10x10x10 Deep Blue

[kenneking]

I am starting a new pico tank, and it had been a while since I went this small. Lets see what happens!

Hardware:
5.5 Gallon Deep blue Cube
75 Watt Neo Them Heater
Aquamaxx Nemo nano LED

Hydor ATO with Tom's Aqualifter

Aquaclear 70 (AC 50 impeller)

Storking list:
Mushrooms- Orange, Red, Blue, and blue/green rhodactis
Frogspawn
pulsing Xenia

Zoanthids- Fire and Ice, AOG, Blue Tubs, Bam Bams, Strawberry Fields, and two no names (rastas and purple hornets, are not happy and closed)

 

 

 

FTS:

[Matteo]

AC70 FTW if you do not have a wave in the tank the Micro ATO is super small. For media just filter floss/sponge/mesh and some carbon

[Tamberav]

My AC70 is too loud, maybe because it is older though? I have a eheim canister on my freshwater that seems to run nice and quiet. Toms aqualifter is too loud imo.

 

I run a 5g pico right next to my head where I sleep. Too keep it quiet I have an AIO and only use the return pump for flow. I put a hood on it so I wouldn't get evaporation to solve yet another moving part noise. There should be quiet ATO's though but you also have to factor how it will look in the display.

[Matteo]

Newer AC filters are quiet. Also Tom's lifters are meh IMO.

[kenneking]

I think I have two options for filters one is a canister on is HOB, people say the canister is quieter but they always scare me. If I am only using the filter for a little media does it really matter?

 

Option one:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16742&cmpid=03cseYY&gclid=CMTo9qKwucwCFZM6gQodm_sKCA

Option two: Aquaclear 70

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3610&pcatid=3610

[Matteo]

If you do a canister you MUST clean weekly. They are known to have build raising nitrates and phosphates.

[kenneking]

That's the part that kills me about them

[kenneking]

Just ordered an Aquaclear 70 and Hydor ATO I feel like it is Christmas!

[Matteo]

Just ordered an Aquaclear 70 and Hydor ATO I feel like it is Christmas!

as it should!!!

[Eckozulu]

All u need now is an intank media basket, and done....

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Any pics?

[Reefkid88]

+1 on pics !!!!

[kenneking]

The Old tank I am taking down

 

Almost all the parts came in either today or a few days ago for the new tank!

 

Now everything installed

 

My view while I am trying to study for finals

 

All I need is the light then I will get all the parts wet. This weekend (after finals are done) I should have everything set up with Salt water!

 

 

 

[kenneking]

I got water in the tank and everything is working great. The AC is a little loud, but I can handle the noise.

 

I also got my last part in the mail yesterday

 

And here it is!

 

I really like the light, but I was hoping for a little more in options for the timer, and thunderstorm. Overall for what I payed for it I would definitely but it again.

[Bldgengineer]

Following because I can't wait to see the final product! Looks great so far!

[Reefkid88]

This is coming together nicely!

[kenneking]

The tank is up and running!

I am still trying to figure out this light but everything else is working

I threw in a few tester frags of frogspawn GSP, two mushrooms and some pulsing xenia.

 

FTS:

 

Sideview:

[jstuver]

Nice I'm looking for a light for my little 6.2g Petco arc tank and am looking into this. I'll be following:)

[kenneking]

Well guys I have been MIA for the summer but I am now back and the tank is happy and growing!

 

 

Now to sit back and watch it grow!

[Reefkid88]

you liking the Nemo so far ? Those Duncan's look amazing !!!!

[kenneking]

The Nemo is hit and miss. For being $79 it is great, and the growth and color is perfect. The downside is it is kinda hard to program and anytime the power goes out the timer needs reset. Sadly the timer can only be set at the time you want it to turn on at. Moral of the story I got what I paid for, and worth it if the power never goes out in your area, or you are on a battery backup.

[kenneking]

I got a yellow gel filter to help take pictures and it actually worked great!

 

FTS:

 

Side:

[Friendly]

if one went with less rock so there was more floor space/swimming room, what kind of bio load do you think this tank could take?

 

I'm mostly thinking shrimp/snails and crab, not actual fish.

[kenneking]

It all depends on how much feeding and water changes you want to do. The hard part I ran into is one finding rock small enough for the tank without making my own rock from rubble. For bio load you can do a biweekly water change and probably get away with anything you want. The tank holds about four gallons of water so you could do a few crabs and shrimp no problem, you just have to worry about not feeding too much.

[Friendly]

yeah, nature isn't so favorable when it comes to daily feeding...so I'd likely feed every 2nd or 3rd day.