2.5 Pico Build

MBilyeu

I have a question. I have always like the look of reef tanks, but I was going to wait until I could afford large setup because of mistakes that I am bound to make. However, from the looks of it, I could use a 20gal that I have, build a lighting system, and buy a powerhead then be good to go?No sump or filter? The details could be worked out later, but if this is true, then I wouldn't need to wait for the money and time for a big setup. We are talking about less than $200 to get the tank set up(no rock or sand). Which is a lot less than the $2000+ that I was thinking it was going to be, not to mention the space that a large setup would take up. I might start the project this month....

Kellsindell

If you are going to go with a small setup then a lot more research will have to go into this. Limits are on small tanks that are quite small, especially in comparison to FW tanks. With no skimmer or other types of filtration (such as my tank) you'll either need a DSB (deep sand bed) or a small sandbed (less then 1") and LR and water movement as well as lights (for a FOWLR [fish only with live rock]), or if you are going to get corals, then you'll need good lights, such as T5 or PC.

I use natural filtration, live rock (LR). Other then that i do water changes. I have no fish in the tank, so my water quality doesn't go South quick and leaves me with some leway. I don't worry so much about the corals i have chosen because they are all hardy and duplicates from my larger reef (55g). It is possible to get a skimmer and other equip for the tank, but research is going to have to go into this as well.

scrubb

Thanks for the offer I just might.

Kellsindell

I've been considering using it for my sump, but i haven't done the pluming for it (would be for my 55g display) so it's still empty(minus the old Coraline algae.

scrubb

that sounds good.

Kellsindell

i'm not going to, I don't have any space for it, and my wife is pleading with me to get rid of it.

MBilyeu

Well I don't know if I will want fish or not, maybe one or two small ones if it works out. After reading about your 2.5, I was planning on something like a 4" bed and live rock for filtration. I would just have to buy a Hydor Koralia pump(either 240 or 400gph), and I would probably end up just buying the lighting if the 24" version of this would work: Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

Without buying any other equipment could this tank work with regular water changes? I know it might be a headache and I will probably have to manually supplement the tank regularly because of a lack of sump, but if I don't have to buy a whole bunch of equipment (and try to find a place to hide it) my wife said go for it!!! Well, right after I build a new vanity for our bathroom If you think that this will work, look out for a thread from me in about 2-3 weeks!!!

Kellsindell

The lighting wouldn't be the greatest, but it wouldn't be bad either. You could keep soft corals and some LPS, but SPS is definitely out of the pic, unless you went with more lights. You would have to keep doing weekly water changes and yes you may, may, need to supplement. If you choose to go with Soft corals, then you won't need to supplement. Weekly water changes will take care of this for you, and if you go wth LPS then as long as you don't get 10+diff corals, i don't think you'd need to supplement either. You may, but that's why we check our water for calc, mag and alk right?

So in short... could work and can't wait to see you on here!

Kellsindell

Update

Green Zoas


Zoas


Devils hand frag


From the side

Kellsindell

New Coral
Green Candy cane (pretty sure it's not a kryptonite)