2.5 Gallon Shopping List. Very extensive!

[Sink Colin Sink]

OK, I'm really buckling down now and planning my 2.5 gallon. Here is everything I have so far, I've included questions about the items I'm purchasing, as well as some questions about the tank in general.

The Display Tank

1.2.5 Gallon Catalina Aquarium (http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=1376) Comes with a total of 23 watts of Compact Flourescent lighting, as well as a cheap filter I plan to toss into the trash.

2. Aquaclear 20 Power Filter. I plan to use this as a makeshift refugium, and also to add flow to the tank.(Would everything be okay if I kepy my heater, some chaeto, as well as my dual thermometer/hydrometer in the filter?)

3. RIO 50 Powerhead. I'm going to be using this for more flow in the tank. (Do I really need this powerhead if I only plan to keep LPS and Softies?)

4. Hydor Theo Heater-25 watts. I'm planning on keeping it in the filter to save room in the tank.

5. Living Sea Hydrometer Plus-Thermometer-(8") Anyone have any experience with these? (I'm thinking I need 3 of them; one for the tank, one for my saltwater mixing bucket, and one for my top off bucket.)


Saltwater Mixing Bucket

1. RIO 50 Powerhead. I'm thinking this will be plent of flow for aeration, considering I'm only going to be changing 1 gallon every week.

2. Instant Ocean salt.(Is there a better salt that I can use?)

3. Visi-therm Stealth Heater-25 watts.

4. Living Sea Hydrometer Plus-Thermometer-(8") (Mentioned above)



Top off bucket

1. Visi-Therm Stealth Heater-25 Watts

2. Living Sea Hydrometer Plus-Thermometer-(8") (Mentioned above)

(Will I need a powerhead for this bucket?)




I also have some other questions concerning future livestock, but I'll save those for later.

Any and all help is very appreciated!

[AVALover5498]

Great list, I would ditch the hydrometers and go with a refractometer, Way more acurate.

-Chris-

[Sink Colin Sink]

I am seriously considering doing just that. The only thing pushing me away is having to buy the 50 dollar refractometer, and then spending another 10-15 bucks on thermometers.

[Illuminati]

There is a lot of debate about how good hydrometers are but I'm not going to open that can of worms.

I got a refractometer on the cheap from someone leaving the hobby, keep an eye on the drygoods classifieds or Ebay.


P.S. There is already to many Colin's on here, you'll have to change your name :)

[Sink Colin Sink]

Alright, I'll keep an eye on Ebay.

Haha, there are only 2 Colin's in my high school of 1000+

[Sink Colin Sink]

Are there any better choices in terms of powerheads? Maybe a small Maxi-Jet?

[Im SpSing]

Im confused why you would need a hydrometer for freshwater topoff. Please explain.

[Rosseau]

I haven't had any experience with the Rio's.. however, i've used maxijet's for a while now.... a little 400 would probably work great for you. They are reliable (many people have had them forever) and they come with a few add on's if needed... usually they're inexpensive at least.


that should be plenty of flow IMO.

[jenlovesty]

2. Instant Ocean salt.(Is there a better salt that I can use?)

I use Reef Crystals. It is made by the same company as Instant Ocean but is formulated for reef aquariums.

[Ursus]

If you're just getting the hydrometers for the thermometer function, just get one or two of the coralife digital thermometers. They're only like $7 at petco. Even cheaper online. Even if you only had one, you could move the probe around to test the temp in each container.

Also, why a heater for the top-off?

[DJChesnutRabbit]

Sounds like a cool setup. I use RIO pumps w/o a problem. I think you will find you wont want or need a powerhead in such a small tank.
For salt, if your going to keep corals, I would recommend reef crystals. It has higher calcium, magnesium, and ph. On such a small tank you wont notice the slightly higher cost diffrence.
-Rabbit

[Ryanqk]

Reef crystals is supposed to be the best according to an experiment from the last MACNA convention. Cant wait to see some pics! what are the dimensions on the tank?
Ryan

[lessthanlights]

I put an Aquaclear 500 in my 2.5 and tamed down the flow- It had room for my heater and misc other equipment. Then you can skip the powerheads.