for what kind of coral again depends on the light you go with and also water quality. a skimmer is not needed and it is possible to do sps but your water needs to be pretty good. I have added a sump and skimmer to my 7.5 and I still do weekly water changes. Another good piece of equipment that I will recommend but is not totally needed is an auto top off, It makes things a lot easier and you'll have less fluctuations in salinity. Hope that helps you
bdevillier
New member
i have a 10 gallon using a 4 bulb 18" t5 fixture and i'm able to keep sps with weekly water changes. are your t8 fixtures 1 or 2 bulbs per fixture? coralife also makes 15K and 20K bulbs as well. i used the 10k light on a freshwater tank and it was still too yellow for my taste. i would recommend a 15k and actinic unless you want more of a white light. coralife also has a 50/50 bulb that i use on a QT tank and it really makes corals pop. but like corman said, if you can go with LED, do it. you'll save money fairly quick and for a small tank the LEDs should cost you too much.
corman1313
New member
Awesome that bdevillier replied, so you know that it can be done.
at bdevillier.. its 1 light per fixture. ya i was just wondering if i can get away with it cuz those light are just siting there and also my 5 gallon tank is sitting there. i also have 2 20 gallon tanks. right now i have a 55 g running with mix coral and 5 fish, just over a year old.
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