Pico 5gallon for beginner

[Splasheo]

Hey there! I've been wanting to try saltwater for a while now, and I've got a spare 5 gallon (12x9x10 inches) just sitting around, and I was hoping to turn this into a budget pico tank, just to get a try at this hobby. I just had a couple questions about this

I have a 6500k white light freshwater light, can I use this on the tank? I want to try some very easy corals, but if not, can I simply do a macro-algae dominated tank?
For water, I'm considering 2 options right now. I could either buy ~20 gallons of premixed saltwater at the store for 20$, and just do that, with distilled water as top-off, or would it be more financially beneficial to mix my own saltwater with distilled?

For water filtration and flow, can i use a combined filter and wavemaker like the one listed below? Will it have too much flow for a tank this small? Or would it be better to just buy a hang on back filter, and a smaller wavemaker? Do I even need a wavemaker for a macroalgae tank?

For stocking, i plan on going with a small goby, like a green banded goby. Are there any fish (like swimming fish that don't just sit on the floor) that I can keep? I really like falcos hawkfish, firefish gobies, or clownfish, but I'm pretty sure they can't be kept in a tank this small.

Can I use a freshwater ammonia tester on saltwater?

Is there anything that I'm missing from my shopping list below? Just double checking

-Refractometer
-Sand
-Rocks
-Filter/Wavemaker
-Heater
-Saltmix?

Really appreciate your time reading this, and any additional comments are welcome, thanks!

Filter/Wavemaker | Amazon.ca

AQQA Aquarium Filter,4-in-1 Submersible Fish Tank Internal Filtes,Triple Filtration Adjustable Water Flow,Wave Making,Filtered Water,Dissolved Oxygen,Water Circulation Salterwater Freshwater (12W)​

Light that I have | Amazon.ca

Pawfly Aquarium LED Light with Full Spectrum Brilliant White Blue Red Lights with Daytime & Night Modes and Adjustable Brightness Extendable Aluminum Light for 12 to 18 Inch Fish Tanks​

 

[Llyod276]

If you're a beginner I would avoid starting with a pico tank. Unless you have an extreme ocd complex and tons of spare time. I can barely handle a 15g, can't imagine a 5g tank. But hey it's still a step toward reefing.

 

[Llyod276]

Actually a small pair of clowns ain't a bad idea. But the maintenance and parameters, yeesh. look into a firefish they will hide but eventually come out. Very skittish fish... but again unrecommended. Maybe wait till you can go a bit bigger...

 

[Tahoe61]

Sure you could make it a low budget SW pico. I recommend making your own SW using distilled. Just use Instant Ocean salt mix.

Get a Clscea Aquarium Auto Refiller off Amazon for 11.00 bucks. Specific gravity is a challenge in Picos. A top off device is a most.

Cycle the tank with any one of the cycling products available. I used Fluval Cycle and Ammonia Chloride. You're going to need SW test kits.

I wouldn't keep anything larger than a small goby. Neon Gobies are perfect and personable.

Get a decent HOB filter like a Hygger. You get more volume with a HOB. You won't need a wavemaker.

Try the light with some macroalgae. You can always add more light.

Picos do take a bigger commitment. Once cycled you're going to want to do roughly a .5 gallon water change weekly initially.

Feed lightly, stock slowly. Don't try any stoney corals or larger fish.

:)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Use distilled water, avoid buying LFS water IMO. The 6500k light will work for some corals, you'll need to be selective. I would get a small hob filter, and one small powerhead. Get salifert testers, no don't use freshwater testers on saltwater. Get at least ammonia and nitrate to guide you through the cycle, then nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity are the testers you'll use most often, stay away from API.

I like your idea of a small goby, or a goby and pistol shrimp pair.. it would not be nice to add another fish IMO, the tank is too small. It would also be more challenging to provide sufficient filtration. Its better to start with a 15 or 20 gallon IMO, it will give you a few more options for fish.

I don't know what you mean by "dissolved oxygen", in SW we use powerheads to agitate the water surface to help gas exchange. A protein skimmer is the ieal way to oxygenate the water, but your tank is too small to warrant a skimmer.

Anyway you seem on the right track, good luck.

 

[Splasheo]

Sure you could make it a low budget SW pico. I recommend making your own SW using distilled. Just use Instant Ocean salt mix.

Get a Clscea Aquarium Auto Refiller off Amazon for 11.00 bucks. Specific gravity is a challenge in Picos. A top off device is a most.

Cycle the tank with any one of the cycling products available. I used Fluval Cycle and Ammonia Chloride. You're going to need SW test kits.

I wouldn't keep anything larger than a small goby. Neon Gobies are perfect and personable.

Get a decent HOB filter like a Hygger. You get more volume with a HOB. You won't need a wavemaker.

Try the light with some macroalgae. You can always add more light.

Picos do take a bigger commitment. Once cycled you're going to want to do roughly a .5 gallon water change weekly initially.

Feed lightly, stock slowly. Don't try any stoney corals or larger fish.

:)

Thanks so much! The auto refiller seems really good. Are you sure I dont need a wavemaker for corals? Dont they need it to feed?

 

[Splasheo]

Use distilled water, avoid buying LFS water IMO. The 6500k light will work for some corals, you'll need to be selective. I would get a small hob filter, and one small powerhead. Get salifert testers, no don't use freshwater testers on saltwater. Get at least ammonia and nitrate to guide you through the cycle, then nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity are the testers you'll use most often, stay away from API.

I like your idea of a small goby, or a goby and pistol shrimp pair.. it would not be nice to add another fish IMO, the tank is too small. It would also be more challenging to provide sufficient filtration. Its better to start with a 15 or 20 gallon IMO, it will give you a few more options for fish.

I don't know what you mean by "dissolved oxygen", in SW we use powerheads to agitate the water surface to help gas exchange. A protein skimmer is the ieal way to oxygenate the water, but your tank is too small to warrant a skimmer.

Anyway you seem on the right track, good luck.

got it, any specific coral reccomendations?

 

[Reeferoni123]

Very easy softies, like GSP, xenia, and leathers, are your entry level corals appropriate here. Maybe some zoanthids and mushrooms too.

 

[Splasheo]

Very easy softies, like GSP, xenia, and leathers, are your entry level corals appropriate here. Maybe some zoanthids and mushrooms too.

lovely corals, will definitely get them

 

[Splasheo]

Use distilled water, avoid buying LFS water IMO. The 6500k light will work for some corals, you'll need to be selective. I would get a small hob filter, and one small powerhead. Get salifert testers, no don't use freshwater testers on saltwater. Get at least ammonia and nitrate to guide you through the cycle, then nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity are the testers you'll use most often, stay away from API.

I like your idea of a small goby, or a goby and pistol shrimp pair.. it would not be nice to add another fish IMO, the tank is too small. It would also be more challenging to provide sufficient filtration. Its better to start with a 15 or 20 gallon IMO, it will give you a few more options for fish.

I don't know what you mean by "dissolved oxygen", in SW we use powerheads to agitate the water surface to help gas exchange. A protein skimmer is the ieal way to oxygenate the water, but your tank is too small to warrant a skimmer.

Anyway you seem on the right track, good luck.

Do I need all the salifert testers, or just a couple in particular?

 

[Jim Gomoll]

A small 5g SW PICO can be done. Keep in mind as already noted it is harder than larger tanks but think we’re beyond that point. Good Luck dipping your toes into saltwater.

On top of suggestions already made keep these in mind.

Be patient, don’t rush. Let tank cycle, settle in and slowly add your fish/corals over time. Don't overload.

Also, there are allot of budget options for filters, lights, etc. that will work for a 5g. However buying super cheap components will only make your SW adventure harder to mange and you’ll end up spending more money in the long run.

1yr mostly softies

 

[Tahoe61]

Thanks so much! The auto refiller seems really good. Are you sure I dont need a wavemaker for corals? Dont they need it to feed?

A wavemaker is a plus, finding one the works in a Pico is a challenge. Look at the Hygger Mini wave maker, it has a controller so you can dial it way down. It's specifically made for 5-20 gallon tanks. I use one in my 14 gallon. The Hygger Mini was too much my 6 gallon Pico. It's like 69.00 on Amazon.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I did a 2.6G with a UNS tank.

If your trying to be real budget minded.

Here are some great options I used.

HOB filter
Hygger light
heater
gravity ATO

Tank is too small for any fish. Maybe a clown goby or shrimp. Some hermits or snails are okay too.

For such a small tank, you can start out with buying premixed water and getting distilled jugs until you feel your ready to mix your own.

 

[Splasheo]

I did a 2.6G with a UNS tank.

If your trying to be real budget minded.

Here are some great options I used.

HOB filter
Hygger light
heater
gravity ATO

Tank is too small for any fish. Maybe a clown goby or shrimp. Some hermits or snails are okay too.

For such a small tank, you can start out with buying premixed water and getting distilled jugs until you feel your ready to mix your own.

Thanks!

 

[Splasheo]

A wavemaker is a plus, finding one the works in a Pico is a challenge. Look at the Hygger Mini wave maker, it has a controller so you can dial it way down. It's specifically made for 5-20 gallon tanks. I use one in my 14 gallon. The Hygger Mini was too much my 6 gallon Pico. It's like 69.00 on Amazon.

70$ is a little much... do you think one of these wavemakers would work? Or would it be too much flow.

 

[Tahoe61]

70$ is a little much... do you think one of these wavemakers would work? Or would it be too much

I prefer the Sicce from Petco.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

70$ is a little much... do you think one of these wavemakers would work? Or would it be too much flow.

Its going to be too strong for a tank that size. And its not adjustable.
I would suggest something like this: USB wavemaker

I would wait on a wavemaker though. You may find the hob filter provides enough flow.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

A sicce nano voyager 265 gph is what I used in my 5 gallon.

 

[Jim Gomoll]

A wavemaker is a plus, finding one the works in a Pico is a challenge. Look at the Hygger Mini wave maker, it has a controller so you can dial it way down. It's specifically made for 5-20 gallon tanks. I use one in my 14 gallon. The Hygger Mini was too much my 6 gallon Pico. It's like 69.00 on Amazon.

I'm with you Tahoe. Tried the Mini Slim in my 6.7g and agree too much flow even at lowest setting for a 5g. Although a constant flow a tiny 50GPH Mini Submersible fountain pump blowing along back wall creates more than enough cross flow.

 

[Splasheo]

Its going to be too strong for a tank that size. And its not adjustable.
I would suggest something like this: USB wavemaker

I would wait on a wavemaker though. You may find the hob filter provides enough flow.

do you think a filter like this or this would be good?