First reef tank

[britzles]

I'm going to try to grow coral in a 3 gallon tank; probably no more then 2 kinds. Does anyone have any advise about using tanks this small, or what coral would be best for it. I have heard both stories that small tanks are good or not good for beginners growing coral? Example below.

 

[Len]

:welcome:

Small tanks are actually much harder to keep then mid-sized tanks. This is because the small volume of water is less stable and makes it more difficult to fine tune variables as needed. If it is your first tank, I would consider something in the 30-60 gallon range, which I consider the perfect size for new hobbyists. They aren't too big and intimidating, but they provide enough volume for stability and tolerance.

But if you're set on small tanks, just make sure you do a lot of regular water changes with high quality water (good salt mix, RO/DI water). The problem and trick to keeping a tiny tank is water quality.

 

[Microcosmos]

Also evaporation happens fast in a small tank, you may be topping off with freshwater every single day, not good if you want to spend a weekend somewhere away from your fish tank!

 

[Anonymous]

A small mistake in a big tank is a small mistake. A small mistake in a small tank is a big mistake.


Overdosing 5ml of iodine in a 60 gallon tank is probably not an issue. Doing the same in a 5 gallon is a disaster.

 

[Sea Turtle]

:welcome:

I would think that keeping a stable temperature in a tank that small would be very difficult. If the room gets too hot on a summer afternoon then you’ll have shrimp cocktail.