How would I go about setting up a nano reef tank?

Currently in freshwater tanks right now but I'm planning on upgrading tanks next year and I'll have a 5 gallon open. (Link to tank type below). How would I go about setting up a nano reef tank, and what type of saltwater fish would work in 5 gallons (single or small schooling group). Currently have a betta fish in that tank that would upgraded to my 10 gallon and a betta in the 10 gallon that would be upgrading to a 30 gallon community tank.

If the 5 gallon isn't realistic, I could use my 10 gallon tank and if the 10 still isn't realistic then tell me now because it may not be practical for me to get into. The fish I have currently are my priority.

Fluval Chi

 

Well, you'd need to replace all the equipment that came with that tank with reef-appropriate equipment. You could use the lights to see your fish, but they won't be any good for coral or macroalgae. I might recommend something like an ABI PAR 38 (you can find them on Amazon). They screw into a standard E26 lightbulb socket, so you can screw them into any lamp that's strong enough to hold one. A lot of people actually use floor lamps with a gooseneck - or, you can order a gooseneck made to hold those bulbs. I'd also bet that the filter that came with that tank is super weak, so you'd probably want to invest in a HOB. I'd recommend an Aquaclear 50 - you can make them into refugiums, or use them to run various physical and chemical medias. You'd need a heater as well, although any adjustable heater will work fine for a small tank like that one.

You'd also need some live rock. Between 3-7lbs would be a good number to shoot for. You can do all dead rock, all live, or a mix of both. If you do all dead, you don't get any hitchhikers (good or bad), and it'll become live over time, plus it's cheaper. That said, some people have reported really bad algae issues and some bad quality rock, depending on where you get your dry rock. I've used it without issue, but YMMV. I'd use about half live and half dead, personally.

In such a small tank, I'd do a barebottom aquarium. Sandbeds in pico tanks are more for aesthetics, as they're not really large enough to offer many biological advantages. If you're not very on top of sandbed maintenance in such a small tank, you WILL have nutrient issues. So, either a very, very thin layer, or none at all, would be best, IMO.

As for stocking, you're looking at a single fish for a tank of that size. There are no schooling fish that stay small enough for a 5 gallon, and typically, your best bet is going to be a goby of some sort. A clown goby, eviota goby, neon goby, citron goby, or a green banded goby would be my best recommendations. There's really no free-swimming fish I'd recommend in a 5 gallon, especially one that's in a column orientation like the Chi. I've got two young False Perculas in a column 10 gallon, and I can see it getting fairly small for them pretty quickly, so a 5 is kinda tough.

 

If you plan to get a 5 gallon reef salinity will be fluctuating fast and often so you will want to invest in a auto top off system.

 

Well, you'd need to replace all the equipment that came with that tank with reef-appropriate equipment. You could use the lights to see your fish, but they won't be any good for coral or macroalgae. I might recommend something like an ABI PAR 38 (you can find them on Amazon). They screw into a standard E26 lightbulb socket, so you can screw them into any lamp that's strong enough to hold one. A lot of people actually use floor lamps with a gooseneck - or, you can order a gooseneck made to hold those bulbs. I'd also bet that the filter that came with that tank is super weak, so you'd probably want to invest in a HOB. I'd recommend an Aquaclear 50 - you can make them into refugiums, or use them to run various physical and chemical medias. You'd need a heater as well, although any adjustable heater will work fine for a small tank like that one.

You'd also need some live rock. Between 3-7lbs would be a good number to shoot for. You can do all dead rock, all live, or a mix of both. If you do all dead, you don't get any hitchhikers (good or bad), and it'll become live over time, plus it's cheaper. That said, some people have reported really bad algae issues and some bad quality rock, depending on where you get your dry rock. I've used it without issue, but YMMV. I'd use about half live and half dead, personally.

In such a small tank, I'd do a barebottom aquarium. Sandbeds in pico tanks are more for aesthetics, as they're not really large enough to offer many biological advantages. If you're not very on top of sandbed maintenance in such a small tank, you WILL have nutrient issues. So, either a very, very thin layer, or none at all, would be best, IMO.

As for stocking, you're looking at a single fish for a tank of that size. There are no schooling fish that stay small enough for a 5 gallon, and typically, your best bet is going to be a goby of some sort. A clown goby, eviota goby, neon goby, citron goby, or a green banded goby would be my best recommendations. There's really no free-swimming fish I'd recommend in a 5 gallon, especially one that's in a column orientation like the Chi. I've got two young False Perculas in a column 10 gallon, and I can see it getting fairly small for them pretty quickly, so a 5 is kinda tough.

If you plan to get a 5 gallon reef salinity will be fluctuating fast and often so you will want to invest in a auto top off system.

Ok so what I am getting is that it would probably be best to make my 10 gallon into a nano tank and leave the 5 gallon to my betta. HarrisonAquatics would a 10 gallon still benefit more as a bare bottom? And FinalFins where would I be able to find an auto top off system (if it would help the 10 gallon as well)?

 

10 gallon would be about the same for fluctuation I think. It would be better but still not by much.

I don't have any marine tanks so I don't know about where to get an auto top off system.

 

A standard 10 gallon would be a better choice, yes. Any system can benefit from going barebottom, if you keep up with sucking detritus from the bottom glass. If you leave it there to rot, there's no benefit.

You can DIY an auto top off, but to be honest with you, they get so janky that I wouldn't trust one on a tiny system. If you're going to use one, I'd try the XP Duetto. Pricey, but it'll work.

You don't NEED an ATO - a glass lid and diligent daily check-ups will keep your salinity in check. I don't run one on my 10 gallon, and I have to top off every third day to adjust my salinity back down by 0.001.

 

5 gallons would be a serious challenge for a first timer since there is ZERO room for error in one. You would also be limited to something like a single clown goby or neon goby for fish. Ideally I recommend no less than a 20 gallon Long for newbies, although smaller can be done if one is willing to be very diligent with water changes.

 

5 gallons would be a serious challenge for a first timer since there is ZERO room for error in one. You would also be limited to something like a single clown goby or neon goby for fish. Ideally I recommend no less than a 20 gallon Long for newbies, although smaller can be done if one is willing to be very diligent with water changes.

Agreed. Generally the larger the better for saltwater tanks.
A 20 gallon long is not a bad option. I personally wouldn’t do a 5 or a 10 gallon tank because there is such limited stock and the investment vs enjoyment really isn’t there.

 

This is my 10 gallon
Lots of Live Rock from my friends established reef tank
MinI external canister filter with filter floss and Pond Matrix rock medium
Circulation Pump
100W Heater
Kessil A80 LED adjustable dimmable light
Portable Refractometer to check salinity
Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid - Bulk Reef Supply
Mag-Float nano algae scrubber
Thermometer

That's all!

There really is not much you can do with a 5 gallon. Imagine chopping my tank in half... you'll have the same amount of equipment to maintain it but much less to show for it... and really can't keep any fish in a 5. Can hardly keep any in a 10 but there are a couple options at least.

By the way, I was babysitting that blue azure damsel for a friend otherwise would not keep in a 10 gallon, they are small but they really like to swim. I do have a Tailspot Blenny that is a permanent resident and I can't get another tiny fish while keeping the damsel. I have to figure out how to get him back out first, lol.

5 is a no, 10 is good, 15 is great. (my opinion strictly)

 

This is my 10 gallon
Lots of Live Rock from my friends established reef tank
MinI external canister filter with filter floss and Pond Matrix rock medium
Circulation Pump
100W Heater
Kessil A80 LED adjustable dimmable light
Portable Refractometer to check salinity
Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid - Bulk Reef Supply
Mag-Float nano algae scrubber
Thermometer

That's all!

There really is not much you can do with a 5 gallon. Imagine chopping my tank in half... you'll have the same amount of equipment to maintain it but much less to show for it... and really can't keep any fish in a 5. Can hardly keep any in a 10 but there are a couple options at least.

By the way, I was babysitting that blue azure damsel for a friend otherwise would not keep in a 10 gallon, they are small but they really like to swim. I do have a Tailspot Blenny that is a permanent resident and I can't get another tiny fish while keeping the damsel. I have to figure out how to get him back out first, lol.

5 is a no, 10 is good, 15 is great. (my opinion strictly)View attachment 672988

Nice looking tanks for a small guy.

Good advice too.

 

Nice looking tanks for a small guy.

Good advice too.

Thank you, darling <3
I feel that quality Live Rock/Live Sand is the ultimate key to start off on the right foot. And my tanks with the most rock have done the best. The fish appreciate more routes to swim and places to hide or nap.