Considering a 2-3 gallon reef tank

[agp]

Hey guys,

I'm considering making a very small (2-3 gallons) tank, and will only be keeping one or two types of coral (or anemone, if possible). What would I need to set this up? Do I need a filter and/or water propeller thing? What type of lights would work?

Thanks!

 

[the wizard]

Hey guys,

I'm considering making a very small (2-3 gallons) tank, and will only be keeping one or two types of coral (or anemone, if possible). What would I need to set this up? Do I need a filter and/or water propeller thing? What type of lights would work?

Thanks!

Is this your first venture into SW?

If so you might want to consider going with a larger tank size as a 2-3 gal tank will not be that forgiving with swings in water parameters.

You will need live rock, I would recommend 1-1.5 lbs per gal. A power head to provide water flow. Sufficient lighting for corals. That would get it started. Also make sure you use RO, RO/DI water for the tank. An API liquid test kit is what I use for testing my water. I have the master kit and the reef kit.

 

[Conski]

Yea if this is your first sw tank I really wouldn't do a 2-3 gal. Atleaat start with a 10

 

[agp]

I chose a 2-3 gallon because it'll be kept in my dorm at school, so I don't have a lot of space to spare. Also, a smaller tank will be easier to move back home when school's over. What type of corals can be kept in a pico tank?

 

[Conski]

i attempted a one gallon pico and i have been doing this for close to two years keeping all sorts of corals including fragile sps.. and i failed hard at that pico.. i couldnt even imagine trying it as my first tank. Honestly man a 10 gal biocube is incredibly easy to move from dorm to home and alot easier to manage..

but if you insist on it heres a nice little 2 to three gal on youtube with some specs.. the corals in that tank are star polyps the hardiest of all corals, Zenia (they grow like weeds), and some leathers. Honestly any type of corals can be kept in a pico ive seen a sick sps pico but the guy really knows his stuff. i suggest to sticking something like this video though esepcially with that tank and light combo

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k82_7wNQcUI&feature=related

Pico Tank
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquariums_tanks_jbj_picotope-ap.html

the corals listed above by myself and in the tank description are your best bet im even hesitant to say no zoas until its really established.. starting with mushrooms zenia or GSP is your best bet.

Learn parameters and how to control them in the pico and youll be fine
hope this helps