Finally after a month of searching and one special order later, here's my 2.5 gallon pico. Live rock has been curing and will go in the tank tonight for my check-in shot.

After tons of work to get this thing set-up with rocks, I think I made it. Not sure if the aquascaping will stay this way. I still have two more mods to finish and recieve my lights, then the tank will be complete...I think.

Equipment so far.

-2.5 perfecto tank w/ glass top
-Fluval 204 cannister filter modded with heater
-Current USA 18w PC

What!? BH20 in da hizouse!!!!!

Good luck man!

one of '04's finest. good luck, man.

Thanks guys...I'll need it

Did some work on the tank today...Finished the stand except for the door. All I'm waiting on is lights.

A couple things to note about the pico, my rock has been cooked for around 2 months before going into this tank. Unfortunatly its not pretty and purple like Travis's.

In terms of stocking, you'll have to wait and see, but its going to be completly aquacultured.

The Fluval 204 is loaded with carbon and rock rubble, there is also a 50w heater modded into the sponge compartment, I'll get pics soon.
This is the same filter that ran my very successful 10g.

The salt I'm using nowadays is HW marine mix professional. The reviews for this salt say the alk levels are above normal, but I haven't had any real problems. Sps seem to color up more with this salt than instant ocean in my experience.

Other than that I'm going to add a couple drops of bionic every now and then to boost coralline growth.

Hey man, I love that stand.

For FAST coraline groth, I found that adding SeaChem Reef Calcium works the fastest

Travis your up late...or early however you see it. Thanks for the tip on the Calcium supp. I'm not completely finished with the stand yet, still working on customizing the door, and finding the right hinges.

Nice tank setup.

I just woke up at 7AM CST

For some reason I can not EVER sleep late

Thanks nanomaniac. I entered the contest a little later than I wanted, but things are starting to shape up.

cant wait to see how this turns out, are we going MH on this or is the PC for the long haul?

Thanks Greg, I'm gonna be sticking with the 18w PC, although I may do a couple mods to it.

Any updates BH2O?

hopefully soon.

Anything new here? Hows the tank doing?

OFFICIAL PICO CONTEST NEWS

New Task... Read about it here...
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75621

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE TASK!

Tanks doing great. My camera has been acting up though, I'll have pics soon.

FINALLY...an update.

NICE! love all the Rics. nice tank.... what is the last pic?? Sinularia??? (i have never seena good pic of one it is a guess)

Nice! Awsome rics and the nepthia looks nice and healthy too!

The rics are my favorite!!!

Thanks everyone.

FF218: I think PILI got it right...nepthea. For some reason I thought it was capnella, but then again I haven't been keeping up with my reefer dictionary lately.

Also, I just wanted to note that everything except for a red legged hermit has been aquacultured by me. The candy cane, mushrooms, and blue ricordia were some of the very first corals I obtained.

Pili is always right DUH!!! lol he like made up aquariums..philophies and uhh the ocean!!!

Hey watch where you throw that "DUH"...and I think you meant philosophies.

Hey, I can't believe that I haven't commented in this tank before now. It's looking fantastic!! Don't keep it in hiding now, keep the updates and pictures coming.

Best regards

Ann

Thanks Ann.

Excellent tank.....
Are you still using the 18w light?

How did you run the electrical cord for the heater into the fluval?

Thanks DAP.

Running the heater into the fluval filter is pretty simple. First I cut the powercord for the heater near a couple inches from the plug. Then I drilled a hole slightly smaller than the heater cord into the sponge compartment. After this thread the heater cord through the hole (should fit tight) and apply silicone on the inner and outer breech. Then I add a rubber guard over the cord and re-splice the wires. After the wire is connected I move the rubber guard over the raw wires, and wrap in electric tape.

The light is still the same, 18w PC.