Thinking about a 1 gallon pico tank

[MMK1]

Hey guys and girls, someone gave me a tiny one gallon fish tank and I was wondering if its even worth it to try and turn it into a tiny pico reef. I have a nano cube already and I was thinking about putting the 1 gallon on my desk. I have an idea that it could handle a tiny bit of rock, sand, and house a single frogspawn or a single coral, with a snail or shrimp and that would be it.

 

 

 

Is this a good idea or should I stay away?

[Rememberme]

Yea that could work. Probably leave the snail out of it though, might be difficult for it to gain enough nutrients without fish pooping and helping to create algae. Maybe 1-2 shrimps?

[Mike Savage]

I agree, leave out the snail. Other than that I like it!

[MMK1]

So far this would be my build list

 

1.5 lbs of live rock

1 lbs of sand

Need to figure out the light, probably go with LED since its so small

Heater

 

Any suggestions for mechanical filtration? I might start off with the filter that came with the tank and see how that works.

 

I know pico tanks need weekly or even daily water changes, would this one not need such an intense water change schedule since the bioload would be so small?

[Reefkid88]

What're the measurements of the tank ?

 

For a filter I'd probably go with Red Sea Palm filter or a AC20 with ChemiPure Elite or just some GAC (granular activated carbon) in a media bag.

 

As for the light,I'd get a RapidLED Nano Dimmable driver,get 2 Luxeon Royal Blues,2 Luxeon Cool Blue,2 Luxeon Warm Whites 1-2 430nm Hyper Violets depending on the length of the tank.

[edd29]

Here is a great example on how to approach a 1 gallon or smaller. I follow the same procedures he does with great results.

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/330403-dafils-first-reef-08-g-pico/

 

The key in my opinion is 100% water changes every week.

[Searey]

I currently have a Fluval 2 gallon pico reef tank. What you are trying to do is a ticking time bomb unless you know what your doing. Water temp, lighting and tank levels are a huge factor since the tank is so small. Any little thing can make it crash.

[ihglifelol]

well maybe wait for algae to grow and maybe a dwarf cerith. id go for a pom pom crab as they stay on the small side and they prefer smaller tanks as they will get lost on big ones.