ishootdeadppl Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Last year I needed to break down a 24G Aquapod I had due to... life. I'm not setting it back up for now for a variety of reasons, but I'm thinking about a pico for the bedroom. I've done a little bit of research (probably far less than I should have but...) and here's what I've decided and what questions I have:Decided: 3-5 gallon (dunno which tank, could be rimmed or rimless, basic one from Petsmart or something like a Fluval) open top (in Vegas, apartment 80-82 in summer, so this is for heat dissipation) zoas and other low light coral some size suited livestock (small goby perhaps, love their personalities!) Strongly prefer all hardware (for the next maybe 6 months at least) below $150, prefer below $100 No heater (may change come winter after monitoring), skimmer, controller Most likely no ATO (also might change after monitoring) Questions: Any pitfalls that I need to be aware of? LIGHT (probably biggest question) Best suited livestock Water movement (Hydor Centrifigals perhaps?) Do live rock, live sand, and clean up crew proportions stand true for picos as they do larger tanks? At least for now I think that's it. Probably the biggest issue is the light. I dunno what lights really have the power for a pico, nor what would be too much. Then throw in the fact that a year from now my 'low light corals' could wind up being SPS or something (because we all know how tank plans go) things might of course change.I've also read through a few build threads. In particular I was drawn to one by rocksmom (http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/351246-3-gallon-almost-budget-pico-new-fts-and-video-105/) or at least her original plan. Dunno that I'll go bare bottom, but I have to admit the painted bottom looks fantastic! I appreciate whatever input can be given. I'd really like to stay in budget, especially since I'm not factoring in the money for livestock yet. Link to comment
jlangtree Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Hi ishootdeadppl, Pico's are incredibly easy to keep, it is always the user that over complicates the process in turn making them unmanageable over time. In answer to your Questions: Any pitfalls that I need to be aware of?Substrate, it is the biggest collector of detritus in tank. Over time it will become unmanageable. Bare bottom in a Pico is always best when starting out. LIGHT (probably biggest question)Simple Par30 or Par38 globe on a gooseneck or lamp over the tank is more than enough in that small water volume. Best suited livestockSofties and LPS Water movement (Hydor Centrifigals perhaps?)Depending on the size of your tank really, to give you an idea my 2gal Pico has a 80gal HOB filter that provides more than enough flow. Do live rock, live sand, and clean up crew proportions stand true for picos as they do larger tanks?ALL organisms produce waste, even in a clean tank that you do not feed will still produce detritus. Once again to give you an idea, in my 2gal Pico I have 1 small Coral Banded shrimp and two small Turbo snails that keep it spotless without producing unmanageable waste levels (I could probably go down to one single snail actually) Hope this helps, have a great weekend! Link to comment
shawnd08 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 I have 3.7 gallon tank from petco I modified, I went with a par30 led from Coral compulsion and bought a gooseneck type lamp stand from staples that clamps to the night stand. I would say on a small tank it is the cleanest look and provides more than enough light at a minimal cost. This is my first reef tank and so far it has not been as difficult as most make a pico out to be. I've changed a gallon of water a week and every other day change the filter floss in my little .4 gallon fuge. I also have a yellow clown goby which has a great personality and has hosted some of my zoas. looking forward to seeing your tank! Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Thanks for the reply. Hopefully I'm not overcomplicating things, in fact I'm hoping to minimize them. I'd like to keep this rather simple, but we'll see how things go. As an example, my Aquapod was supposed to be a tank and light, it grew to a tank, light, skimmer, sump, chiller, controller... I'm hoping to not have that happen here, my only concerns being heat/evap (it's warm here) and a change in heart later and wanting to expand from low light.I think the biggest decision I have to make has to do with the lighting. My first option is buying a non reef EcoPico off of Amazon or EBay (I found at least one new if you can believe it!) for like $125, and then spend another $40 or so buying two addition strips of light, going slightly over budget. The second option is what you suggest, though until you answered I didn't know what the lighting needs would be. With a PAR 30 or 38 is there any danger of too MUCH light? If so I'll need to consider that for light placement. Looks like if I went with Coral Compulsion I can get a QUALITY clamp on gooseneck for $50 and then the bulb for $60 if I don't go dimmable. Find a tank and a small pump and I'm good to go on the high side but under my budget.On the substrate, are you saying that in a pico substrate is bad? I ask because I notice so many here with substrate. I've got to admit that I liked the painted bottom of the tank to simulate it, but I would probably prefer sand (though that's not set in stone and I know it's easier to add in sand later. Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 OK, looking at things it looks like my budget may just be a bit low to do things right, but not by much. With that in mind (thought I'd like closer to 5G): Option 1: JBJ PicotopeOption 2: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idproduct=AZ1113&idCartRow=62144346&isKit=0&child=AZ1113 180GPH Hydor Pico (or something similar) Coral Compulsion PAR 30 18K or 22K Coral Compulsion Fixture Option 1: $60 and upgrade later Option 2: $170 and hopefully do it right 'the first time' It looks like the lighting will be delayed, so I'd wind up with the tank cycling while waiting for the light, which works out fine. Regardless of choice I'll probably paint the tank bottom as rocksmom did allowing me to not worry about a bare bottom if I choose that route. Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 As a possible variant, what about this for an extra $12 (assuming it becomes available? Yeah, I'm not so good about budgets.http://www.marinedepot.com/Mr._Aqua_Tranquil_5.2_Gallon_Frameless_Glass_Aquarium_w_Free_1_Liter_Mr._Aqua_Aquarium_Soil_Rectangular_Aquariums-Mr._Aqua-AZ311551-FIAQRA-vi.html Link to comment
lobster876 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Wait for the fluval sea 5 its 5 gallons 100 dollars and has a light that can grow any coral underthe sun Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 I read (probably on this forum) that the touch activated lights can NOT be controlled by a timer. If so that would make this tank a no go in my opinion. Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Looks like Option 2 will be happening, though I still need to make a final tank decision. Out of curiosity, would an MP10 be too much flow for a 3 gallon? Obviously it'll be turned way down. Figure since I already have one I can use that (at least for now) until I get my bigger tank going. Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Final answer:JBJ Picotope (for now)AC 70 'fuge with stock JBJ lightCoral Compulsions PAR 30 18KRealized the MP10 will be too much flow, so I'm hoping the AC 70 will do. Do I need another small powerhead?Once everything arrives I think I'll paint the bottom like rocksmom did in case I go bare bottom. I think it's far more likely for me to put in sand, but it gives me the flexibility. I've got some live rock that I've been storing (and is hopefully still alive).Any advice on modding the AC70/light to block light bleeding?With the PAR 30 I'm guessing I can stock most corals (I imagine there's some that I can't) but I'm still, for now going to focus on lower light, probably a bunch of zoas. Never really got into mushrooms (though that could change with the right one) though rics can be nice.Fish will certianly be trickier, and may solidify my decision on sand. I'm PROBABLY thinking about a goby, but I'm open. I'd love to hear suggestions for what to put in. I'm also toying with the gpby/pistol shrimp pair, but I'm hesitant because I've never had a pistol before, don't know how loud it really is, and the tank will be in the bedroom. Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 https://www.flickr.com/photos/71704230@N08/shares/e60n0T https://www.flickr.com/photos/71704230@N08/shares/5h4tH3 Link to comment
hauksanger Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I'm curious on how this bare bottom tank will turn out Obviously, it seems to be the cleanest option, but it looks a bit... sterile in my opinion. But that's probably because I'd like a goby, and they seem to ned some substrate. But then again, a yellow clown goby in a tank with a mushroom/xenia/ricordia floor sounds kinda cool Link to comment
ishootdeadppl Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 I probably will be putting in sand. This leaves options though. As it is now I have a sand look to it, but no actual sand. Should I add sand later (probably get a goby, and as you said...) then I'm out the like $6 for the paint and no harm to the tank. It's just about the options. Link to comment
hauksanger Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Yeah, the logicis impeccable I think I'm gonna try a ricordea-floor tank when I get the 10- gallon going, so I can have BOTH a goby and a no-sand pico Plus, I'm sensing a budding addiction to ricordeas Link to comment
jackjackng Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Open top tank the fishes didnt jump out? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.