3 gallon Fluval Spec pico

[Kirk_M]

This is the second time I am attempting to keep this tank. Picos and I just don't seem to have much success.

 

Day 1:

 

 

Untitled by kirkmdds, on Flickr

Details:

Fluval Spec 3 gallon, no filtration besides mechanical via tank's sponge filter and biological from live rock

Upgraded the stock pump to an old Aquarium Systems MJ-900 I had lying around, and added a Hydor rotating flow attachment to it that I had hidden in a corner of the supply closet

About 5 lbs of rock I already had, as well as some dry sand I already had.

Lighting is an PAR 38 bulb that was taking up space in my aquarium closet.

Wish me luck

[pgrVII]

The rock looks awesome,good luck on this one.

[JR!]

really cool so far.

[spudwrench]

Im in for updates good luck

[Kirk_M]

Nothing new to report, other than diatoms and shifting of the sand a little. I did buy one of those ExoTerra reptile lamp arms to hang the Par38 on. It seems to be working very well.

[jaywong04]

nice scape you got there goodluck

[pismo_reefer]

Have you read all of brandon429's pico advice?

 

Water changes, directly corresponding to preferred water conditions, are what saves pico's.

Starting at 50% to cut nitrates in half, in a given period.

 

Ending up at dense feedings, prior to 100% weekly changes to completely clean/replenish the water column.

 

Once you get to 100% weekly changes, you'll have enough bacteria on the rock to stop mini-cycles from happening.

So, you'll just be removing all the bad, and replacing all the good.

 

In addition, absolute and total algae control is a huge factor.

 

I trust the guy that has a decade old pico vase (brandon429).

And, like a stalker, I've read all his advice, and most of his forum posts, both here and elsewhere.