Topfin 5 gal

[Brett28]

Been itching to get back in reefing, had a 180 RR about 10 yrs ago. My wife said no to another big tank so I settled for a nano. Found petsmart had a 5 gal tank with LED, small pump (I think maybe 50gph) and a false back wall to hide a small amount of algae or filter media for a refugium. 40 bucks I finured I try it out. Going to try to upload some photos. It has been runnino since Jan 1 2016. I used sea-chems Stability to help cycle. I think it worked. Nitrate peaked at 3ppm on the 4th day and no detectable nitrite or ammonia. On day 7 I added 3 blue leg hermits 2 Scarlets, 2 asteria snailso an 2 ceriths. I noticed some algae beginning. The asteria snails murdered it. The LFS was kind enough to give me 5 zoos to try in it too!! (big thanks to Salty Bottoms in the DFW metroplex). We are at day 9 and everthing is looking good. I don't have a protien skimmer but I don't think a 1 gal water change every Saturday will be to tough to manage. I plan on upgrading the pump. I think I want to go with a 200 gph.

Anyone else seen these tanks, maybe tried them, what's y'alls thoughts?

[dreaddinit]

Sounds awesome. You going to keep corals in it? I'd love to do a five Gallon. I have to learn to control my 30 Gallon first though lol. You should post some pics!

[rekab]

Originally Posted by Brett28

Been itching to get back in reefing, had a 180 RR about 10 yrs ago. My wife said no to another big tank so I settled for a nano. Found petsmart had a 5 gal tank with LED, small pump (I think maybe 50gph) and a false back wall to hide a small amount of algae or filter media for a refugium. 40 bucks I finured I try it out. Going to try to upload some photos. It has been runnino since Jan 1 2016. I used sea-chems Stability to help cycle. I think it worked. Nitrate peaked at 3ppm on the 4th day and no detectable nitrite or ammonia. On day 7 I added 3 blue leg hermits 2 Scarlets, 2 asteria snailso an 2 ceriths. I noticed some algae beginning. The asteria snails murdered it. The LFS was kind enough to give me 5 zoos to try in it too!! (big thanks to Salty Bottoms in the DFW metroplex). We are at day 9 and everthing is looking good. I don't have a protien skimmer but I don't think a 1 gal water change every Saturday will be to tough to manage. I plan on upgrading the pump. I think I want to go with a 200 gph.

Anyone else seen these tanks, maybe tried them, what's y'alls thoughts?

Haven't tried that tank but I did keep a 5 gallon for about a year. It's all about consistency. Using an ato and frequent water changes kept mine looking great.
Salty bottoms is hard to find at first but it's run by a nice guy.

[Brett28]

Coral is a must for me!! I got 5 fish picked out but really into corals. I forgot to include I got about 6 lbs live sand, 5 lbs live rock and 1 head of kryptonite candy cane. Everytime I try to upload a photo it fails.

Any ideas?

[BeachVacationer]

Pics are probably too big.

[Brett28]

Ok tried making it smaller.

[BeachVacationer]

How many watts is the led, or what DC voltage and milliamps does the plug say for output? Probably not enough for soft corals.

[Brett28]

12v DC .3A 3.5w. I thought I would give it a try. It probly is way under rated for any hard coral. Surprisingly it seems to be keeping the candy cane happy and zoas open. The second I find a higher power one I like, this one is going bye bye.

[Brett28]

The tank came with one transformer that splits and powers both the return pump and LED.

[BeachVacationer]

Yeah, should get at least 10 watts.

[Brett28]

What do ya think about running the T5HO? I found a 12"fixture by corallife. Think it could power some sps?

[BeachVacationer]

Sorry, I've no clue about fluorescent bulbs.

[Brett28]

Me and the daughter went and got our first fish. She picked out a misbar clown..... very scidish but a cool little guy.

[Cliving1]

Wait your tank has been up for 10 days and you have added a fish and CUC? Please let me know if I am reading this wrong I think you jumped the gun a little early. Even though it is a small tank, you still have to cycle. You say you think it worked? Easy way to test (before you added livestock) was jack your ammonia to 2ppm, within a day or so it should be at 0. What test kits are you using? They could have read a false result. I love the tank and idea, I just hope you didnt run into it too quick .

[Brett28]

This can be a test for us all. I tried Stability a cycling agent by seachem. It says your good to go on day 7. I watched the LFS success in a 200 gal. Cube. He set it up ran it for 48 hrs and put in a couple corals, on day 7 a few damsels a couple clowns and a few days later a 10inch blonde naso.
He is yet to loose anything to my knowledge.

[Brett28]

The test kit is made by API. I'll watch it closely for the next week. The last I want to do is tell the kiddos I killed there fish...

[Cliving1]

Wow he must have great luck! Not trying to be a downer but unless the tank has live rock and transferred water from a setup tank I cant see it being 'cycled' in 7 days. Typically 4 weeks is expected.

Anywho I love the tank and rock choices as well as the clown. Keep us posted on how it turns out! A small LED light may work if you are trying to keep any coral

[Brett28]

Thanks, im in the market. The one on the tank just don't have any blue.

[Brett28]

Kinaa a cool pic.

[soulpatch]

Tanks can be almost instantly cycled with bacteria in a can for the ammonia eating bacteria anyway. Water from an established tank does nothing as it contains basically no bacteria. I doubt the cycle was complete myself but can be handled easily by frequent water changes. Same as many of us who run a 10 gal QT tank non cycled and simply change water every few days.

I would get a seachem ammonia badge to use for a bit though so you can ensure you are not spiking toxic ammonia. API test kits are garbage IMHO. I would suggest others.

My biggest concern however is putting a clown in a 5 gallon. The min recommendation for them is around 20 gallons. Despite popular belief they do actually swim around and are not stationary.


I see corals in your last pic which is too soon even if you did your initial cycle. Your LFS is loving you right now. I assume he sees dollar signs written on your forehead when you walk in.

[Brett28]

Good deal, I used to only use salifert test when I had my 180. But that was years ago. Thanks for the input. One of the pieces of rock was out of a well established tank. I'm sure I helped a bit. This morning I woke up and turned on the lights and it was like a copepod grenade went of. They must have hatched over night. They are swimming everywhere.

[Brett28]

Wellll, so far so good, just a quick update. Everthing is going good. No noticeable nitrite nitrate. This weekend I'm going to buy a small bit of macro algae. And a small filter sock to toss in some carbon. I have been doing (2) 1 gal. Water changes a week . One on Wednesday and one on Saturday. I'll keep yall posted.

[fishstick3]

Looks really nice! Glad to hear the sea-Chem works! The light looks surprisingly nice considering the cost.

[Brett28]

It just don't make the zoas pop though.

[fscmocsaj]

Glad to see everything worked out for you. What coral are you planning on keeping in there because you're definitely going to have to upgrade your lights. Maybe even look into Fluval spec v tank they are great all in one tanks. I kept one for a year with a goby pistol shrimp pair and a clown.