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.

 

[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?