These are small tanks, usually 10 to 20 gallons. They are sometimes suggested because they are significantly less expensive to set up and maintain, so they are more affordable to more people. If you really want a 10-gallon reef tank, a mini reef may be for you. The first paragraph in Chapter 3, “Before You Begin,” describes some pitfalls of starting out small. There are other disadvantages as well:
Drawbacks of Mini Reefs
A smaller tank is less stable than a larger one. It is substantially more affected by temperature, biological load of livestock, accumulated waste, water changes, and adding trace elements (i.e., Kalkwasser, iodine, strontium).
- A 10-gallon reef tank is biologically fragile.
- A 10-gallon reef will cost between $400 and $600, which is $40-60 per gallon.
- In mini reefs, water changes and make-up are usually done with distilled water purchased from a store in gallon containers. Over a period of time this can be expensive, costing $1-2 per gallon for pure water.
