KyleRay31 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thinking of doing a pico tank for my computer desk to house my new found love in zoas. Looking for something I can basically plug in and go, please help steer me in the right direction. Looking forward to the advice! Quote Link to comment
evanski Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 For a desktop, I recommend the Fluval Spec II. A true pico at 2 gallons, it is a nice unit, upgradable, and good quality. Have a look at the link in my sig, and see some of the other Spec (II and V) in the Pico forum. Good luck! Start a build thread when you make a decision and get started. 2 Quote Link to comment
Dark_ice Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Mike makes great picos, check out the link in my sig but if you want lights and everything RR then try a evolve4, nice budget tank 3 Quote Link to comment
HatrickSwayzee Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I bought the CAD Lights Mini 4G and really think it's great, especially for the price. For just a zoa garden, I think you could run it stock and everything would turn out great. Quote Link to comment
Reefkid88 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I have a CadLights Zen tank and it's awesome quality and low iron which is a plus ( just their customer service is iffy ). Everyone raves about Mike and he's reasonably priced !! Or check out PicO Aquariums,their naked series is nice. Some pretty good dimensions and low iron with black silicone. Quote Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Basically for a pico, any of the AIO tanks are great. They all pretty much give the same thing. If you want acrylic, go MicroReefs. PicO Aquariums has a 5.5 AIO coming out, but not likely until April or May. Fluval Spec II and V are very common - great little tanks and as Evanski said, very upgradable. I may make a 2g fluval spec into a ric/zoa garden myself. Evolves are nice, too. Quote Link to comment
KyleRay31 Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Like I said I want something that is ready to go basically out the box. I don't want something I have to upgrade and tweak. I'm looking for a system that has the lets say reputation of being the shit. If I was looking to spend hundreds of dollars I'd have my local build me a custom acrylic set up. In all reality it's just gonna be my zoa frag tank. Quote Link to comment
jolee0722 Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 How long are you willing to wait? Like mentioned above, picoaquariums is coming out with a 5 gallon aio pico, but you can also ask for a custom order from them as well. It will take some time though. Quote Link to comment
thesmallerthebetter Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 almost any AIO is gonna need tweaked... but the new PicO thats coming soon will be your best bet for least amount of upgrades. Quote Link to comment
Kane Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 I've been trying to figure this out too lately. Especially in regards to startup cost. I feel the Fluval Spec 2 on sale at Petco for $45 bucks is a really value and the new Marineland LED Contour glass tanks are also a good value (elsewhere not at Petco).http://www.petco.com/product/123643/Marineland-Contour-Glass-LED-Aquarium-Kit.aspx Quote Link to comment
evanski Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Tank is the cheap part, guys...start looking about lights, pump upgrades, media baskets, ATOs, etc. And then there is the whole coralz thing... 1 Quote Link to comment
noobofreefs Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Does anyone know what the specs of the newest PicO will be? It's the perfect size and 5.5G for me, but I can't find anything about what its specs will be. Quote Link to comment
KyleRay31 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Tank is the cheap part, guys...start looking about lights, pump upgrades, media baskets, ATOs, etc. And then there is the whole coralz thing... So you are saying I'm gonna need a $200 dollar light and some crazy amount of flow to grow zoas? I feel like my original post has been lost. I sure wouldn't need ATO for my household pico. Sure I have an mp10 and a radion gen 3 pro over a 20 in cube but I'm not looking for a $400 1-4 gallon zoa tank. I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. Quote Link to comment
noobofreefs Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 From what I can tell doing my research you'd do well with the 4G Cadlights Mini. Lights can apparently handle a decent number of corals so I think zoas would be fine. Quote Link to comment
evanski Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 So you are saying I'm gonna need a $200 dollar light and some crazy amount of flow to grow zoas? I feel like my original post has been lost. I sure wouldn't need ATO for my household pico. Sure I have an mp10 and a radion gen 3 pro over a 20 in cube but I'm not looking for a $400 1-4 gallon zoa tank. I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. No...my build is a decent example of what you can, pick and choosing what upgrades you want to do. Mu light was about $100, the pump upgrade all of $20 or so. The media basket and ATO were probably extravagances, but they are good for me because I am on the road quite a bit. You might check out the Nanobox tanks with lights Dave is getting ready for market, as well as PicoAquariums Chris runs. Both good guys with great products...which is reflected in prices. Cadlights is a good product as well, but expectations for the light have to be softies and maybe some LPS. Quote Link to comment
noobofreefs Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 No...my build is a decent example of what you can, pick and choosing what upgrades you want to do. Mu light was about $100, the pump upgrade all of $20 or so. The media basket and ATO were probably extravagances, but they are good for me because I am on the road quite a bit. You might check out the Nanobox tanks with lights Dave is getting ready for market, as well as PicoAquariums Chris runs. Both good guys with great products...which is reflected in prices. Cadlights is a good product as well, but expectations for the light have to be softies and maybe some LPS. He said he just wants to be able to grow zoas so I don't see that being a problem. Quote Link to comment
evanski Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 He said he just wants to be able to grow zoas so I don't see that being a problem. Agree...as long as that's where it stops, which in my experience it never does. Still, he is accumulating some thoughts and advice, so he can make an informed decision. Gotta give him credit for doing his due diligence. Quote Link to comment
noobofreefs Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 It's only $90 for the tank with the lights. If he wants to upgrade he can, but to start with now it's very affordable. And yeah credit for doing due diligence...I've been looking at all the AIOs under 10 gallons again and again and I still can't decide. Coming down to Fluval Spec V or Cadlights 8G for me...Do you think a 18w Par38 would give enough light to a Cadlight 8G? Quote Link to comment
evanski Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 It's only $90 for the tank with the lights. If he wants to upgrade he can, but to start with now it's very affordable. And yeah credit for doing due diligence...I've been looking at all the AIOs under 10 gallons again and again and I still can't decide. Coming down to Fluval Spec V or Cadlights 8G for me...Do you think a 18w Par38 would give enough light to a Cadlight 8G? Agree $90 is great for a starter kit as long as expectations are reasonable as far as livestock. Yes, I think Par 38 is plenty, but you can ask sponsor vendors on NR for a recommendation. Make sure to check out the NanoBox stuff as well...more money but awesome stuff, better look, and more functionality. Quote Link to comment
KyleRay31 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 This pico tank in all regards would basically be my "frag rack" for my zoas until they grow so I don't have the eye soar of frag plugs all about the main tank. Yes the pico will be scaped and treated the same as the main tank, but it will strictly be for zoas no other softies or lps. Plan would be to take live rock from my sump, water from the the main tank plug the little dude up and go. Quote Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I really like the Cadlights 4 and 8. I have the 8 myself and it is great. The pump by itself is plenty of flow too. I have 1 frilly mushroom (which I will probably take out) and 24 zoa frags from 1 to 50 polyps. One rock that I carved, an inch of sand, a little diverter on the return pump to keep the sand in place, and the stock pump. I also put in a 50 watt heater. Mike Quote Link to comment
mblackburn Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 I'm interested in getting a Cadlight and/or Nuvo. Quote Link to comment
masterbuilder Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 IMHO..... http://www.picoaquariums.com/ hands down Quote Link to comment
Kody Wolfe Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Since this is an ancient post, I thought I would bring the question back up... Is there an AIO reef ready pico on the market? IMO it would include: LEDs on par with a PAR38 (pun intended) LPS/SPS level of flow/turnover Hidden heater and fan Built in ATO Minimal built in controller (for heater/fan, ATO, lights, and pump) 1-5 gallon display volume All without any tweaking... Anyone know of something like this? Quote Link to comment
Stoops718 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/discontinued-4-gallon-ultra-clear-glass-cube-waterbox/ Doesn't include heater, light, or controller but looks good for the price. Quote Link to comment
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