5 gallon pico tank as a beginner?

[CommaderFerret]

Hi! I'm new to this forum so please tell me if this is the wrong place to ask this.

I've recently been researching nano reef tanks after keeping freshwater for a couple of years. I know that smaller tanks tend to be trickier to take care of than large ones but I don't have the space for a larger aquarium right now. I'm not looking to keep fish just some corals, macroalgea and maybe some inverts if its appropriate. I was hoping for some input on corals that would be suited for a beginner and tips from those who have kept pico tanks before.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

I say go for it! Get an Auto Top Off system (ATO) which will keep the salinity stable, and get a 5 gallon bucket, heater, and pump to premix and heat water for water changes. I think you can be quite successful

Good luck!

 

[IceNein]

Welcome! Pico tanks can definitely work for a beginner, but as Fish Fan said, you will want to get an ATO right away.

 

[Tahoe61]

I keep a 6 gallon ReefCasa Pico. Do you already know the brand of Pico you might get?
Lighting is going to be important. I think the Kessil A80 or the AI HD would be cool.
As suggested the ATO is really important.
In my Pico I keep Maxi-Mini Anemone, Zoanthid, Duncan, Clams and a Toad Stool.

 

[VintageReefer]

Here’s a 1 gallon, if I can do it in 1g you can do it in 5g!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/1-1-gallon-oceanbox-p1-g-pico-reef.1043173/

 

[CommaderFerret]

Wow thank you all so much for the support! I'm not 100% sure on weather I want to get a fully built setup like a waterbox or just a 5 gallon from petco with a hob and light. I'm definately leaning towards a fluval evo in terms of a full kit, any thoughts about leaning one way or another?

 

[CommaderFerret]

Here’s a 1 gallon, if I can do it in 1g you can do it in 5g!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/1-1-gallon-oceanbox-p1-g-pico-reef.1043173/

Thats such a neat little setup! I love how those bubble tip look!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Did you figure out what kind of tank you wanted?

 

[CommaderFerret]

I unfortunately don't have the space/money at this time but when I do I think I'll be getting a fluval evo 5.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

It’s easier than people claim. The most important thing is some type of auto-top off system. Even a cheap plastic one like this tank has is enough, you just can’t afford the massive salinity swings smaller systems have. My daughter’s Eshopps Deskmate is thriving with just weekly water changes.

 

[CommaderFerret]

Yep a ATO is 100% on the list when the time comes :] Those anemones(?) look fantastic by the way!

 

[jman2u]

Heyo! And welcome!

I started reefing in last May after researching for a month or so. I started with a 5.5 gallon with softies! Definitely doable with lots of research, and go slow!
If you don't want to get an ATO, you can make a lid out of polycarbonate to reduce evaporation!

Here's my tank!

 

[CommaderFerret]

Wow that looks fantastic! I was planning on making a poly lid, I have an extremely nosy cat who has a taste for aquarium water haha

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Wow that looks fantastic! I was planning on making a poly lid, I have an extremely nosy cat who has a taste for aquarium water haha

Good idea! I made a lid for my tank using one of those screen door kits you can get at a hardware store

 

[CommaderFerret]

Interesting, do you peel it back to open it? And how bad is evaporation with a mesh lid?