Setting up a Nano

Hi, TRT. I am wanting to set up a 2.5 gallon nano reef tank. :banana: So, I have this tank *, and I am thinking of using this sand **, and I have this filter ***. So, I'm currently thinking of stocking it with 3-5 hermits, 2-3 small snails, and a single peppermint shrimp. I am also going to put in, maybe, a Kenya tree coral, xenias, and mushrooms. I am certain about the Kenya tree, but not the other two. I do, however, have a rough idea of what I want, so I think stocking is okay. I completely understand no fish. Um, well... I am going to do bi-weekly half-gallon water changes, Wednesdays and Sundays. Um, yeah, I think that's pretty much it.



* http://ift.tt/1o62Fo5

** http://ift.tt/1AjrRx8

*** http://ift.tt/1AjrRxa



So, what do you guys think? I plan on getting it set up within three months, but I'm not sure when it will get up. I will cycle with live rock and live sand for a month or two (until I reach good levels), before adding the hermits for a week or two, then the snails another week, then the shrimp two weeks, then any corals. And, I'm going to use that sand because it's a smaller bag than the ones (15 lbs.) they sell at the LFS.



Of course, I also have a few questions.

- How often would you do water changes?

- Do you think my cycling method is okay?

- What do you think of this as my first nano tank?

- When I start it up, do you want to see pics?