New 1.5g office project.

reefboarder

reefboarder

Intelligent Donkey
So I have a 1.5g tank bought it last year and housed a few freshwater "minnows". I have decided to try doing salt with it. I am going to need some help on this.
My plan is to retrofit a cree LED into the built in light head.
I would also like to run a tiny little skimmer and possibly a power filter for flow.
I also have a nano heater that just does one setting 78.5 I believe.

I plan to take sand and rubble from my system here at home for cycling and my aquascape
My current ideas for stocking are possibly some not so colorful zoa's and paly's, and possibly some mushrooms and a ricordea, as far as fish I have'nt a clue what would do good in such a small area, and if possible I was thinking of a snail or three and a scarlett hermit for cleanup crew. If anyone sees any problems so far throw it out there. I am willing to sacrifice wants for success!

So here come the questions;
-What fish would be happy with 1.5g of swimming room?
-How many LEDs at what wattage would I need to support my coral list?
-Also I have a nice window that get sun for about 2/3 of the day Is this enough for light for a couple polyps and some shrooms
-Are there powerheads that small to do a 1.5 cube or is the nano type powerfilter good for flow?
Here is the one I am thinking about
http://www.petco.com/product/12148/....aspx?CoreCat=MM_FishSupplies_AquariumFilters

-What would be a good water change routine for this?
-Could I not run a skimmer and just do like 2 cup water changes daily?
the reality of me being disciplined enough to keep up with that schedule of changing water daily is not likely though.

Thank you for reading all of this and I will start taking pics tomorrow of the tank and location.
 
Dex IMHO I would skip the skimmer.

Do a bi-weekly wc. As far as %, I would keep it simple. Get a water bottle or similar vessel and swap out that much.

As far as fish goes...I saw a cool nano-fish at ABC, I wish I could remember the name, that would be sweeeet. I'll find that out for ya.

The mechanical filter may be enough flow but you ought to check that after you aquascape.

Lighting...lots of options. Par 20 lamp may be light enough to be supported by an attractive desk lamp. Marineland also sells a small led panel fixture. I'm using one on a 10g mantis tank. Come by and chk it out if ya want. I also have a Nanotuners Par38 over an 18" cube you can look at as reference, although it would be overkill for that pico.
 
I don't think you can keep a fish in something that small. I don't think skimming is an option, as you don't have room, even for a nano skimmer. Plus it wouldn't look so good! A few cheap led's and some low-mid light shrooms, and softs. CUC would probably be ok, and water changes as you say. Temp control will be a problem in such a small volume! How about a nice 10g picotope! :D
 
If I can't make this work a 2-3G might be an option but for now this is it I already have the tank so a few bucks on equipment isn't that hard. I already have the rock, corals, water, and heater.I would only have to figure out filtration if any, and flow.
here ate some pics of the light head I'm working with and the tank. I'm going to just gut the LEDs in there and put one or two good ones maybe a blue and a white, the head also moves up and down so it can be placed approx 3 inches above the water at it's lowest point. I think it should all work out. I could even buy a couple new 6" led strips and make a small wood holder and fasten it to the wand.


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Found some other options for a filter/powerhead zoo med micro 318 or 316 have biofiltration and are adjustable from 30 to 55gph.That may be spot on.
 
Jacwil said:
As far as fish goes...I saw a cool nano-fish at ABC, I wish I could remember the name, that would be sweeeet. I'll find that out for ya.
Click to expand...

Are you thinking about barnacle blennies? The should still have them at ABC. I have 6 in my 10gal nano, and they are definitely cool. The prairie dogs of saltwater :wildone:
 
I should have specified..I meant at ABC Aquarium in Fairport. The ones I saw are actually Red Spot Cardinals...and they have a max size of 2". Might be too big for a 1.5g I'm thinking.

How about a pair or group of interesting shrimp. Sexy's would be cool or something similar that wouldn't pester the polyps by climbing all over them...just an idea.
 
I was actually looking at some gobies. Maybe the green clown? Its pretty sweet. I still have lots of research for fish I am going to be putting whatever I choose Into my 120 at home in the fall because my office is only during summer months, i return to a more outdoors office in the winter, and the tank cant go. I could let it run at home though:hmm2::hmm1:
 
One thing with a tank at work, at least where I work, is sometimes they have power outages to work on stuff. That and the temp gets pretty hot/cold outside of normal working hours. Just a thought. I'd love to have a tank at work.
 
Dex, I think you will need supplemental lighting. I wouldn't count on the sun coming through your window and providing enough light. A couple LEDs may work. I wouldn't do a skimmer, just do 16 oz water changes every once in a while.

As for fish, you are pretty limited. The small gobies are your best bet. I like the green clown goby. Would a neon goby work in that small of a tank? The blue stripes are pretty cool looking.

And for filtration... will a hang on back filter fit on that tank? That would provide plenty of flow, and you could even do something fun with it. Run some live rock rubble, chaeto, or be goofy and put carbon in it. I've got one made for a 10 gallon tank that is adjustable if you want to try it.
 
I've been looking into some hob filters did you check the link earlier in the thread? The back of the tank is only about ten inches an has the light bar thing right in the middle so I'm kinda limited. I have also been toying with taking that whole light off and using some other form of stand/ light bracket. I can always mount something on the wall behind the tank and put whatever I can afford up there. My budget is around 50 bucks pluswhatever credit I get from returning a stealth pro heater.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Next time I'm your way, I'll give you that filter. Maybe you can make it work. I won't be using it anytime soon.

On a related note, I have been eyeing the pair of orangetail dottybacks on Diver's Den. The wife may shoot me, but it would be worth it. I probably won't get them unless they go on sale, but if I make the order, I'll see if you want to get a goby.
 
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