5.5 gal nano reef project

[Xochi16]

Hey all! I've been doing some research and have gotten some good advice from PurplePeopleEater and am going to try a 5.5 gal Nano reef. I know that it will be challenge but I'm going to try it! Right now I have or plan on buying the following materials:
30lbs LS (White Figi)
Refracometer
50W Heater
AC 50 (planning on turning it hopefully into a fuge) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=601201&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
Fission Nano Skimmer
I am unsure about a power head, I think the current from the AC 50 would be plenty but I'm unsure
I was also looking for advice about how much live rock I was considering about 5-8lbs. And if anyone has any good links or suggestions for Lighting. I am not sure if I could rig something together and would prefer to buy something (don't want to electrocute anyone lol)
I am currently thinking of keeping some mushrooms and polyps. Probably no fish, just a cleanup crew.
And advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Amazon]

everything sounds good but How are you going to fit 30lbsof live sand in a 5.5g?

[Xochi16]

everything sounds good but How are you going to fit 30lbsof live sand in a 5.5g?
The place where I got it, it comes in bags of 30lbs. I don't intend on putting the whole 30lbs in. Probably 15? I'm not sure what I'll do with the rest, I'm sure if it will keep anywhere lol

[Wyatt]

I just started my 5.5 gallon too! Its going good so far, I just got rid of most of the algae growing since of last two weeks.

Good luck, reef aquariums are beautiful :19:

[Xochi16]

I just started my 5.5 gallon too! Its going good so far, I just got rid of most of the algae growing since of last two weeks.

Good luck, reef aquariums are beautiful :19:
I saw the post it looks beautiful. I may come poking around for advice if you don't mind lol thumbs2:

[MCHRKiller]

Lighting 5.5G tanks is a hard task, the only fixtures Ive found to really fit the 16" size is by Catalinia....this would be a nice fixture if you wanted to go reef http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_74&products_id=1193 and I have ordered this for my own 5.5G planted...would be nice for a FOWLR as well http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_76&products_id=1229

If your wanting to use it as a fuge an AC70 may be a better option than the AC50 as they offer *alot* more space in the media chamber and the flow isn't of significance as you can adjust that. I put in 20lbs of LS into my 15G high and it has created about a 2" bed. You would want no more IMO than 8-10lbs. I am personally a huge fan of Pacific East (www.pacificeastaquaculture.com). They sell some of the best live rock Ive ever came across, and they sell live sand to at a decent cost to.

[Fishguy2727]

They sell 30# bags of live rock? It is wet and in a tank?

Honestly an AC50 fuge would be effectively useless. I really think for about the same cost you could easily do a 10 and use the 5.5 as a sump or fuge.

Everyone I have talked to says that any skimmers for tansk under about 30 gallons are not even worth buying, water changes will be much more effective. Save the money.

Put the money from the skimmer toward the lighting. I know you aren't planning on much, but better lighting is always better. The last thing you want is to find a coral you like and have to not get it because your lighting is inadequate. The 5.5 at work has a 2x9 watt compact fluorescent Current fixture with LED moonlight. It runs about $100 but does a greta job.

I personally think mushrooms are inappropriate for such a small tank. They can easily grow so large and split so much that they take over. Zoanthids are much more appropriate, come in at least as many colors, and will 'fit' the tank better.

In addition to corals I would add things like nassarius snails, a few of the little nano hermits, and that is about it. There are very few options for fish, but if you are too tempted and have to get something they should be something like clown gobies.

[Xochi16]

Lighting 5.5G tanks is a hard task, the only fixtures Ive found to really fit the 16" size is by Catalinia....this would be a nice fixture if you wanted to go reef http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_74&products_id=1193 and I have ordered this for my own 5.5G planted...would be nice for a FOWLR as well http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_76&products_id=1229

If your wanting to use it as a fuge an AC70 may be a better option than the AC50 as they offer *alot* more space in the media chamber and the flow isn't of significance as you can adjust that. I put in 20lbs of LS into my 15G high and it has created about a 2" bed. You would want no more IMO than 8-10lbs. I am personally a huge fan of Pacific East (www.pacificeastaquaculture.com). They sell some of the best live rock Ive ever came across, and they sell live sand to at a decent cost to.

Thank you very much for the links! how many watts do you think I would need? I am actually going to order from Pacific east, I ran across their website. they have some stunning corals ^_^

[coachfraley]

I agree with the others...go with an AC70 and no skimmer.

Like MCHR said, the trick is going to be finding the right light for a 5.5g. If you switch to a 10g, it will really open up a lot more options regarding lights. A 10g will also allow you to keep a fish or two, depending on how high you want the bio-load to be.

[MCHRKiller]

lol, Id skim it to...just for the sake of it would help. Tanks this small are always tetering on the edge of a potential crash...based just on the low water volume. For nanos your naturally going to need more wattage per gallon to achieve nice results, that 48watt fixture is honestly about the best lighting you can get for that 5.5G especially for its cost. It will provide enough light to easily grow the corals you want, but its not over-lighting the tank. If you could move to just a 10G tank your options would triple, and your chance of success would also increase dramatically. Honestly the cost wouldnt be really any different than the 5.5G...but with nearly twice the volume of water....the stability would save you alot of headache in the future.

[Xochi16]

Also, has anyone used the Fission nano skimmer? I ran across a different one a Rio Nano Skimmer.
http://www.aquacave.com/fission-nano-protein-skimmerbr-by-current-usa-488.html

http://www.marineandreef.com/ProductDetails.asp?HistoryRemove=2092&ProductCode=RTI01014&historysingle=YES

Any idea which would be better?

[coachfraley]

From what I have heard, they both stink.

The only nano skimmer I have ever heard good things about is this one:
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_Internal_Mini_Protein_Skimmer_115_In_S ump_Venturi_Protein_Skimmers-AquaticLife-AK01114-FIPSISVS-vi.html

[Xochi16]

So if I switch to a 10gal, would I need to change anything about the setup? Thanks for all of the info guys! ^_^
-Use the 5.5gal as the refug
-Powerhead
-Skimmer
-15-20lbs LS
-10-12lbs LR
-50-70W Heater

[Xochi16]

They sell 30# bags of live rock? It is wet and in a tank?

Honestly an AC50 fuge would be effectively useless. I really think for about the same cost you could easily do a 10 and use the 5.5 as a sump or fuge.

Everyone I have talked to says that any skimmers for tansk under about 30 gallons are not even worth buying, water changes will be much more effective. Save the money.

Put the money from the skimmer toward the lighting. I know you aren't planning on much, but better lighting is always better. The last thing you want is to find a coral you like and have to not get it because your lighting is inadequate. The 5.5 at work has a 2x9 watt compact fluorescent Current fixture with LED moonlight. It runs about $100 but does a greta job.

I personally think mushrooms are inappropriate for such a small tank. They can easily grow so large and split so much that they take over. Zoanthids are much more appropriate, come in at least as many colors, and will 'fit' the tank better.

In addition to corals I would add things like nassarius snails, a few of the little nano hermits, and that is about it. There are very few options for fish, but if you are too tempted and have to get something they should be something like clown gobies.
Yeah, he is a local guy. He travels down to florida often all he deals in is live sand and corals. I had seen a DIY hood, the guy made a wooden hood and put three under cabinet LED's in it. I think it was a total of 50+ watts. Would this not work either? I'll check into all of the links! thanks!

[MCHRKiller]

Ive heard good and bad things about any of those skimmers. The general census IMO is...any skimmer is better than none. I personally like external skimmers for the cleanness they provide inside the tank, don't have all that clutter of equipment. The Aqua-C Remora Nano skimmer would be my first pick for a skimmer on that tank personally. Of course if positioning of your tank would allow for it I would stick a BakBak on there personally.

Outside of getting a somewhat larger light fixture, and a slightly better skimmer you wouldn't need to change anything IMO. Personally I would look at fishneedit.com for their 70watt metal halide fixture...one of those would really be nice on a 10G reef setup. For live rock I would probably bump it up to 12-15lbs of it personally. I probably wouldn't bother trying to DIY lighting when there are so many independent lighting companies selling nice fixtures at some great prices.

[Xochi16]

Ive heard good and bad things about any of those skimmers. The general census IMO is...any skimmer is better than none. I personally like external skimmers for the cleanness they provide inside the tank, don't have all that clutter of equipment. The Aqua-C Remora Nano skimmer would be my first pick for a skimmer on that tank personally. Of course if positioning of your tank would allow for it I would stick a BakBak on there personally.

Outside of getting a somewhat larger light fixture, and a slightly better skimmer you wouldn't need to change anything IMO. Personally I would look at fishneedit.com for their 70watt metal halide fixture...one of those would really be nice on a 10G reef setup. For live rock I would probably bump it up to 12-15lbs of it personally. I probably wouldn't bother trying to DIY lighting when there are so many independent lighting companies selling nice fixtures at some great prices.
Do you have a recommended skimmer for a 10gal? I found a 40w and 65w from Current USA
http://www.marineandreef.com/Satellite_Single_40W_Current_USA_Satellite_20_inch _p/rcu01002.htm

[MCHRKiller]

If you could DIY a hoold like in the middle of the page with the 2*36watt CF bulbs that would be fabulous. Have a 10,000K and an actinic. The single 55watt is just a bit low for a 10G lighting IMO. Not to mention you could really give the corals their preferable mix of daylight and actinic lighting with the 2*36 and it would fit over your tank better than the single 55watt bulb.

For skimmer, I would look into an Aqua C Remora Nano skimmer.