2 1/2 gal ideas ?

jd@ga · 09-12-2006, 09:41 AM

i have a 21/2 gal tank that is sitting empty any ideas on what to put in it? Please don`t say Batta or gold fish? Does anyone think it could possibly be a successful s/w reef tank with alittle l/r ,l/s,and inverts?

ahill3780 · 09-12-2006, 02:41 PM

Some people set up mini-reefs in small tanks, but a 2 1/2 gallon IMO is much too small to keep stable. Your temperature is going to swing wildly depending on the ambient room temperature, your Salinity will skyrocket causing harm to delicate corals when the water evaporates out of the tank, nutrient uptake will be high in such a small system quickly depleting the available levels in the tank (and its really hard to accurately dose for tanks smaller than 10-12 gallons), etc.

I use my 2 1/2 gallon as a brine shrimp hatchery for raising live food for my tanks. (The first batch just hatched last night)

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Hepcat021 · 09-12-2006, 10:34 PM

Maybe you could put two little tetras or something really small in there, but you'd have to make sure they had the proper temp. I don't have any experience with something like that, but you certainly should not put much of anything in it. Maybe some small plants, if you have descent lighting. I feel bad for having 5 smaller fish in a 10 gallon. Betta probably would be you best bet( I know you said not to mention it).

Sorry and Good Luck
Bill

Jay · 09-13-2006, 06:57 AM

You could raise cherry shrimp

Jay

jd@ga · 09-13-2006, 09:41 AM

thanks for the ideas! I think i`m gonna do the brine shrimp thing I know my s/w will love me for it! Just wondering though because they have so much equipment made for these little tanks like coralife mini Aqualight two 9watt bulbs atrue actinic and 10,000k daylight, mini heater 7.5watt and not to forget all the nano filters that are outnow. I alredy have a 2 1/2 f/w live plants with a rainbow fish and 2 baby f/w puffers in it . It`s been set up for about 3 months now and doing great. I bought these 2 tanks cause they are so small and you can put them anywhere. Thanks again for the ideas! Hey check out ratemyfishtank.com its a cool site!