My Rembrandt

[PicoSavvy]

Pico Nation

Well I finally decided to start a build thread on my pico. The inspiration for this build believe it or not came from this

I wanted a simple modern look to it. Originally it was going to be a simple build but after being introduced to the mame brand. Well I went mame crazy and order their skimmer and overflow. The tank it self is 12 x 6 x 6 inch (the original tank has now been replaced by a mr aqua rimless tank) that we'll be connected to a 8x4x8 sump (sump will also be replaced in the future by a custom rimless one, still with the same dimensions.)

So far I have have bought :

-2 nano doser for dosing 2 part (replaced by a kore 5th doser, A.K.A sexy doser)

-Mame skimmer

-Mame overflow (now with optional silencer cap)

-Coralife Mini aqua lift (being replaced by a led system)

-Spectrapure U.P.L.C. Ultra-Precise Leveler (now ato will be taken care of by the kore 5th doser)

I also bought a new container for the skimate the one that comes with mame is cool and everything but I wanted to continue the all glass look that I am going for.

 

Soon I well be placing an order for reefkeeper controller and return pump.

Now on to some photos :

Here is the tank being water tested

This is the sump being outfitted with the mame skimmer mount

Here is the mame overflow sitting pretty on the tank

Well due to the thick rim the aquarium has I had to take out the xacto knife and trim out the rim

[NinjaReefer]

Sounds like a cool setup. I never heard of the Mame skimmer before, but I just looked it up. Thats awesome. I wish I new about that before.

 

From their website:

"The portion of the MAME skimmer that is underwater is 8" or 200mm
The overall length of the MAME skimmer is 13"

 

so 8 inches needs to be submerged.

 

Are you sure you will have enough water depth for the skimmer? Is it going in sump or display?

[PicoSavvy]

Sounds like a cool setup. I never heard of the Mame skimmer before, but I just looked it up. Thats awesome. I wish I new about that before.

 

From their website:

"The portion of the MAME skimmer that is underwater is 8" or 200mm

The overall length of the MAME skimmer is 13"

 

so 8 inches needs to be submerged.

 

Are you sure you will have enough water depth for the skimmer? Is it going in sump or display?

Actually the mame skimmer can run in as little as 4 inches of water here is a link that talks about it http://reefbuilders.com/2009/06/08/mame-glass-skimmer-mame-design/ when you first get it, it looks more like an apple product then an aquarium skimmer. The skimmer well most likely go into the sump but the thing is so beautiful that it may find its way into the display tank

[Nanofreak79]

Make a nice sump and the skimmer will still look awesome!

[PicoSavvy]

Make a nice sump and the skimmer will still look awesome!

I hope it turn out nice bro I am trying to get a simplistic look

[NinjaReefer]

Actually the mame skimmer can run in as little as 4 inches of water here is a link that talks about it http://reefbuilders.com/2009/06/08/mame-glass-skimmer-mame-design/ when you first get it, it looks more like an apple product then an aquarium skimmer. The skimmer well most likely go into the sump but the thing is so beautiful that it may find its way into the display tank

 

Oh cool. Good to know. I think that might actually fit and work in the back of my 1.6 gallon AIO. Hmrrrrrrrrr......

 

Good luck with your setup. It looks like you have all the right parts for an amazing tank! I will be following along.

[PicoSavvy]

Oh cool. Good to know. I think that might actually fit and work in the back of my 1.6 gallon AIO. Hmrrrrrrrrr......

 

Good luck with your setup. It looks like you have all the right parts for an amazing tank! I will be following along.

if you have about an inch and half of space to spare it well fit ( 2 inch to be on the safe side). I know on a pico a skimmer is overkill, but since I am going sps on this tank and I know how sps like their crystal clear water

[NinjaReefer]

I used to keep some simpler SPS in a very similar sized tank to yours. Just a 2.5 with a coralife mini and a hang on back filter. They did surprisingly well. In my opinion the best thing you can do for these tiny tanks is lots of water changes.

 

Are you planning any fish or critters?

[PicoSavvy]

 

I used to keep some simpler SPS in a very similar sized tank to yours. Just a 2.5 with a coralife mini and a hang on back filter. They did surprisingly well. In my opinion the best thing you can do for these tiny tanks is lots of water changes.

 

Are you planning any fish or critters?

No fish on this tank (due to such a small total water volume less then 3 gallon total volume, I don't think it could handle the bioload, it not that the skimmer can't handle it I am more afraid Of sg swings due to wet skimming), at most a crab and maybe a clean up crew if I decide on a sand bottom if I go bare bottom no clean up crew.

[PicoSavvy]

Here is how the sump looks like in it most simplistic form

 I am hoping to keep it as close to this as I can I am still deciding on what return pump to buy. I know I want an external pump, I was looking at the pan world 30px but with it 258 gph rate I think is to much for this tank. I know I can install a valve to control the flow but I don't know if I can lower it low enough where it does not cause a sand storm and Also well not put excessive force on the motor

[tibbsy07]

What is the glass bottle for? Set up looks great! Cant wait to see what you do with it

 

Edit: i assume the glass bottle is the mame skimmer waste receptacle?

[PicoSavvy]

What is the glass bottle for? Set up looks great! Cant wait to see what you do with it

Edit: i assume the glass bottle is the mame skimmer waste receptacle?

The glass bottle is for the skimmate. I like the mame one but, this one has a more modern look to it.

[NinjaReefer]

I'm mad that your sump has nicer silicon than my display.

[PicoSavvy]

I'm mad that your sump has nicer silicon than my display.

Thank you man, I am sure you can trim your silicon and get even better results then mines. Here is my unboxing video on the mame skimmer. It just something i threw together real quick on my phone

[PicoSavvy]

Well on the to get list there is :

-SILENCE COVER FOR MAME OVERFLOW (want it to be as quiet as possible since it is going in my bedroom)

 

-Sand maybe the MAME DESIGN - PURE WHITE SAND (this sand is just beautiful, but so far I have not seen any review on it)

 

-Pvc pipe and fittings ( can't decide between brs cooler pvc pipe or transperent pvc pipe)

 

-Some dry rock

 

-Custom lid for both the sump and display tank

 

-Optional - Mame float switch

 

-Aluminum extrusion for the stand

 

-Ato container

[chemikalzsky]

Nice build up and inspiration! What are you thinking of making your lid out of?

[PicoSavvy]

Nice build up and inspiration! What are you thinking of making your lid out of?

The lids well most likely be build from acrylic. I want the lid for the sump to integrate opening for the skimmer, ato sensor and the input and output water lines. The lid for the display just has to integrate the mame overflow.

And welcome to nano-reef

[Nanofreak79]

Here is how the sump looks like in it most simplistic form I am hoping to keep it as close to this as I can I am still deciding on what return pump to buy. I know I want an external pump, I was looking at the pan world 30px but with it 258 gph rate I think is to much for this tank. I know I can install a valve to control the flow but I don't know if I can lower it low enough where it does not cause a sand storm and Also well not put excessive force on the motor

paint the sump braces white! Look sexy

White acrylic kids, white sock holder, all white return and drain lines. Black modern stand.hmmnn

[PicoSavvy]

On 7/12/2015 at 10:17 PM, Nanofreak79 said:

paint the sump braces white! Look sexyWhite acrylic kids, white sock holder, all white return and drain lines. Black modern stand.hmmnn

Do you have any tips for painting the braces, the part of it touching the glass would still be black.

I do have a black bottle bottle just in case the white one does not give me the overall look I am going for 

[Nanofreak79]

I've just taped off the glass and the opening to the sump so no overspray gets in. The little things can really make a sump or tank setup stand out. Use white acrylic in the sump, if your using baffles? You could even add some white accent on the stand.

I use krylon fusion for anything in water or near water. Paint Becomes inert when dry.

[PicoSavvy]

I won't be using baffles in the sump since it won't give me that clean look that I am going after. Do you think a vinyl wrap would work for the braces. I don't trust myself with spray paint

[Nanofreak79]

I don't think so. Spraying is easy, light coats if your worried about runs....just an idea I had, leave it as is if you want.

[PicoSavvy]

I don't think so. Spraying is easy, light coats if your worried about runs....just an idea I had, leave it as is if you want.

It is a good idea. I have never have seen a white brace on an aquarium. I am a little worried about spray paint because I have never been handy when it comes to painting

[Nanofreak79]

Slow and steady. Take your time, tape off good and use light coats. Watch a few videos if you need to.

[pgrVII]

Well I finally decided to start a build thread on my pico. The inspiration for this build believe it or not came from this

I wanted a simple modern look to it. Originally it was going to be a simple build but after being introduced to the mame brand. Well I went mame crazy and order their skimmer and overflow. The tank it self is a 12 x 6 x 6 inch that we'll be connected to a 8x4x8 sump. So far I have have bought :

2 nano doser for dosing 2 part

Mame skimmer

Mame overflow

Coralife Mini aqua lift

Spectrapure U.P.L.C. Ultra-Precise Leveler

I also bought a new container for the skimate the one that comes with mame is cool and everything but I wanted to continue the all glass look that I am going for.

Soon I well be placing an order for reefkeeper controller and return pump

Now on to some photos :

Here is the tank being water tested

This is the sump being outfitted with the mame skimmer mount

Here is the mame overflow sitting pretty on the tank

Well due to the thick rim the aquarium has I had to take out the xacto knife and trim out the rim

This looks really awesome I like the mame setup nice and clean,I had to trim my rim to fit my nanobox light on lol that stuff is actually pretty thick.