27 gallon reef tank

I am brand new to this so i know very little. I have a 27 gallon tank can i use the filtration system it came with or do saltwater tanks need a special one. And is 27 gallon too small for reef tank? thanks and any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome to 3reef Bruso.

Sure you can do a reef in that size tank. You are definitely limited to the types and numbers of fish you can keep, but you have a lot of corals choices.

Just the basics for a reef are adequate live rock , roughly 1-1.5 lbs per gallon of rock. This will become the biggest part of your biological filter. A decent skimmer for mechanical filtration. Optional addition of quality carbon for chemical filtration and either sponge or floss to catch/filter large particulate matter.

Good flow and lighting will be of great importance as well.

 

Thankyou so much!

 

Hey Bruso,

Welcome to 3Reef!

I just wanted to say that I actually have a 24g aquapod reef tank right now. The only thing you really need to be aware of is your water parameters. They change much more quickly than in a larger tank, but it is certainly possible.

Have you thought about which type of corals you want to get? Not sure of your experience, but I would recommend soft corals (mushrooms, zoas, etc.) for starters and then go from there.

Also, what lighting/ wavemakers are you planning to use?

 

Hi Bruso,

I also have a 27 gallon tank, a cube. So hopefully i can help you along the way. Is yours a cube?

Anyway, I agree with what everyone has said so far.

 

Some people have reef tanks much smaller than that. Yours will be classified as a nano tank. Pico reefs can be 3 gallons or less. The smaller they are, the more water changes they need but a a 27 gallon shouldn't bee too bad to maintain.

 

I have no experience at all in saltwater aquariums. I have been looking for supplies but there is soooooo much out there and prices are everywhere so i need help just trying to get the bascics like what type of light i need and other filters and wave makers i may need.

I went to petco and it was horrible, nobody there could help me at all!

 

my tank is 20"L 10"W 12"H

Actually just saw the ultimate newbie guide on here and it has a lot of answers right there! sorry guys

 

Cool, that is a great guide. Never be sorry for asking questions in this hobby, we all do no matter the level.

 

I don't think your tank is 27 gallons, sounds more like 10.