Please help with my new 5gal nano

[shilpe]

I have a 5gal hex tank that came with a light, and filter. I was researching setting it up as a s/w nano tank and wanted to get some feedback as to whether this is a good idea or not. I am looking to have it as a fish only tank, i understand I won't be able to have more than one or two fish in there. I need advice as to what I need to do to set it up (steps involved) and recommendations for what kinds of fish would be suitable and how many, and the same for inverts. I do have a 25w heater, carib sea sand (not live sand), and salt to mix up. Please help.

 

[cannonman]

Is this your first SW tank? If it is you should know that keeping small/nano tanks is fairly challenging for a beginner, water perameters have to be watched VERY closely because even a small problem can wipe out the tank. If it is your first try don't buy anything more for it yet!!!! Get yourself a good saltwater aquarium book and read it from cover to cover and read a bunch of threads on this forum before you do anything, SW tanks take time- you will have to cycle your tank first, decide what lighting you want, etc. etc... keep us posted and good luck!

 

[rbrockm1]

small gobies would be perfect for your tank. But let it cycle and do its thing and then add some fish

 

[the j.o.p.]

i keep a 15,3 and 1 gal. tanks. i test prob. once a week because as stated above there isn't much room for error.
you can keep any shrimp, and like a goby. but give the tank time to cycle!!!

 

[shilpe]

What steps should I follow to set up my tank? How deep should I make the sand bed? How much rock should I use and should I just regular rock instead of live rock until my tank cycles?