what do you suggest for a 5 gallon nano?

do i need a skimmer? i think i recall for a tank this small. 7lbs of live rock and about 4 lbs live sand with a HOB filter with weekly 1 gallon water changes would be enough filtration.

i've had great success with my 20 gallon reef, so now i want to try a 5. just some easy to keep corals, zoanthids, mushroom, leathers etc. cleanup crew with maybe 1 small goby. i'd add a small powerhead and heater.

so my question is what can you suggest for lights? i was going to use a couple screw-in style coralife 50/50 20 watt bulbs which should be enough? it would save me from having to buy a new PC fixture. any advice welcome and appreciated

thanks guys. the led lamps won't fit in my fixture.

i got a fixture today that will fit my 50/50 coralife bulbs. so back to the skimmer issue. i saw a rio nano skimmer for $58 at my LFS, has a filter section in it too. good idea or bad idea? i could run this unit or forget skimming altogether and just run a whisper 10 GAL HOB filter that i can get at walmart for $20. since there will be easy to keep soft corals in the tank - what's the best bet? i know it don't need a skimmer, but wouldn't it be better to have it or would it rob the tank of trace elements the corals need?

i'm setting it up tomorrow so whatever you can tell me, it's advice i'll follow.

ok. i won't bother. but problems! i tried to install my 50/50 20 watt coralife bulbs in the new canopy - they don't fit! too long. now i'm screwed. how would you guys light this 16 inch wide 5 gallon? remember, i will have soft corals and i gotta have the actinic (50/50) lighting.

btw docta, ever do water tests in that 15? what results do you get?

i could easily build it if i knew what i needed and where to get it