gena Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 Yes, definitely one of the biggest challenges in keeping a pico stable especially during the hot summer months. I even used to put ice cubes in a ziploc bag to keep it running cool but that was before I upgraded to LEDs. A pricey option for most people but well worth the money if you're hardcore like I am. Which LED set up did you go with? Was it something you had to retrofit? Last night before I went to bed the tank was a nice 80.1 degrees. I walk in this morning and it's sitting at 86.5!!!! That's with lights off! The room is 68 degrees. I think it's time for a new heater. I'm also considering, though hate the thought of spending the money, buying a reefkeeper lite for this tank. That way when the temp gets too high, fan can kick in. When it gets too cold, heater on, fan off. These temp swings are killing me! Link to comment
Toby Flenderson Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 I lost a lot of coral in another tank of mine due to a fualty heater so I when I set up my pico, the cost of the reefkeeper was not so much for peace of mind. Link to comment
gena Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 I lost a lot of coral in another tank of mine due to a fualty heater so I when I set up my pico, the cost of the reefkeeper was not so much for peace of mind. Yep...I think I'll end up buying one of those. Maybe this week. I have one on my 10g and LOVE it! Link to comment
BobbyL1212 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 pretty sexy! a blue LED night effect would be cool too. Link to comment
el fabuloso Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Which LED set up did you go with? Was it something you had to retrofit? I got one of the Current Satellite retrofits from evil. Prebuilt of course, god knows I'm helpless with DIY projects. Sounds like your heater might be off. What heater are you using? Link to comment
gena Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 pretty sexy! a blue LED night effect would be cool too. Thanks! I'll look into an LED moonlight. That's on my list too $$$$$$$$...I thought picos were supposed to be cheaper not. I got one of the Current Satellite retrofits from evil. Prebuilt of course, god knows I'm helpless with DIY projects. Sounds like your heater might be off. What heater are you using? I'll keep his retrofit in mind. I hear you on the DIY projects. Not my forte! At least you did a great job on your ATO. I have assembled all the parts...just need some of them to show up in the mail now! Can't wait to stop manually topping off, constantly! I have a 25w stealth heater...but it's about 5 years old. I'm gonna get another today. Link to comment
BobbyL1212 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 if you get little LED diodes. it should only be a few bucks. Just rig up some blue ones from home depot or something. Link to comment
gena Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 if you get little LED diodes. it should only be a few bucks. Just rig up some blue ones from home depot or something. DIY challenged here. I'll check out the LEDs at Home Depot. Didn't know they even sold those. Link to comment
BobbyL1212 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 we learn new things everyday! Good Luck! Link to comment
ulver982 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Yes, definitely one of the biggest challenges in keeping a pico stable especially during the hot summer months. I even used to put ice cubes in a ziploc bag to keep it running cool but that was before I upgraded to LEDs. A pricey option for most people but well worth the money if you're hardcore like I am. I agree, keeping my pico at a stable temp was a pain at first. Eventually I broke down and got an Iceprobe chiller. Iceprobe + reefkeeper = super stable temps. I only see a 1 degree temperature difference between morning and night. Link to comment
Nano sapiens Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Looking for a very inexpensive ATO that works? This is the biggest pet bottle that Petco sells and supplies water for 3-5 days before needing a refill in my 12g tank. You could buy the smallest one and most likely go a week without refilling in a 3 gallon tank. I've been using this ATO for over a year and it has worked flawlessly. On the first page of my tank thread is a detailed description of how it works and the minor modification required: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172031 Link to comment
badfish816 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 evil hooked up with nanocustoms now and they will be offering the retro fit for the current here soon. i can't wait. temps are a problem with mine too. i link i will pick a thermostat until i can afford a RK. goodluck with the tank! Link to comment
gena Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 Great DIY!!!! I already bought my supplies for el fab's ato design....but hopefully this will help out someone else. Thanks for posting that! And, by the way, your tank is beautiful...love it! Looking for a very inexpensive ATO that works? This is the biggest pet bottle that Petco sells and supplies water for 3-5 days before needing a refill in my 12g tank. You could buy the smallest one and most likely go a week without refilling in a 3 gallon tank. I've been using this ATO for over a year and it has worked flawlessly. On the first page of my tank thread is a detailed description of how it works and the minor modification required: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172031 evil hooked up with nanocustoms now and they will be offering the retro fit for the current here soon. i can't wait. temps are a problem with mine too. i link i will pick a thermostat until i can afford a RK. goodluck with the tank! Thanks for the heads up! My little fluctuating heat box can use all the help she can get I picked up a new heater today. Gonna see how it goes...if there's still a problem, looks like a RK lite it will be. Link to comment
gena Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 I picked up the new heater. And ordered the RKL. Here's a current FTS. I added in some El Fab blue cloves...can you spot them? Lower front left. Notice the manuf. sticker is gone...it DOES look 10 times better oh yeah...I also have diatoms now. 09/28/09 Link to comment
el fabuloso Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Definitely better without the sticker. I can see my grandbabies. Link to comment
badfish816 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 where did ou order your RKL? digital aquatics is running a sale for $99. Link to comment
gena Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 where did ou order your RKL? digital aquatics is running a sale for $99. I ordered it from Digital Aquatics. I think the RKL is the best piece of equipment I have added to any of my tanks. This is going to help me out tremendously Link to comment
badfish816 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 good. now i just need to get one. then i will be in the club. Link to comment
dinosue Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Hi, I know you are already in the process of getting your ATO set up, but I used this ATO for my pico. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...t&p=2239216 The pump is a bit loud (mine is hagen elite), but it only runs once or twice a day for about 5 to 10 sec, so it isn't too bad. It indeed made my life much easier. I really like your mini nem. I'd love to get one, it is just so hard to find them around though. Good luck with your pico. I really love mine. Link to comment
gena Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Hi, I know you are already in the process of getting your ATO set up, but I used this ATO for my pico.http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...t&p=2239216 The pump is a bit loud (mine is hagen elite), but it only runs once or twice a day for about 5 to 10 sec, so it isn't too bad. It indeed made my life much easier. I really like your mini nem. I'd love to get one, it is just so hard to find them around though. Good luck with your pico. I really love mine. That's another great ATO DIY! I know the Hagen elite pump....Good thing it only runs once or twice a day I'm really looking forward to getting the ATO going. I'm actually currently topping off several times throughout the day. A bit of a pita Do you have a thread for your tank? I'm gonna go look. Thanks for stopping by! Link to comment
dinosue Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 That's another great ATO DIY! I know the Hagen elite pump....Good thing it only runs once or twice a day I'm really looking forward to getting the ATO going. I'm actually currently topping off several times throughout the day. A bit of a pita Do you have a thread for your tank? I'm gonna go look. Thanks for stopping by! Hi Gena, I had a couple of fish jumped away, so I always keep my lid shut which helps reduce evaps significantly. Although when the weather gets too warm, I have to leave it open to cool it down. I don't have a thread for my tank yet. I've been lurking around here for quite a while, but English is not my first language, so I've been shying away from making my own tank thread. But I love to check other people's tanks. I really like your 10g tank too. I hope your son also enjoys it as well. I also started my tank to make my son happy, but I don't think he is big enough to enjoy it yet. Link to comment
gena Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Hi Gena, I had a couple of fish jumped away, so I always keep my lid shut which helps reduce evaps significantly. Although when the weather gets too warm, I have to leave it open to cool it down. I don't have a thread for my tank yet. I've been lurking around here for quite a while, but English is not my first language, so I've been shying away from making my own tank thread. But I love to check other people's tanks. I really like your 10g tank too. I hope your son also enjoys it as well. I also started my tank to make my son happy, but I don't think he is big enough to enjoy it yet. We have something in common! Trying to instill the love of reefing in our sons He likes it...but so far playing blockland and pivot and xbox 360, wii are more exciting right now. He doesn't give the tank 100% of his attention...but I know he loves having it in his room. Only time will tell if he catches the bug. Is that your tank in your avatar? It looks beautiful! You should start a thread..your english sounds great to me Link to comment
gena Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 This amazingly easy tank has been chugging along beautifully (knock on wood). I added a bunch of coral to it..most what I already had, and some grape monti from purpleup (I think I got that name right) and some chaeto stuffed in the back behind the rocks. The chaeto is getting everywhere, oh well I got the El Fab ATO up and running...one change, I used the aqualifter pump instead...works great. I also got my RKL in and it's keeping everything very stable. Here's some updated photos: FTS 10/09/09 Link to comment
c_k_kuehne Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Looking great -- Slow and steady is the way to go -- I've been keeping up even though I don't post much --- Love that PicoBow Charles Link to comment
w1dude Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 tank looks awesome! glad you got your chaeto! Link to comment
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