5.5g pico reef

[canadianbudz604]

So with being in and out of town for the last 2 years ive shut down all of my tanks. I'm back home (for the time being) and have started up a 5.5g mini reef for something to do. Here's what I've got so far.

Equipment list:

5.5g standard tank
Koralia nano 245gph powerhead
Aquaclear 30
Still finding the right kind of light, I have a clamp on 150w halide but it's way overkill and gets pretty hot. I might DIY some cheap eBay leds or bite the bullet and buy a lightbox par38. I'm trying not to spend a ton of money on this thing.
Skimmer less

Stocking plans:

Bare bottom
8lbs live rock (more filtration)
Nothing but floss in the filter, might put some Purigen


I first was going to go with a mixed little reef, but I think now it will be all zoas/palys for corals, and I might put one fish, but I'm not too sure about that yet.

Maintenance:

2.5g water changes every week

Here is the tank 5 weeks ago all cleaned up





And here it is today lit by a marineland 5w led strip

[Dearth]

I've always liked the simplicity of pico tanks be interesting to see how this turns out

[canadianbudz604]

Do you guys think i should put the 150w halide on the 5.5g? I have a cpu fan that could blow across the water, i guess i would have to add an ato. What does everyone think?

[FishyFishy!]

I actually highly recommend it! I had a 150w halide over my fluval edge nano. Looked great and I got fantastic growth. Never had issues with heat.

[canadianbudz604]

So the tank was put on hold while I was gone for work but it's up and running again. Still looking for a decent light on the cheap.

[tang daddy]

Now you got one hahahahahha!

[canadianbudz604]

Hell ya and it looks really good. I'll post a pic up tommorow. Time to start filling it up.

[canadianbudz604]

So I've added a couple more pounds of really nice live rock and a wicked par38 (thanks chris). Tank is starting to look good. Also added a few corals (war coral, fire and ice zoas, blue mushrooms, safecracker? Palys thanks regent)