My daughters beta just died. But....

[FZ1Rider]

It got me thinking. 3 gallon Reef tank? Maybe reef tank is a stretch but FOWLR?
Would it even be possible? What could I put in it? How would I filter / skim / etc? I would probably just pull a small LR and some LS out of my 65 to do it.

I am so going to hell for thinking about this right now

Thanks for any info!

Peter

 

[t5Nitro]

I wouldn't do a 3 gallon unless you are real experienced or hook it up to a bigger tank like a sump because water levels can fluctuate really fast in little gallons of water. For fish in a 3 gallon, I don't know if anything can go in there, maybe a clown goby?

If the 3 gallon was for the beta and it was dosed with any medication with copper, definately not for SW, or any medication without copper probably no reef can go in it. I would go get a 10 gallon from the store, they are probably 7-10 dollars. You can go bare bottom to keep costs low, but sand for a 10 gallon wouldn't cost much. Then I would run a few maxijet powerheads (lower GPH ones), put 10 lbs of LR in there or maybe half base/half live for costs if you want and get some cheap PC lights if you want to grow any corals. Maybe mushrooms/xenia/zoos could go under those PC lighting.

It would open up a lot more varieties to bump it up to a 20 gallon for fish that can go in there. Otherwise if you want to keep costs low than the other way is better, but again people say usually small tanks aren't for beginners.

What is your budget? That information could help a lot on deciding what is a good set up for you.

 

[Shagsbeard]

There are people who do "pico" tanks like this.... some even down to the 1 gallon size. Crazy if you ask me... just asking for trouble.

 

[zma21]

You may think it's crazy, but a buddy of mine that works at my LFS has had his mushroom pico for 17 years. He made it himself and it is 3 gallons. It is quite a beauty. It was also his first tank.