Starting a 2.5 tank

[auntievan]

A friend of mine would like to start a 2.5 glass tank. The smallest I have is the 12. Anyway, thinking of going with aragonite sub. Small LR frags...I believe a palm HOB filter...for lighting a coralife dual 9 watt PC. Any thoughts...concerns...pittfalls would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all...Auntievan

 

[XeniaMania]

My greatest concern would be the stability of the system. With smaller tanks, the fluctuation of salinity would occur faster with more dramatic effects due to evaporation. It's also very easy to overload a small tank like that. 1-2 fish max...small fish. Like they say, when you're just starting out in saltwater, get the biggest tank you can afford/maintain.

 

[VinnyTheIcepick]

I just broke down my 2.5 after a year when I upgraded to a 24 gal Aquapod. I had a 4 stripe damsel, 2 hermits, one turbo snail with some mushrooms, GSP and buttom polyps. You will need to top off about every 2 days , feed every 2 days and do a 20% waterchange every 2 weeks. It was very cool.

 

[OrangeKoi]

I just set up my 2.5 yesterday. There is a diy refugium in the posts that looks very good and easy to do which I will switch out with my filter (I currently have the small one) as soon as I can do it. It is about the first link in the DIY section. It should fit easily on the back and basically double my water volume without too much cost and will be the system/size that I desire. I still have to figure out an ato system. I don't want to use electricity if I can avoid it. There is a nice looking set up in diy but there are no directions as to how.(rats) Any ideas?