Newbie Starting 5G Reef

vqreefer

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#1
Hello all! I just began cycling a 5G with live sand and dry rock in my Top Fin Retreat. It still has the stock pump but with Seachem Matrix and Purigen Blue. I have done a lot of research and I think I’m ready to take on this challenge. This will be my first saltwater tank.

What would you recommend for stocking? I’m looking at some of the smaller gobies like clown, sharknose, and GBG as well as sexy shrimp. I’m guessing I’ll only be able to keep one fish, but how many inverts would I be able to keep? Any recommendations on livestock and coral for a beginner are much appreciated. Thank you!
 

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EyeReef

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#2
Looking good man. Nanos are challenging but so rewarding. I’ve always been a big fan of macro algae and small pipefish. Remember to stay patient and keep us posted on the progress.


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vqreefer

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Looking good man. Nanos are challenging but so rewarding. I’ve always been a big fan of macro algae and small pipefish. Remember to stay patient and keep us posted on the progress.


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I saw some pipefish at Strictly Fish I’ll have to look into it. At some point I might look into fitting some macro into the little sump but there isn’t a ton of room. I’ll make sure to stay patient and do everything the right way and hopefully all works out.
 

reefes pieces

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You can keep a single shrimp as they probably will get territorial in a small 5g. But as long as there is enough food, you can add in a bunch of snails and hermits. Gobies and pistol shrimp pairs are really cool in tiny tanks
 

vqreefer

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You can keep a single shrimp as they probably will get territorial in a small 5g. But as long as there is enough food, you can add in a bunch of snails and hermits. Gobies and pistol shrimp pairs are really cool in tiny tanks
Would I be able to keep sexy shrimp along with something like a fire shrimp or would they have issues? I’ll have to see if I can find pistol shrimp around me and if I were to I don’t know if my sandbed is deep enough and it would need some larger substrate mixed in to support burrows.


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reefes pieces

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#6
Except for the sexy shrimp, I wouldn't try to keep any multiples of shrimp in a 5g tank.
Would I be able to keep sexy shrimp along with something like a fire shrimp or would they have issues? I’ll have to see if I can find pistol shrimp around me and if I were to I don’t know if my sandbed is deep enough and it would need some larger substrate mixed in to support burrows.


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herbklee

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#7
nice.
brings back good memories of my first reef. a 2.5 gal aga.
back when you can can cherry pick and purchase fresh kaelini live rock locally and nice size crocea clams were only $40 each.

good ol days:).
actually that was only in 2004.
Things change quickly in this hobby.
i guess that's true for anything these days.
 

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