Hey Guys... I'm going to pickup a JBJ Picotope tomorrow and just wanted to run some ideas by you all.
I want a background but I don't want to paint it, in case I hate it. Could I paint a piece of acrylic and just silicon it to the back of the tank?
I've got an AC50 that I'm going to mod.
What kind of heaters do you all use?
I'm going to use the stock lighting until I save enough for LED's. I'll prolly jump on the next group buy.
Stocking.
- About 1" of sand
- Hopefully one nice piece of LR 5-6LBs
- 3 Sexy shrimp
- 1 Nass
- 2-3 Hermits
- 3-4 Nerite Snails
- Maybe a Clown Goby, or the Yellowtail that is in my 29 now
- Softies, mushrooms and zoas mostly
Any suggestions?
Full Version: Pico Ideas
Welcome to the pico club! 
I personally wouldn't recommend painting the back of the tank although most people do it. There was a study done by James Fatheree about light reflection showing how tanks with painted backgrounds show a reduction in PAR levels. It's also the main article in this month's TFH and is an interesting read. Link.
Most people use a 25W Hydor Theo. They're just the right size for picos. If it's in your budget, I would definitely recommend upgrading to LEDs. They're bright, they run cool, and are much cheaper in the long run.
Sounds like you've got a good plan. I would advise you to use several pieces of live rock as oppose to one big rock. This makes stocking and rearranging the tank much easier down the line. Check out my Pico Guide if you haven't already to get some helpful tips and info.
I personally wouldn't recommend painting the back of the tank although most people do it. There was a study done by James Fatheree about light reflection showing how tanks with painted backgrounds show a reduction in PAR levels. It's also the main article in this month's TFH and is an interesting read. Link.
Most people use a 25W Hydor Theo. They're just the right size for picos. If it's in your budget, I would definitely recommend upgrading to LEDs. They're bright, they run cool, and are much cheaper in the long run.
Sounds like you've got a good plan. I would advise you to use several pieces of live rock as oppose to one big rock. This makes stocking and rearranging the tank much easier down the line. Check out my Pico Guide if you haven't already to get some helpful tips and info.
Thanks Fab.
I've got some base rock in a bin around here somewhere. I'll see if I can make anything out of it. Or I might get some new LR ( see if I can get some sweet hitchhikers)
I will definitely get LED's, but I'm going to make my own fixture and everything so that is a few months away..
Thinking about some in tank macro, I've always liked Halimeda, but I've never had it.
Fab: I have read your awesome guide, but I'm waiting on you to finish it!
I've got some base rock in a bin around here somewhere. I'll see if I can make anything out of it. Or I might get some new LR ( see if I can get some sweet hitchhikers)
I will definitely get LED's, but I'm going to make my own fixture and everything so that is a few months away..
Thinking about some in tank macro, I've always liked Halimeda, but I've never had it.
Fab: I have read your awesome guide, but I'm waiting on you to finish it!
QUOTE (doolspin @ Apr 27 2009, 05:40 PM) 
Fab: I have read your awesome guide, but I'm waiting on you to finish it!
Yup, you got me!
It seems like every time I work on finishing it I'm always interrupted by someone or something. In the meantime I've been happy working with people one on one with cycling their tanks which has actually given me more insight into the cycling process than I initially knew.
As for the Halimeda, they're an interesting addition and don't grow as fast and are not as invasive as Caulerpa.
I'll start my build thread tomorrow with any luck
How well do pom pom crabs do in a pico?
QUOTE (el fabuloso @ Apr 27 2009, 08:29 PM)
Most people use a 25W Hydor Theo. They're just the right size for picos.
Don't know if I was just unlucky, but my 25W didn't turn off. It just stayed on, heating my water up to 88F. The 50W works fabulously, though. Very happy with it - keeps my tank at exactly the temperature set.
Sword:
Funny, I had a 50W that stuck on in a 2.5AGA I was raising pods in. That SOB almost topped 100 degrees. Most of the pods did survived. Heh
Funny, I had a 50W that stuck on in a 2.5AGA I was raising pods in. That SOB almost topped 100 degrees.
Most of the pods did survived. Heh
QUOTE (el fabuloso @ Apr 27 2009, 06:29 PM)
Welcome to the pico club!
I personally wouldn't recommend painting the back of the tank although most people do it. There was a study done by James Fatheree about light reflection showing how tanks with painted backgrounds show a reduction in PAR levels. It's also the main article in this month's TFH and is an interesting read. Link.
Most people use a 25W Hydor Theo. They're just the right size for picos. If it's in your budget, I would definitely recommend upgrading to LEDs. They're bright, they run cool, and are much cheaper in the long run.
Sounds like you've got a good plan. I would advise you to use several pieces of live rock as oppose to one big rock. This makes stocking and rearranging the tank much easier down the line. Check out my Pico Guide if you haven't already to get some helpful tips and info.
I personally wouldn't recommend painting the back of the tank although most people do it. There was a study done by James Fatheree about light reflection showing how tanks with painted backgrounds show a reduction in PAR levels. It's also the main article in this month's TFH and is an interesting read. Link.
Most people use a 25W Hydor Theo. They're just the right size for picos. If it's in your budget, I would definitely recommend upgrading to LEDs. They're bright, they run cool, and are much cheaper in the long run.
Sounds like you've got a good plan. I would advise you to use several pieces of live rock as oppose to one big rock. This makes stocking and rearranging the tank much easier down the line. Check out my Pico Guide if you haven't already to get some helpful tips and info.
The Hydor 25w vs. the Stealth 25w is the Hydor physically smaller then the stealth??? If so I think im going to go with the Hydor.
Im also patiently waiting for Fab to finish the Cycling portiong of his wonderful guide
QUOTE (ColoradoNano @ Apr 27 2009, 07:56 PM)
The Hydor 25w vs. the Stealth 25w is the Hydor physically smaller then the stealth??? If so I think im going to go with the Hydor.
The 25W and 50W Hydor heaters are exactly the same size and both are smaller than the 25W Stealth which makes them much more suited for pico tanks or for placement in the fuge. I've heard from people about their Hydor heaters malfunctioning but have personally not had any bad experiences with them.
QUOTE (ColoradoNano @ Apr 27 2009, 07:56 PM)
Im also patiently waiting for Fab to finish the Cycling portiong of his wonderful guide
It will be worth the wait, I promise.
Anybody have anything to say about pompoms? or emerald?
Be wary of the hydor theo. I have a 25w and it is totally inaccurate. I would recommend reading the product reviews from the hobbyists on the Marine Depot website before buying anything. You will see that the hydor heaters have been panned by most of the reviewers, and for good reason. Mine is on the order of 10 degrees fahrenheit inaccurate.
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