5g reef

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I restarted the tank last night with three pounds of live rock and all new saltwater. The tank was clear this morning. I went ahead and added a tiny little bit of mysis to kick start the nitrogen cycle.

I need to get a power strip so I can plug in the heater today. My house stays pretty warm. I'm not worried so much about the temp right now.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I found a couple stocks of what I think is Kenya tree that will probably survive the cycle.

I was going to buy some more live rock, but since I am buying soft corals, they will come on their own rocks, so I'm not adding any more for now.


Anyone have some suggestions on a halfway decent LED light?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm researching on Amazon tonight. I'll find a decent one soon.

I'm going to ghost feed the tank some in the morning. Just trying to help it along to stuff it with soft corals.

Still seeing very little evaporation so far. I'm excited to get it going again.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Small tanks tend to have less evaporation due to the smaller surface area and surface water movement that's why IMO a top off is not necessary unless you are planing on leaving the tank unattended for a long period of time.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Makes sense. I've never had a 5g before.

I'm gonna order the new Kessle A80 nano reef light. I know it might be a little overkill, but I like the color of a quality LED light more than the cheaper versions. I think it makes the colors of the corals "pop" just a little more.

I'm going to keep the tank bare bottom and buy some GSP to spread on the bottom of the tank.

Next week after ghost feeding a bit, I will have the water tested to see where it's at. I'm not going to add anymore than the three pounds of live rock that I have now because most soft corals will come on their own rocks.

I'm not going to use the water from my own RO unit this time. Something is wrong with either the water or the old reef salt I am using. I'll just have to buy a gallon a week or so for a water change.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
My .02 if i was starting a pico tank I would look into the Blastomussa coral on the low end of the price range they make a beautiful addition to a small tank. BUT they do like low light so in an area shaded by your rockwork they are eye poppers.

Another “trick “I like to employ when placing coral that like low light. I glue the coral plug to a vertical face of a piece of rock. This way the coral does not get direct light. It can be placed high up in the tank and gives the viewer a great look at it.
 
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snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Oh yeah, I love blastos. Thanks for the tip.

I figure it's not going to take much to fill the tank up with what I want, so I have to be kind of selective on what I get.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member


The LFS gave me a little Kenya tree to try out. I would rather a brother but I'll take whatever I can get. Lol.


I guess that's some kind of brain coral. Can someone ID?

I also go a bunch of zoa's, a couple pretty green mushrooms, a small orange montipora, and some green star polyps. Nine frags overall for about $30. Dang good deal if you ask me!
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
First remember in such a small tank anything you introduce displaces water. and dilution is your friend. Zoas are nice but can over run your tank quickly now for the coral identification. I don't think its a brain . Look into the Mycedium Genus. specifically elephant nose coral
 
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snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Zoa's will take over pretty quickly, but so will any other soft corals. I will frag off any gap that starts growing on the rocks and I'll try to keep the zoa's contained on a rock or two.

This is just a little hobby tank. I'm excited to see what it developed into.

Thanks for the ID Joe.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
if you really like zoa look into the blues man they are nice OR check out Blue Sympodium Polyp IMO great for a pico
 
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