Tigahboy Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 October FTS: September FTS: August FTS: July FTS: June FTS: May FTS: April FTS: *** I'm in: After being out of the SW game for close to 10 years, I recently started a FW tank that I've been calling the #kiddieplantedtank for my 3 year old son to house Japanese Blue Endler guppies. The tank has elements that he really appreciates (i.e., mostly having a miniature "house" with a spinning wheel and seeing guppies "walk" on the bridge), but I've enjoyed it a great deal myself as well. Photo below: That FW tank led me back to N-R, and I've been itching to set up a nano reef tank ever since. I do have a 20g nano reef project in the works right now, but that is taking a bit longer than anticipated to get wet. So I figure might as well make my life harder and throw this pico tank into the mix. For this set-up, I'm going to try to make a pico that complements and replicates some elements of the #kiddieplantedtank that I set up for my son. Basically a tank that both he and I can enjoy together. I'm calling this one the #kiddiereeftank. 🙂 And the pico will be home to pom-pom crabs. Maybe I should call this tank the Pom-Pom Pico Paradise Tank. 🤔 Some background: I've been away from N-R for a very long time, so I'm not familiar with most of the active N-R members anymore, and don't see many of my old N-R buddies around (😥), but I'm looking forward to getting to know current N-R members through this contest. I was a very active N-R member myself almost 15 years ago (Team '04!), and I had a blast participating in N-R's very first pico contest back in 2005-2006 with my custom 2.5g surge/tidal pico. Admittedly, I focused more on the set-up than the livestock for that first contest, so I'm glad that we have standardized the tank and equipment this time so I can focus more on what's inside the tank. But sorry, I just can't bring myself to do the janky tank. lol. TL;DR - I'm super thrilled to be back in this hobby after a long absence, and I'm entering the pico contest with my #kiddiereeftank which will house pom-pom crabs. Anywho, time to put on my game face. 12 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Current Equipment List: Tank: UNS 3N - 12.2 x 7.48 x 7.48" Heater: Tetra HT 50W (smallest one I could find with reasonable reviews) Aquatop 25w preset Circulation: Hydor Pico Evo-Mag 180 gph powerhead HOB Filtration: Clear Aquaneat HB-10 (65 gph) Primary Lighting: NanoBox Mini Tide Backlighting: Smiful LED strip ATO: Smart ATO Micro Stocking Plans: Primary residents will be pom-pom crabs. The rest will likely be a mixed reef. But I'm not going to commit myself to anything in particular yet. Have some ideas, but want to see how things go (i.e., what I can get locally) and adjust as needed. Other: Live rock: 2 lb 2 oz Real Reef Rock rock rubble pieces Sand: 3 lb Caribsea Hawaiian Black sand 4 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 2 hours ago, Tigahboy said: Current Equipment List: Tank: UNS 3N - 12.2 x 7.48 x 7.48" Heater: Tetra HT 50W (smallest one I could find with reasonable reviews) Circulation: TBD HOB Filtration: TBD Lighting: TBD Stocking Plans: Primary residents will be pom-pom crabs. The rest will likely be a mixed reef. But I'm not going to commit myself to anything in particular yet. Have some ideas, but want to see how things go (i.e., what I can get locally) and adjust as needed. Sounds good! The planted tank looks really fun! Looking forward to seeing how this comes together! 1 Quote Link to comment
Christopher Marks Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 It's so great to have you back @Tigahboy, I can't wait to see what you create with your pico reef! 👍 You have some legendary nano reefs under your belt, like your original 2.5g pico reef contest tank, hopefully you can find some old photos from back then! 🙂 3 Quote Link to comment
SeaFurn Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Looking forward to getting to know you better too and so excited to see what you do with this! From CM’s comment I think it’s gonna be one to watch! I fell I love with Pom Pom crabs when @Lula_Mae got one for her small tank quite a while ago. Since then I’ve always wanted one. Maybe someday. Good luck! 2 Quote Link to comment
vlangel Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 33 minutes ago, Christopher Marks said: It's so great to have you back @Tigahboy, I can't wait to see what you create with your pico reef! 👍 You have some legendary nano reefs under your belt, like your original 2.5g pico reef contest tank, hopefully you can find some old photos from back then! 🙂 O wow, I would love to see those photos! 3 Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 That guppy tank is super cute 🙂 3 Quote Link to comment
Frag Factory Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I love the guppy tank! Looking forward to seeing what you can do this time round. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 4 hours ago, MetaTank said: Sounds good! The planted tank looks really fun! Looking forward to seeing how this comes together! It has been a great little tank for us. And the guppies keep us on our toes with the crazy number of fry that keep popping up from time to time. 3 hours ago, Christopher Marks said: It's so great to have you back @Tigahboy, I can't wait to see what you create with your pico reef! 👍 You have some legendary nano reefs under your belt, like your original 2.5g pico reef contest tank, hopefully you can find some old photos from back then! 🙂 Thank you, sir! I will dig around to see what I can find. I do feel a little more pressure to perform now. 😓 2 hours ago, SeaFurn said: Looking forward to getting to know you better too and so excited to see what you do with this! From CM’s comment I think it’s gonna be one to watch! I fell I love with Pom Pom crabs when @Lula_Mae got one for her small tank quite a while ago. Since then I’ve always wanted one. Maybe someday. Good luck! 🙂 I've never kept pom-poms myself, so I'm going to have to check out hers. Thanks for the reference. 58 minutes ago, Tamberav said: That guppy tank is super cute 🙂 Thanks! 46 minutes ago, Frag Factory said: I love the guppy tank! Looking forward to seeing what you can do this time round. 🙂 Thanks! Don't expect too much tho. Gotta lower the expectations here. Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 2 hours ago, vlangel said: O wow, I would love to see those photos! I'm going to see if I can dig around and find some photos/vids. I think the vids would be better since it shows the pico in action. But here's a photo of my pico contest entry from my gallery: It basically had the sump above the custom display. A small pump transported water up to the sump and a siphon would form periodically in the top tank that would send a surge of water into the main display below causing a mini tidal wave. And sorry for the crappy photo, but the readily available cameras back then sucked and the cameras on phones were terrible. To that end, here's the very first rule from the first pico contest on N-R: "Ok first off. This contest requires you have a digital camera or access to a digital camera at fairly regular intervals during the contest. Welcome to 2005......a contest that requires digital photos. If you don't have a digital camera, think to yourself......."can I borrow a digital camera or cameraphone regularly to get shots of my tank entry when I need them?". If the answer is no, then you won't be able to take part in this contest." 😂 1 4 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Leak test done! Also read that some Pom-Pom Crabs live in Hawaii. Hope this makes them feel at home in the #kiddiereeftank: 7 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 lol, I've been thinking about joining the contest too, and that exact tank was in my shopping cart you beat me to it. lol 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Need to decide on circulation. Checking out couple options. 1. This no name brand, but super compact, 80 gph pump: or 2. This Nero 5. I think the rule of thumb is 1,000X flow is all you need to know, right? 4 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 13 minutes ago, 748S911 said: lol, I've been thinking about joining the contest too, and that exact tank was in my shopping cart you beat me to it. lol Do it! I know most are using the jank tank, but a handful of us are going with the UNS. It's such a sexy tank! 45 degree precision cut mitered edges. Ooooh. 91% diamant glass clarity. Ahhhh. 3 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Just now, Tigahboy said: Do it! I know most are using the jank tank, but a handful of us are going with the UNS. It's such a sexy tank! 45 degree precision cut mitered edges. Ooooh. 91% diamant glass clarity. Ahhhh. How are those corners treating ya...lol. If I do decide to jump in, I'm looking at ai prime hd vs zetlight za1201 wifi for the UNS and for flow I was thinking aqamai wifi oooooo. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Just now, 748S911 said: How are those corners treating ya...lol. If I do decide to jump in, I'm looking at ai prime hd vs zetlight za1201 wifi for the UNS and for flow I was thinking aqamai wifi oooooo. AI Prime HD?? I hate you. Don't join the contest. 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 lol, I really wanted a prime hd and the aqamai wave maker for my evo. So this would be the perfect excuse to get them. Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 5 minutes ago, 748S911 said: lol, I really wanted a prime hd and the aqamai wave maker for my evo. So this would be the perfect excuse to get them. I hear ya. For my 20g build, I was planning to set up a frag space in my sump since there will be a lot of room in there. So I'm trying to convince myself it's OK to spend the $$$ for a nice light for the pico since I can use it for the frag space down the road. At least that's what I will tell my wife if I end up doing that. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 I'm totally not set on doing this, but since the tiki statue has a directional sign towards a volcano, I'm thinking about going this route. It takes up A LOT of real estate tho, so still on the fence. My son would really get a kick out of it tho. Hard decision! Turn off the lights and the tank be looking LIT, literally and figuratively: And here's a video: 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Here's what it would look like if I kept the volcano in the tank. Not much room for LR and aquascaping tho. 🤔 4 2 Quote Link to comment
Lingwendil Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 That's a nice little tank, I really like smaller rimless setups, but need to go with a cover glass with the kids and cat being too curious. Your surge tank was a huge inspiration when I first started reefing seriously, it's really cool to see you back on here! I used to drool over your tanks back in the day :) 2 Quote Link to comment
Wingy Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 I think your kiddo will love the volcano. I vote leave it in if he likes it. If you could chisel out some flat pieces you could put some rock under the volcano almost like steps. 2 Quote Link to comment
asting Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 grow coral on the volcano? 3 Quote Link to comment
yoshii Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Nice guppy tank and non-janky tank! Excited to see what you do with this one. Yes, keep the volcano! 1 1 Quote Link to comment
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