My Little 5G Pico

[aly_starh]

Hi everyone,
 
I used to be on this forum all the time, then took a years break from keeping fish when my Betta tank had a nasty outbreak! I attempted to venture in the saltier side of life about 5 times; didn’t get much past buying all the equipment. I think expenses were a big factor! My plans back then were to start a 16g reef after being put off by all the difficulties that would supposedly come with anything smaller than a 10g.
Anyways, long story short. I came to the conclusion that buying a smaller tank (even though it would be ALOT more work) could be a better option, in the short term i would be spending less money. I am determined to make this tank work.
 
So i’ve got - 
Tank: 19L/5G http/bit.ly/WYvHWo
Lighting: BOYU T5 8W http/bit.ly/XuY9hU (I have brought two new 12000k marine bulbs which should hopefully be better!)
Powerhead: BOYU 480 lph (25x turnover) http/bit.ly/Y0IwR9
Substrate: Crushed aragonite coral sand http/bit.ly/VMX2Qh
Hydrometer
Digital Thermometer
 
Still to buy - 
Live Rock: 2KG
Test Kits
 
I will purchase the premixed salt water from my lfs, its £6 for 25L

The sand bed will be an inch thick.
 
Still waiting on a lot of things arriving as i have ordered everything online!

I am just looking into a fairly inexpensive set up really. 

---
 
My plans? Well i am hoping to keep a few corals, say Xenia, Mushrooms and maybe a few Zoas? I shall see how they go then will go from there! Hoping to find a good few surprises in the live rock, hopefully nothing nasty! haha.
CUC wise, i really want a hermit crab and will get a few smaller snails.
Fish wise, i don’t really think i will be able to stock anything because the tank is so small! Ultimate dream would be a little clownfish, but hey little clown fish get very big! A goby of some sort maybe?
 
Anyhoo, thats all for now. I hope this is of interest to some people! I have been researching like mad! I really hope this one sets off well as I’ve attempted it about 5 times before and stopped just after buying supplies! We shall see!
 
Thanks for reading!
Aly

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[gregswimm]

I think you would be hard pressed to find a fish that will be happy in that, you might be better off without fish tbh.  It would reduce the amount of maintenance and algae growth my a significant factor.

I had crushed coral in an aiptasia tank and it was god awful.  It trapped so much detritus.  I swapped it out for sugar grain sand (oolite) and have seen a drop in my NO3 and PO4 levels.

In sand you can totally keep a mini carpet anemone.  They are supposed to be really easy and god they are gorgeous.

I worry about you having enough light with the regular T5s, Generally T5 HO or VHOs are used.  You could always suppliment it with a par38 LED bulb

I don't see a heater on your list

Looks fororward to seeing how this tank comes along.  I like the natural setup.