QUOTE (paulinnate @ Feb 18 2009, 10:25 AM)

First i want to thank you so much for your inspriation with the pico tank. I"m following your advice step by step and tomorrow i'm about to attempt to modify a AC70 filter. Before doing so, i have some questions i hope someone can help me with as this is my first saltwater tank.
Glad to have you in the pico club! Most people reserve pico setups for advanced hobbyists but I've helped people who are completely new to saltwater setup pico tanks with great success. Just follow along and I'll do my best to help out!
QUOTE (paulinnate @ Feb 18 2009, 10:25 AM)

I purchased the marineland shatterproof mini heater, 10W. This is what the store recomended for the pico but will this be a big enough filter since i'm using the AC70 mod? Can i still place this type of heater in that filter.
That heater should fit in the AC70. But more importantly you should assess the ambient temperature in your room. If there's too much of a swing in temperature then the 10W heater won't do. Otherwise it should be fine as long as the temperature is even throughout the day.
QUOTE (paulinnate @ Feb 18 2009, 10:25 AM)

When setting up the tank, should i just use the stock filter at first and then add the AC70? I noticed in your sample you are using a powerhead and the stock filter when you first set it up, do you plan to add the AC70 later. Since i would rather not purchase a powerhead, should i just get things going with the AC70? Is there additoinal info i need to know if i'm starting with the AC70?
Will you be suggesting what other filter media should be put into the AC70?
If you already have an AC70 filter then by all means use it! Otherwise the stock filter is enough to get things running. The only reason I recommend using the stock filter at first is to try and keep the process simple and less overwhelming and because some people prefer not to upgrade at all which is fine. You can setup the tank with only the stock filter and nothing else but you could have a tough time dealing with diatoms and nuissance algae from not having enough flow. So you'll definitely want to get an AC70 right away if you're completely against adding a powerhead.
As for filter media, there's only so many options you can put in the filter—Chemi-Pure, Chemi-Pure Elite, Purigen, various forms of carbon, etc. Purigen and Chemi-Pure Elite are good and personally prefer the latter especially now that they have them in half-unit sizes that will fit in the filter without going through the mess of opening the bag and divvying it up. Some kind of filter floss to trap detritus and the ubiquitous chaeto and you're good to go. The use of live rock rubble is a hotly debated subject and personally don't recommend it although I have a couple pieces of rubble in mine but I only have them for fragging corals and are not expected to serve any filtration purposes.
QUOTE (fallenlordz @ Feb 19 2009, 04:52 AM)

Wow

Great guide - This persuaded me to buy a Pico Tank
Hope to see the final part of your guide up soon. Where is the Cycling guide I cant wait

LOL
Great! I plan to take over the world with picos.

I know I've been lagging behind and a lot of people who were following this from the start are now caught up so I gotta get the cycling portion up. I'll try my best to get it wrapped up and posted by this weekend.