5.5g nano sw tank

[JoseDepacos]

so just a normal size filter some live sand and rock and let it go for a while?

Once again, in all reality you wont need an actual "filter". Your live rock will be your filter. Just a pump or two depending on tank size for good water and surface movement. You can buy your choice of substrate as well because your live rock will seed your substrate and make it "live". Many folks here on the forum, including myself think live sand is money poorly spent. You're just paying for water weight but of course you can use it if you like. These tanks take anywhere from 2 weeks to a month to cycle. Just watch your water parameters. The time your cycle takes will depend on how much die off you get from your live rock. If your rock was already cured and nice and clean it will go quickly. Some stores offer cured rock at a higher price. If you do use a filter, like some, just remove any elements from it and put some live rock rubble in it to act as a tiny refugium. The thousands of tiny organisms living in the rock is what makes it such an efficient filter.

[Mezzovex]

pretty much. I have a hob marineland filter rated for 55g on mine. It has some filter media in it just cuz. The rocks are what really filter it. I only have about 1\2in sand in my tank. My clean up crew is pretty big for the size of tank. I waited 6 weeks before I added any live creatures. I first added my shrimp and snails, then a hermit and a emerald crab. I then added my urchin and my tube aneneome. I then got my 3 nickel sized mushrooms, and then a couple bunches of zoas. Only 2 weeks ago did i add my strawberry psudichomie. My tank seems to be totally ballanced. I want to get a few more types of coral.

[JoseDepacos]

is this something a SW virgin could do?

That Marineland is my SW virgin tank as well, and as the OP said if I can keep this alive I Can keep a big one alive easy. I don't have an extra pump in my marine land though; maybe I should use my extra Aquaclear 30 with hose and an airstone, comments?

I dont know what you have for a filter atm but in such a small tank it doesnt take much. The rule seems to be tank size (5.5g) times ten. So any pump or filter type that moves at least 55 gallons per hour. Many folks will tell you to avoid air bubbles in a marine tank at all costs. I think the bubbles get trapped and are deadly to many fish and coral types. I wouldnt reccommend air stones or aerators of any kind.

[xrayjeeper83]

thanks for all the tips yall, i will be saving some money to try this one out

[Brent]

Haha, now I'm inspired where I ought not be inspired. Too many projects going on already...

[xrayjeeper83]

same here brent, i dont even have fish in my 55 yet and now im thinking of a nano tank LOL

[Brent]

Well, I've still got to get my congo for the 25g (really wishing I had a 29 / 33), set up the 10 and 5 (snails and, if the congo likes them, shrimp breeders), still debating whether or not to feed live fish... If I do, that'll require another 15-20g for platies, need another 10g for dwarf puffers (unless the feeder shrimp don't work out), also need to buy a bunch of stuff (including the tank!) for a 55g temperate marine native to Newfoundland reef, working on getting some pygmy chameleons and now, possibly, a nano tank or two!

Now tell me that's not a lot going on.

[JoseDepacos]

Yeah, I keep trying to convince myself I have enough but I want a bearded dragon. Main reason I dont want to get one is my cat. Dont think the two will mix very well.

[Brent]

I disagree Jose. You'd be surprised at the oddly matched friendships that can emerge from your pets.

[JoseDepacos]

She is highly intelligent and listens well but I hate to stress the dragon, especially when young.

[Brent]

You may be right, however if you could keep them separate with minimal interaction it could work, and after acclimatizing to its new home, you would likely be able to gradually introduce the cat and bearded to each other.

Not that I'm encouraging you or anything...

[JoseDepacos]

You may be right, however if you could keep them separate with minimal interaction it could work, and after acclimatizing to its new home, you would likely be able to gradually introduce the cat and bearded to each other.

Not that I'm encouraging you or anything...

Lol, yes you are. This is difficult enough.

[Brent]

Okay, okay.

But you know... Haha

Just kidding. (:

[e]

Oh, and thread hijacked.

[JoseDepacos]

The nano has a couple inhabitants besides snails and hermits now.
Love the yellow watchman gobies. His soon to be life partner is on order. (red banded pistol shrimp)

Not a huge coral fan but there are a few I'd like to have. Thought I would start small and see how they do. Theres also a zoanthid frag in there I havent taken pics of yet.

[Brent]

Not much point of a nano if you don't have corals.

I think having the shrimp/goby pair will be, if ever you catch them out of their burrow together, cool to watch.