Smallest Viable Reef Tank

[RedSandman]

Hi,

I'm new to the marine/reef hobby. I've kept a few tropical freshwater aquariums but thinking of trying my hand at a Reef setup.

I'm taking it slowly and doing plenty of research.

I know the larger the tank the better but what is the smallest viable Reef setup? By viable I mean that the corals flourish and grow, not just exist.

Thanks

[leveldrummer]

I think the smallest tank that a person should try for their first reef experience would be one of the 14-29 gallon all in one biocube setups. Smaller tanks tend to change water parameters much quicker then large tanks, so the more water you have, the more stable it will be.

corals can live and flourish and grow in very small systems, but they are very tricky to keep for someone without experience.

[madweazl]

A simple 20g long with some T5s makes for a nice little reef on a budget (I'm not a fan of cubes). As for smallest, a member here has an amazing reef in a VASE.

[Paul B]

Here is my one ounce Mini Nano. It has a lettuce algae problem even though I use a skimmer, Ozone, lighted sump and dose vodka. OK, so it is not exactly thriving, but there is a pod.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/IMG_2334.jpg (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/urchsearch/media/IMG_2334.jpg.html)

[Colorado1]

That's terrific!!:p

[Sethjamto]

It looks like your sea horse is getting a little big for that tank.

[brandon429]

Red if you aren't turned on by normal setups consider this option

Smallest possible reef

Uses less topoff water than any tank here, does not use machinery to top off, it restricts evaporation... an opposite method to common reef keeping
Keeping salinity stable is the first hurdle and that's accounted for.
This way doesn't use fish, it's for coral and inverts so if you want fish go contemporary

But this is the easiest tank you can run to get coral growth that's for sure... cheapest entry setup there

Most want fish. ..I didn't, just a simple coral setup and that's it. Google:

History of pico reef biology

Yes it's great for new keepers, hence the feed back from first time reefers in the comments... Just something wacky to consider. It's directly on par with your question.

[jorda9095]

you can have a reef in a 10g or something smaller but it will just be one or two rocks and you will want more room quickly. i would start with a 20L because they offer a nice footprint and its still relatively small.

[Mg4life0331]

Here is my one ounce Mini Nano. It has a lettuce algae problem even though I use a skimmer, Ozone, lighted sump and dose vodka. OK, so it is not exactly thriving, but there is a pod.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/IMG_2334.jpg (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/urchsearch/media/IMG_2334.jpg.html)

That was great. Thanks.:spin1:

[RedSandman]

History of pico reef biology

Wow. Such small setups. I was more interested in corals, invertebretes than fish. So worthy of further investigation.

[brandon429]

It works so well I still use the same stuff since 01 :) I just never got bored with the setup. Many start here, then move frags to larger tank when the urge for fish inevitably gets them lol. Some never upgrade, there is endless detail to be had in an evaporation restricted micro reef. They are so easy to run

[MJSavage]

I would say the smallest practical setup for someone new would be 8-12 gallon range. You will need to take an active interest in the tank and watch the levels closely until you get a feel for its needs but it would be big enough to be stable and keep a couple of small fish. You will also get the satisfaction of having it full of coral one day instead of it looking empty with two dozen corals.

Mike

[Plainswalker]

10 gals is a nice nano reef.

[Timfish]

Well, Paul B's setup has my idea beat all to hell but I'm thinking I could keep a couple zoanthiid polyps and an astrea starfish in a shot glass, would have to go with a ssb I think.