3 gallon saltwater tank

Well since I am getting a ten gal freshwater I will not have room for the twenty gal as planned. So I was just wondering how much do you think it would cost to set up a 3 gal saltwater tank? thanks

 

It would not cost that much. However you wouldn't be able to get a fish only inverts and corals. you can still get some colorful inverts and corals though. I could give you about the cost of the tank but what are you planning. Just live rock and some inverts OR all of that and corals? Cost would be anywhere from 100+$ to 300$ or so depending what you want.

 

I definitely want only an invert. I know it would be hard to do but I am wanting something other than FW. I want Live rock and live sand would get 3 lbs live rock. I want a shrimp they are so cool. I was thinking something like this?


Could you please make a list of items I will need to get?? It would be SOOO much apreciated!!! I am doing my reading up on this! Wanna do everything right! thanks so much!!! Brianna

 

Hmmm, you might want a stronger light fixture if you want certain corals but the light itself should be fine for zoo's, mushrooms, other softies.

Are you in the US?
How about this one better light and stronger filter I believe. You might want to read reviews on these.

Live Rock-Depends on where you are probably 15-20$ (3lb. should be good but if it's porous you may want less, if it's not you may want more)
aragonite sand-NOT live, will turn live (try to get some from somebody otherwise it's expensive. You may want to just go barebottom, it's cheaper, easier to keep clean and over time you can get stuff to grow and it can look nice, my choice would be barebottom)
powerhead-maxi-jet 400 20$
refractometer-50$ (much better than hydrometer and more accurate)
master test kit-15$
Salt-15$
Source of RO or distilled water

Also
5 gallon bucket, small powerhead (mini-rio is a good one), heater, thermometer. All to pre-mix saltwater to add to tank at water changes

I think that's all you would need but I may be missing something, if I think of it I'll let you know. Are you going to want corals or just inverts?

 

Just a word from the wise...

The smalller your tank size the harder it is going to be to keep your parameters right... your water is going to be your biggest enemy, the tiniest spike of anything will kill your whole tank. you must be dilligent with checking your levels as well as changing your water... I wouldnt suggest a 3 gallon if this is your first salt water tank!

 

Thanks guys, yes this is my first saltwater tank, guess I'll steer away from saltwater until I have more money to spend on a larger saltwater tank. Brianna

 

My first saltwater tank was 5.5gallons and I'm not having much problems. I would definitely take JGoldinger's advice but if your up to it and go very slow I think you would be ok, but like JGoldinger said it wiill be a challenge.

 

If I were you, I would avoid ANY tank less than 20ga. My tank I have now is 12ga and I'm having a problem with nitrates, it spiked really fast!
I tested the water one day and it was fine, the next, it was at over 80ppm!! A 3 ga. tank would spike even higher and faster. If you look to the right websites or stores you can get Biocubes and Nanocubes for a fairily cheap price.
Take this advice, DO NOT USE A 3 GA. TANK FOR SALTWATER, it can pull money out of your pocket faster than a bigger tank.