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“Old school can be so cool” pico contest entry


mariahranch

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mariahranch

I’m still brand new to saltwater aquariums, having set up my first saltwater tank just after Christmas of 2018. I used to enjoy freshwater aquariums of various sizes but haven’t had one wet in at least ten years. Of course, I still had a bunch of various stuff lying around, including a few classic 2.5 gallon tanks! But after discussing the contest with the other half, he said I should get a rimless tank and some new supplies. So of course I’m not going to argue! Now if I’m allowed to make two entries, I’ll dig through all my ancient left-overs for a team jank entry too

 

I have ordered the aquamaxx 2.6 gallon aquarium from marine depot which is set to arrive on Wednesday.

 

I’ve already received some  of the equipment which includes:

 

Neotherm 25w heater

Aquaclear 50 HOB filter

Autoaqua micro ATO (purchased for a different tank but since I saw this contest I’ll probably use on this tank)

 

Current coral includes:

Acans

GSP

Zoas

Maxi mini anemone

Montipora 

sps (birdsnest?)

Yuma

Ricordea 

Mushroom

 

Livestock:

 

5 x bumble bee snails

1 x hermit crab

2 x neon gobies

 

1 x surprise guest invertebrate

 

 

I’ll post pics of the tank when it arrives!!!

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mariahranch

I haven’t decided on lighting yet! I might use the 18w led light I made that is total over-kill for the mini complete tank( if I can figure out how to mount it) OR maybe I’ll order a “real” light. One that comes to mind is the Fluval nano led which is a really cool light for $82, but not sure if I want the square light over a rectangular tank 🤣

 

 

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12 minutes ago, mariahranch said:

I haven’t decided on lighting yet! I might use the 18w led light I made that is total over-kill for the mini complete tank( if I can figure out how to mount it) OR maybe I’ll order a “real” light. One that comes to mind is the Fluval nano led which is a really cool light for $82, but not sure if I want the square light over a rectangular tank 🤣

 

 

 I’ve done diy leds, and somehow I end up spending more than I wanted to, without liking it lol.  I dont know much about the fluval nano but for 80 or so I would want some type of controlabilty.

 

I was going with this zetlight ZA1202 wifi that has an amazing app for your phone. Awesome led with a really nice mounting bracket for a $110 you should check that out.

 

I went with the AI prime this time, but I might still buy this one for my pico, and transfer my AI prime to my fluval evo in the future.  So many choices for lights today.

 

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/zetlight-za1201wifi-aqua-system-pico-led.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhYaTlM-74QIVkQOGCh2aaQFWEAQYAyABEgK8oPD_BwE

 

I hear alot of good things about this light 

the asta 20. Not sure if you can control it like the Zetlight.  Sweet light for $50 ish

 

https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Asta-20-Dimmable-Freshwater/dp/B07236CXBQ/ref=asc_df_B07236CXBQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198072615033&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15589662508465957864&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008159&hvtargid=pla-541812080792&psc=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Glad you could join!  YES - when the better half says you can get new equipment, jump on it!!!  Wow- 2 entries would be unprecedented!  Many of us struggled getting one approved!  

Looking forward to seeing this or these come together!

 

Make sure to announce your entry on the main contest page!

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mariahranch
41 minutes ago, 748S911 said:

 I’ve done diy leds, and somehow I end up spending more than I wanted to, without liking it lol.  I dont know much about the fluval nano but for 80 or so I would want some type of controlabilty.

 

I was going with this zetlight ZA1202 wifi that has an amazing app for your phone. Awesome led with a really nice mounting bracket for a $110 you should check that out.

 

I went with the AI prime this time, but I might still buy this one for my pico, and transfer my AI prime to my fluval evo in the future.  So many choices for lights today.

 

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/zetlight-za1201wifi-aqua-system-pico-led.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhYaTlM-74QIVkQOGCh2aaQFWEAQYAyABEgK8oPD_BwE

 

I hear alot of good things about this light 

the asta 20. Not sure if you can control it like the Zetlight.  Sweet light for $50 ish

 

https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Asta-20-Dimmable-Freshwater/dp/B07236CXBQ/ref=asc_df_B07236CXBQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198072615033&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15589662508465957864&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008159&hvtargid=pla-541812080792&psc=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I already have one of the fluval lights that I got a great deal on used- it is fully controlled with my phone with timed daylight, moonlight, and full individual color spectrum control! I wish I could find another one used.

4 minutes ago, Tigahboy said:

Welcome to the contest!  

Thanks!

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5 hours ago, mariahranch said:

I’m still brand new to saltwater aquariums, having set up my first saltwater tank just after Christmas of 2018. I used to enjoy freshwater aquariums of various sizes but haven’t had one wet in at least ten years. Of course, I still had a bunch of various stuff lying around, including a few classic 2.5 gallon tanks! But after discussing the contest with the other half, he said I should get a rimless tank and some new supplies. So of course I’m not going to argue! Now if I’m allowed to make two entries, I’ll dig through all my ancient left-overs for a team jank entry too

 

I have ordered the aquamaxx 2.6 gallon aquarium from marine depot which is set to arrive on Wednesday. I’ve already received some  of the equipment which includes:

 

Neotherm 25w heater

Aquaclear 50 HOB filter

Autoaqua micro ATO (purchased for a different tank but since I saw this contest I’ll probably use on this tank)

 

I’ll post pics of the tank when it arrives!!!

6CC5A951-608B-43B1-BE66-F7A57831A5E5.jpeg

2DFCC179-3FF5-4778-8C1D-4AA4F94DBAA3.jpeg

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This looks like a solid start. I'm jelly of your Micro ATO...My ATO system is one of those big ugly float switches, and I've been looking at the Smart ATO Micro...

 

Glad to have another entry, welcome!!!!

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mariahranch

Well sadly the tank did not arrive on Wednesday due to a shipping delay and I had to wait until today to receive it! How frustrating when you have plans. Attached are some pics of the huge box, the great packaging, and my “ first draft “ on the aquascaping which is definitely not my strong point. spacer.pngspacer.pngspacer.pngspacer.pngspacer.png

 

I am undecided on the lighting, I may use the diy less in first set of pics or get another Fluval sea nano as in the last set of pics.

 

 I also “accidentally” sniped some eBay auctions for coral so I might have to put some in the tank sooner than planned. He he he

 

Comments appreciated

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mariahranch

Due to the ease of mounting and WiFi controls I went ahead and ordered a fluval nano for this tank. Now I’m stuck waiting till Wednesday when it arrives to start moving forward with the tank since I don’t have an extra light that I can mount on the tank. For now I placed a little desk lamp with daylight led as shown below so I can at least look at the tank.

 

The smart ato micro  is setup, which I’ve never used before so hopefully I won’t overflow anything.

 

I also decided to do an experiment and see if that lamp could support the worlds tiniest gsp frag that I just cut from one of my other pico tanks. I’ve attached a picture of that, too. The frag is still angry since it just got chopped!

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Hope the ATO works for ya! I'm going on day 3 of no real noticeable change in water volume, so hopefully I can just take care of it by hand once or twice a week

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mariahranch
1 hour ago, Tigahboy said:

Nice progress!  How do you like that Smart Micro ATO?  Thinking about getting that as well. 

 

I just set it up today, so I do t really know if I’ll like it enough to justify the expense. Will update back in a few days!

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