3 Gallon Saltwater Bowl with coral - is this possible?

So I have some dry rock and some other saltwater supplies in storage from when I did a 10 g but gave up well now I have a lot more time and patience so I was wondering if I can do a 3 gal saltwater bowl with maybe some coral? If so can someone do like a step by step tutorial for me lol I don’t know how to cycle with dry rock and I have a sw master test kit and a reef master test kit. I don’t have an RO thing tho so every time I’d do a wc I’d have to go up to my lfs and get 5 gallons at a time. Which I’m willing to do.

 

Pico are very tough with corals. You have to have an auto top off to keep water level at all times. But with no bioload nutrients won't be a major issue. You cycle dry rock just like fresh. Ammonia and time

 

Instead of corals, have some shrimp and little crabsThey tolerate temp and salinity fluctuations. You can cycle the tank with them in there. You will lose some but it will eventually cycle after a couple months.
Use strong aeration to help cycle. They will eat each other. Get one piece of live rock to put in there if you can - that will kick start the party.

Have fun and see what happens!

 

Instead of corals, have some shrimp and little crabsThey tolerate temp and salinity fluctuations. You can cycle the tank with them in there. You will lose some but it will eventually cycle after a couple months.
Use strong aeration to help cycle. They will eat each other. Get one piece of live rock to put in there if you can - that will kick start the party.

Have fun and see what happens!

Ok I don’t have access to live rock unfortunately where I live I only have 1 lfs who literally just got into salt water so items are limited unless if I do get a live rock if possible it’ll be expensive

 

Your dry rock will eventually come to life. It just takes longer. With dry rock you also won't get any fireworms, or other unwanted hitchikers. You can just buy a few crabs and shrimp and snails, and see what you can get to grow in your little ocean!

Little crabs are great since they eat algae that grows in the tank. You can find shrimp, crabs and snails online too if your store does not have them.

I used to have a 5 gallon tank like this. Its great fun, always changing and growing and something going on. You can learn a about keeping saltwater without spending hardly any money.

 

With the right corals it can work, I keep a Duncan and some GSP and Xenia with no problem in a three gallon bowl and it was my first ever (and only) SW setup

 

We need more people who know how to keep the oceans alive!! I love the OP's spirit!!

 

We need more people who know how to keep the oceans alive!! I love the OP's spirit!

Thanks!! Lol so I got a zebra hermit crab today so let’s see if it’ll live I’ll try my best

 

As mentioned above it's a challenge for a pico tank as there is virtually no room for error. That said, some soft corals (ie Mushrooms) and some easy LPS (ie Blastos) are generally easy to care for and pretty forgiving.

 

As mentioned above it's a challenge for a pico tank as there is virtually no room for error. That said, some soft corals (ie Mushrooms) and some easy LPS (ie Blastos) are generally easy to care for and pretty forgiving.

Thank you for the advice but I gave up on saltwater unfortunately. I think I’m too young and don’t have the funds for it if that makes sense

 

Thank you for the advice but I gave up on saltwater unfortunately. I think I’m too young and don’t have the funds for it if that makes sense

Not sure if you’re up for convincing, but I’m 16 and did my SW setup for under $100, and with the right corals I only do water changes on my reef once every 6 months or so

 

Not sure if you’re up for convincing, but I’m 16 and did my SW setup for under $100, and with the right corals I only do water changes on my reef once every 6 months or so

Wow that’s amazing! I still don’t think it’s for me YET...