Perfect size for a reef pico tank

[Redbird5]

I'm starting a pico reef aquarium. I want softies, nothing crazy. Currently I'm starting a maxspect dice pico 2g aquarium. I'm moving up because this tank is absolute garbage. The pumps died within months of setting the aquarium up. Thankfully I bought another larger aquarium before that happened.
I'm researching a new aquarium. Something I can have in my home office around my desk while I work. What size should I look into? What brand? My big aquarium is a JBJ 45G AIO. I'm pleased with it, but I don't want to spend hundreds on lights, sand and rock right. I'd prefer maybe a kit.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

My Nano is around 5 gallons and I personally feel its the perfect size because it fits nicely on my desk while also still having a bit more water volume (which is still very little) and with a 5 gallon I personally feel comfortable keeping a fish. The best part about it is the tank probably only cost me around $200 in total. I tried to find the exact tank I bought but I couldn't find It, I'll check its brand and check again when I get home!

 

[Redbird5]

My Nano is around 5 gallons and I personally feel its the perfect size because it fits nicely on my desk while also still having a bit more water volume (which is still very little) and with a 5 gallon I personally feel comfortable keeping a fish. The best part about it is the tank probably only cost me around $200 in total. I tried to find the exact tank I bought but I couldn't find It, I'll check its brand and check again when I get home!

There is a 5 gallon aquarium on BRS I'm looking at. It acrylic, I'd prefer glass. I doubt I'll buy anything until the new year. My aquarium is paid off next month. I don't want to add another bill if I can help it right now. If my pico aquarium stays working I'll roll with it.

 

[Fish Fan]

Are you looking to keep fish? If so, I think about 10 gallons is the minimum, and even then you're limited to a couple two or three small, inactive fish like Gobies. 15+ gallons is better if you want fish.

Without fish, I think the 5-10 gallon range is the sweet spot. Not too small, not too big, and you can really do a lot with them as far asa inverts. Small inverts like Sexy Shrimp that might get lost (or eaten!) in a larger tank can be the stars of a small pico tank.

Good luck!

 

[Redbird5]

Are you looking to keep fish? If so, I think about 10 gallons is the minimum, and even then you're limited to a couple two or three small, inactive fish like Gobies. 15+ gallons is better if you want fish.

Without fish, I think the 5-10 gallon range is the sweet spot. Not too small, not too big, and you can really do a lot with them as far asa inverts. Small inverts like Sexy Shrimp that might get lost (or eaten!) in a larger tank can be the stars of a small pico tank.

Good luck!

In a perfect world, I'd love to have a 10 gallon aquarium. That perfect world I'd live in a house and not rent. As long as my 2.5g aquarium works I'm not going to get another aquarium. It just means keeping things very simple for the time being.

 

[JumboShrimp]

These slant-nose fronts are really cool. I owned a couple of the 7-gallons; this is the 5-gallon.

 

[JumboShrimp]

 

[Redbird5]

Whatcha got in there?

 

[JumboShrimp]

They were just hodge-podge tanks that I used to fool around with; really those Kessil A80 lights would grow anything, the tanks were so shallow. If I had them up today I'd probably use a Blade Grow for lighting. A neon green piece of Cabbage Leather would be an easy color-pop in there, for sure.

 

[Redbird5]

They were just hodge-podge tanks that I used to fool around with; really those Kessil A80 lights would grow anything, the tanks were so shallow. If I had them up today I'd probably use a Blade Grow for lighting. A neon green piece of Cabbage Leather would be an easy color-pop in there, for sure.

I think if I were to get a 15 gallon I'd get a pair of black clownfish. Those are need. They'd have to be the only fish in the aquarium, I think.

 

[X-37B]

My im 15

Cant beat this price for what you get.

 

[Redbird5]

My im 15

Cant beat this price for what you get.
View attachment 4253923 View attachment 4253923 View attachment 4253923

Where'd you get it?

 

[toothybugs]

I have a cheapie Imagitarium 3.7gal AIO that, when my office betta finally craps out, will become a little salt tank with a Kessil A80 or A160 over the top of it. I'm considering DIY'ing a micro-skimmer in the middle chamber instead of foam but otherwise will make no changes to it. It's a neat little system so far and I'm looking forward to playing with it a bit.

 

[VintageReefer]

This is my counter top pico all in one
1.1 gallons

A few different setups. I’ve had to change things out due to growth. And I crashed it once and rebuilt it

Current setup

 

[cubozoa]

I just bought the hello reef 15 gallon kit. It says clownfish and anemone kit but you don’t have to do that specifically. It comes with everything you need in one box, the only extra thing I bought is an auto top off system so that I don’t need to keep an eye on the salinity and evaporation constantly. It’s a 15x15 inch cube and I’m keeping it in my bedroom on a table beside my desk. It’s big enough not to be annoying to take care of like a 5 gal would be, but small enough to be suitable for what you want, most likely.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

This is my counter top pico all in one
1.1 gallons

A few different setups. I’ve had to change things out due to growth. And I crashed it once and rebuilt it

Current setup

I've always wanted one of those tanks but I've been too scared to get one as I worry I'd knock it over

 

[cubozoa]

I just bought the hello reef 15 gallon kit. It says clownfish and anemone kit but you don’t have to do that specifically. It comes with everything you need in one box, the only extra thing I bought is an auto top off system so that I don’t need to keep an eye on the salinity and evaporation constantly. It’s a 15x15 inch cube and I’m keeping it in my bedroom on a table beside my desk. It’s big enough not to be annoying to take care of like a 5 gal would be, but small enough to be suitable for what you want, most likely.

I just realized what a pico reef tank is, my bad. But I still think this might be worth considering instead. It’s still small by saltwater standards but suitable for fish

 

[X-37B]

Where'd you get it?

It's a an IM tank Google it.

 

[VintageReefer]

I've always wanted one of those tanks but I've been too scared to get one as I worry I'd knock it over

It’s pretty sturdy! I can slide it but I don’t think I could knock it over accidentally.

 

[Redbird5]

Currently I have a maxspect dice pico 2g aquarium, it came with a filter that would cause current but it broke. I have a sponge filter. Do I need a wave maker or do they make one.