thejoie Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I really should have seen this coming. As a little girl, I was fascinated with the reef and everything that had to do with it. Now, I'm 20 years old and have a wide assortment of pets. I actually work in a pet store. And last week, my boss informed me that I won a 2.5 gallon little "salt water ready" tank. I've been on this site.. for hours. Reading and looking at all of your amazing tanks. I can't wait to get started. I pick up my tank today. How do you suggest I start. I guess that's the hardest part? I've heard some people starting with live sand. Others starting with live rock. Which is the best route to go? I'm secretly hoping this little tank leads into bigger and better things. I have 3 bigger tanks left from when I used to have freshwater tanks ranging from a 15 gallon to a 50 gallon! However, I just want to take this one step at a time Link to comment
proraptor2 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Get your tank, put at least 2.5 lbs of live rock in it with some sand (doesnt have to be live) and some salt water. Then wait for the cycle to occur... Also make sure you have sufficient lighting for it Link to comment
circusordie16 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 my 2.5 gallon has been going strong for about 3 months. when i started out i got all the hardware i needed (18W light, 25W heater, tank, aquaclear 20 filter, thermometer, refractometer) and then got the salt and ro water, made myself some salt water, put in sand, water and live rock and waited for the cycle! i did however spend about 2 months on this site everyday reading as much as i could until i felt like i was ready to go. Link to comment
Argent Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome to N-R.com! You couldn't find a better repository of knowledge for the care and creation of small reef tanks. The first question I suppose would be - What do you want to try and keep in your 2.5 gallon. Also you said it was 'salt water ready' 2.5 gallon tank. Is it a branded package? Since you work at a pet store - I'm sure you can get LR and could even get a cup of LS (assuming you have reef tanks at work) to seed your sandbed with. Link to comment
yankeereefer Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome to NR! Noone's mentioned it yet so I will - 2.5g is a small tank for starting out - You can do it though I'm sure - It'll take diligence and religious maintenance - Once you've mastered it, the other 3 tanks will be a snap! I say 3 tanks cuz this hobby's addicting - I give it 6 mos (or less) and you have all 4 running Keep asking the questions, reading the boards, doing research and you'll be fine! Yankee Link to comment
thejoie Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome to N-R.com! You couldn't find a better repository of knowledge for the care and creation of small reef tanks. The first question I suppose would be - What do you want to try and keep in your 2.5 gallon. Also you said it was 'salt water ready' 2.5 gallon tank. Is it a branded package? Yea that's the funny part, we dont carry ANYTHING saltwater related. However, there is an AMAZING salt water only store a few miles from my house which is where I'll be getting all my things from I had no idea salt water tanks could be that small!! Which is why I called bull###### on the little 2.5 gallon.. and then I found this site and serious was blown away! I know the tank is probably too small for any fish. But I like the idea of shrimp, hermit crabs, and snails. Actually, the simple idea of mushrooms and coral is exciting. I have a feeling this is going to be a dangerous hobby for me. Link to comment
Argent Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 yes it can be - I started with a 3 gallon - then built a custom 1 quart pico, and then added a 5.5G, then a 6G and then I took the 3 and the quart down and put a 1.5G up. In addition to my 25H cichlid tank. I'd get in on the next pico tank contest but it actually sounds like they are going with something larger than any of my tanks. Link to comment
yankeereefer Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 argent is to blame for a lot of us here that are now running itty bitty tanks Soon we'll have you wanting a mantis! YR Link to comment
Argent Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 HAHAHAHAHA it's not my fault I make it look easy - I've been fish keeping for 20+ years Link to comment
circusordie16 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 this site made me start my pico and last night i decided that i kinda want another tank with a mantis. this isnt a good sign. Link to comment
Argent Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 And yet another soul is claimed by the Pico and Mantis cult..... Link to comment
fewskillz Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome to N-R! It's a very dangerous, addicting hobby. I am considering forming a support group. Link to comment
Argent Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome to N-R! It's a very dangerous, addicting hobby. I am considering forming a support group. Yeah but NRA is already taken! Link to comment
tmendeol Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I just started my 2.5 Pico about a month ago and it's my first tank. I put 7lbs of Nature's Ocean live sand into my tank along with 3 lbs of live rock from a local reefer's established tank. The guy also gave me the majority of the 2.5 gallons of water I needed to start my tank from his established tank. One of my two rocks was completely covered in coraline algae (the purple stuff). I did NOT have a cycle. The tank was good-to-go from the start!!! I tested everyday for a week before I felt confident enough that there was no cycle and I could start adding coral. So, I suggest getting ultra cured live rock from an established tank...and you've got the right idea reading as much as you can on this site. You should probably get a book too! It seems that you can never know enough with this hobby. -Tim Link to comment
FryedFish Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Heres a good book to read (its 20$ but its HUGE, and covers basic-advance and has all scientific names!) The complete book of the Marine Aquarium by: vincent B. Hargreaves He hates nanos, but eh' Link to comment
RayWhisperer Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Settle down Adin. Link to comment
tinyreef Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Settle down Adin.i thought adin was a girl. Link to comment
thejoie Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 A GURL? a gurl Link to comment
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