Question on water change for 5 gallon nano

[jvaldez68as]

How frequent would I have to change water on a 5 Gal nano reef tank?

[dwdenny]

I would say once a week is fine. If you dont want to run a skimmer you can even do a 95% water change and not have to worry about most things building up. But most will stick with a 20% water change just remember in a nano things can go down hill in a hurry so you will have to stay on top of things.

[jvaldez68as]

Is there anything in particular I should pay more attention to? This is my first reef tank and I've done a bunch of research (MAAST has great resources), and I understand that doing things on a smaller scale can be tougher. I'm also going to run about 18-20w of 50/50 lighting, will this be sufficient?

[brewercm]

What do you intend to keep in this nano? That lighting will be fine for some softies but that's about it, and not much more you could probably add to a 5 gal though. I'd just change out about 1 gallon a week and you'd be fine, and if there is anyway you can get the surface skimmed with the filter you use would be great.

[jvaldez68as]

I would like to keep some softies, polyps, and mushrooms. Would I be able to support LPS corals? Also, would I even be able to keep at least one fish in a five gal or is that way to small to support?

[dwdenny]

Fish yes one only if you look at www.liveaquaria.com they nano fish there so you can look and see what you might want then look locally for it. I was saying if you didn't want to run a filter of any sort you can do a large water change verses and smaller one. But if you run a small skimmer or filter then a smaller water change will be good. I agree with Cliff(brewercm) about the lights. With LPS you have to be careful with their sweeper tentacles that they have. Just research what you want to keep and their needs and you will be fine. hth

[jvaldez68as]

Thanks for all your help guys.

[dwdenny]

No problems just research everything before you buy it. That is the best advice I ever received.

[jvaldez68as]

Sorry I have one last question. I'm going to use a powerfilter from 29 gallon FW to circulate the water,I think it pumps 150gal p/h (I'm going to take out the filter media and use LR rubble instead) and I want to know if the use of a powerhead would still be recommended?

[GaryP]

150 gph might be a bit much for a 5 gal. You might want to consider going down to one of the adjustable rate nano powerheads.

[jvaldez68as]

Cool thanks

[cpreefguy]

Tetra-tec makes a cool filter, I had on running on a 7g mini-bow for a while. I believe it is the PF-150, it provided good flow for the tank and the it has a built in heater and wave maker. I would recommend doing a 20% water change every week also. Let us know if you have any more questions concerning nano reefs. Theyre cool tanks to have, Ive had from a 2.5g to a 15g nano so I can help you out if you have any more questions.
Sean

[GaryP]

cpreefguy is the tiny tank guy. We're all waiting for him to grow up one of these days. :)

Of course I can't complain to much. The squamosa clam I got from him is almost as big as his tank when he downsized.

[cpreefguy]

Lol, yeah, Im getting the itch to go bigger again...