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- Mar 26, 2017
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So I picked up a Fluval Evo 5 gallon while I was out picking up a Fluval Spec III for my girlfriend about a month ago. I have been keeping a small log so I will be posting what I have so far over a bit of time and then continued updates as I continue to progress. This is my first attempt at saltwater and a reef so please bare with me and offer and tips or suggestions; I have been reading like crazy absorbing as much information as I can.
I also know that starting with such a small tank makes my first attempt at reefing more difficult but I am up for the challenge. I am already in the progress of putting together a 40g breeder as well but I haven't gotten around to cutting the tubing for my bean animal overflow yet. At least I have already drilled the tank and installed the overflow just not the tubing yet. Hopefully this endeavour with the 5 gallon will give me some insight and lessons that I use as I continue to learn.
But back to the 5 gallon, , I created this thread to track my progress and share my experiences. Any ideas, suggestions or comments are extremely welcome. I am currently going to running the evo pretty close to stock and seems so far so good.
My tank has been wet for 1 month and 10 days so far and I am learning so far every day of it. I have the bug and I am loving it so far. I have been taking on planted freshwater tanks up until now but I have always wanted to move into a reef tank. I also have a 2.7 gallon planted, 3 gallon planted, 10 gallon planted, and 30 gallon that I enjoy playing with those tanks as well.
Tank Specs:
Possible Tank Upgrades (in the future as needed):
Current Inhabitants:
Inhabitants I am thinking about:
My ro/di unit on my counter next to one of my small planted freshwater tanks.
Grabbed some of the dry rock I purchased for my 40g and was seeing what kind of scape I wanted
Original Stand Getting the tank wet
I started with 2 pieces of live rock that was only out of water for about 5-10 minutes prior to putting it into the tank. Here was the original aquascape that I started with
I quickly noticed that the stand I had the tank on may not be enough support so I went out and picked another stand up and did a little rearranging of the aquascape. This picture also shows my first coral my florida ricordia.
Here is a closer look at the ricordia. I picked the ric and my pistol shrimp up the same day and they were actually my first inhabitants
Here is a closer look at my pistol shrimp, this was actually the only time I have seen him, but I continue to hear his snapping so I know he is alive. I knew he would hide a lot but I really wish I'd see him more because he is so awesome. Hopefully if I get a shrimp goby he would be a little more fearless and venture out of his den during the day.
I will post another update today trying to get caught up with my current progress. I have to dig up some pictures and look through my own log to recollect exactly what has happened and the timelines of that. I know pico tanks aren't always the favorite on these forums so hopefully I don't get bashed people can still appreciate the tank. I plan to be responsible and not intentionally stress fish or other inhabitants.
So stay tuned!
Thanks
I also know that starting with such a small tank makes my first attempt at reefing more difficult but I am up for the challenge. I am already in the progress of putting together a 40g breeder as well but I haven't gotten around to cutting the tubing for my bean animal overflow yet. At least I have already drilled the tank and installed the overflow just not the tubing yet. Hopefully this endeavour with the 5 gallon will give me some insight and lessons that I use as I continue to learn.
But back to the 5 gallon, , I created this thread to track my progress and share my experiences. Any ideas, suggestions or comments are extremely welcome. I am currently going to running the evo pretty close to stock and seems so far so good.
My tank has been wet for 1 month and 10 days so far and I am learning so far every day of it. I have the bug and I am loving it so far. I have been taking on planted freshwater tanks up until now but I have always wanted to move into a reef tank. I also have a 2.7 gallon planted, 3 gallon planted, 10 gallon planted, and 30 gallon that I enjoy playing with those tanks as well.
Tank Specs:
- Fluval Evo 5
- inTank Media Basket for Fluval EVO/Spec V
- Media Basket is running: Filter Floss -> Carbon -> Chemi-pure-elite blue -> Biomax Pellets
- Stock light
- Stock Filter
- Hydor Theo 50w heater
- Digital Thermometer
- BRS value plus rodi unit (purchased for use with 40g)
- Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
- CaribSea Fiji Pink Arag-Alive Sand
Possible Tank Upgrades (in the future as needed):
- Aqueon 600 to replace stock pump
- Lighting (either Current USA Oribt or TrueLumen Aquatic LED Strips as an addition)
- Hydor 240 / Hydor 180 (needed if I go to Aqueon 600?)
Current Inhabitants:
- 1 Candy-cane Pistol Shrimp
- 1 Cleaner Shrimp
- 2 Nerite Snails (1 was killed so far by the pistol )
- 2 Astrea Snails
- 1 Florida Ricordia
- 1 Duncan Coral
- 1 Small Zoa Frag (Bam Bam)
Inhabitants I am thinking about:
- 1 small Clown
- (this would most likely only be temporary as a mature clown would have to high of a bioload; I'd make sure to have my 40 Setup and running prior)
- 1 Yellow Watchman Goby or Yasha Goby
- Corals still new so looking for beginner ideas
- Other ideas for a fish instead of what is mentioned above?
My ro/di unit on my counter next to one of my small planted freshwater tanks.
Grabbed some of the dry rock I purchased for my 40g and was seeing what kind of scape I wanted
Original Stand Getting the tank wet
I started with 2 pieces of live rock that was only out of water for about 5-10 minutes prior to putting it into the tank. Here was the original aquascape that I started with
I quickly noticed that the stand I had the tank on may not be enough support so I went out and picked another stand up and did a little rearranging of the aquascape. This picture also shows my first coral my florida ricordia.
Here is a closer look at the ricordia. I picked the ric and my pistol shrimp up the same day and they were actually my first inhabitants
Here is a closer look at my pistol shrimp, this was actually the only time I have seen him, but I continue to hear his snapping so I know he is alive. I knew he would hide a lot but I really wish I'd see him more because he is so awesome. Hopefully if I get a shrimp goby he would be a little more fearless and venture out of his den during the day.
I will post another update today trying to get caught up with my current progress. I have to dig up some pictures and look through my own log to recollect exactly what has happened and the timelines of that. I know pico tanks aren't always the favorite on these forums so hopefully I don't get bashed people can still appreciate the tank. I plan to be responsible and not intentionally stress fish or other inhabitants.
So stay tuned!
Thanks
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