RDA's 1.2 Pico

[Chowder's Reef]

I have a confession; another pico reef is on it's way. 😅

 

Life has been absolutely nuts for me right now, some would call it "chaotic"😉. Even still, ever since I tore down my 365 dropoff tank I've been on the hunt for a small replacement. To scratch that itch 😅. I've been eyeing Lifegard Aquatics' new "Elevated" series aquariums since they were announced earlier this year, and the smallest of the bunch really peaked my interest. (What can I say? I'm a sucker for small AIOs). With Marine Depot having their Black Friday sale and spending weeks trying to ignore a painfully empty corner on my desk in my office at home, I finally said to myself, "it's time." 

 

EQUIPMENT:

Tank: Lifegard Elevated 1.2 gallon AIO

Return Pump: Quiet One 200 (stock pump)

Heater: Topfin 20w preset 

Lighting: Luminie Asta 20

ATO: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite

 

LIVESTOCK:

Coral:

• Purple tip hammer (probably a "frammer")
• Orange Rainbow Acan
• Misc. orange and green Acan
• Yellow Brick Road Zoas
• Orange zoas (name??)
• "Japanese Deepwater Zoas" (got them for their color not for the name 😉 )
• Solar Flare Zoas
• GSP

 

Fish:

• None currently

 

FTS 05/09/2021

 

 

I've had a bit of time to think about how I'm going to go about piecing all of this together during a small trip my wife and I took up to Oregon recently (beautiful drive) to pick up our new furry friend, but I'm still on the fence about some things. I have several ideas in mind, but I think either way I'll be leaving the bottom bare to take advantage of the lifted glass bottom of this tank. I'm also scheming a new return nozzle layout given the peculiar design of this system. I was thinking about just getting an RFG nozzle, but heck I have a 3D printer; I've been wanting to try some return nozzle designs of my own so this will probably become a testbed for that. I've also ordered a dc650 return pump from Reefbreeders as I want more flow and more control; SPS coral is a curiosity for this tank. Although we'll have to see if the overflow can take it (hopefully a design flaw from the other crystal series aquariums that was corrected). I'll keep you all posted on how it comes together in the coming weeks. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Apollo, our new Alaskan Klee Kai 😁

 

 

 

 

 

 

[debbeach13]

Good luck with the new tank. That pup is adorable. Hi Apollo welcome home.

[PicoSavvy]

I was given one 2 weeks ago by a family member who is into the freshwater side of things and knows that I like small pico. It will be going on my nightstand. 

[Chowder's Reef]

7 hours ago, PicoSavvy said:

I was given one 2 weeks ago by a family member who is into the freshwater side of things and knows that I like small pico. It will be going on my nightstand.

Nice! Haha let the 1.2 club begin!

 

[I'm Batman]

7 hours ago, PicoSavvy said:

 

I was given one 2 weeks ago by a family member

 

Wow that’s awesome!! My family knows I’m a reefer they just say “woa cool tank. So those coral things are alive?”

 

I looked these up on Marine Depot after RDA’s post. Interesting concept. The floating look is interesting. 

[PicoSavvy]

I am down for a 1.2 club lol. I was considering putting some RGB lights on the bottom of it, I don't know why but I think it would look neat. Compare to my other hobbies reefing takes up the least amount of space so I am guessing that is why the family is supportive of it.

[Chowder's Reef]

2 hours ago, I'm Batman said:

So those coral things are alive?

[Chowder's Reef]

@PicoSavvy Haha. It's going to be a pretty exclusive club seeing that there are only two of us.....for now 😈😆

 

I actually had that same thought lol. I think being on your nightstand it would look kind of neat with an underglow.

[Chowder's Reef]

Huh....I wonder what this could be? 🤔

 

[DPRoberts]

I just got one of these too! I haven't set it up yet because I can't figure out what light to try. I'm also leaning towards the Asta 20, but I'm not 100% set on that. Right now I'm wondering if the light from a Mini Complete tank will grow anything.

[PicoSavvy]

@The Rainy Day Aquarium the club is growing now we have 3 members. LoL

[Chowder's Reef]

3 hours ago, DPRoberts said:

I just got one of these too! I haven't set it up yet because I can't figure out what light to try. I'm also leaning towards the Asta 20, but I'm not 100% set on that. Right now I'm wondering if the light from a Mini Complete tank will grow anything.

Nice! I think the Mini Complete tank light will grow softies just fine! I like the Asta 20 as it isn't TOO bulky on a small tank such as this one, is a pretty punchy light for the price, and it has a decent shimmer to it.

[Chowder's Reef]

1 hour ago, PicoSavvy said:

@The Rainy Day Aquarium the club is growing now we have  members. LoL

Haha yessssssss the following has begun! I think 3 members is enough to start a new thread right? Sure it is! 😂

[Chowder's Reef]

It's a good night to plan an aquascape and play with some rocks 😁 Also I have become a really big fan of Aquamaxx's Reef Welder for these small rock scapes. 

 

 

[IceParrot]

Wow that picture really shows it’s size. I didn’t know it was that small! 

[Chowder's Reef]

The product of last night. The hardscape isn't perfect, but I like it 😊

 

[I'm Batman]

Very nice!! Looks like you hung a picture too!

[Chowder's Reef]

8 hours ago, I'm Batman said:

Very nice!! Looks like you hung a picture too!

Thank you!

Haha yeah I got that painting a while ago, it reminds me of the pier next to where I once lived in a small town called Gela in Sicilia. I just got around to hanging pictures in our new home. Took me long enough 😅

[sr2z]

Now that tank looks NEAT! I definitely must set up a 1,2 pico sometime, those tanks are just adorable... And so cheap to do a 90% WC weekly 🤪

I´m following this thread! 👍

[SaltyGallon]

Super cool! Glad you're back in the little tank business haha 🙂

 

What are you thinking for stock?

[Chowder's Reef]

On 11/30/2020 at 12:34 AM, sr2z said:

Now that tank looks NEAT! I definitely must set up a 1,2 pico sometime, those tanks are just adorable... And so cheap to do a 90% WC weekly 🤪

I´m following this thread! 👍

It is a cute little tank for sure! Water changes are going to be pretty great as well 😉

[Chowder's Reef]

16 hours ago, SaltyGallon said:

Super cool! Glad you're back in the little tank business haha 🙂

 

What are you thinking for stock?

Thank you! Haha me too! 

 

I am thinking mixed reef. But as to what is still tricky because I need to take more seriously into account growth habits of corals. I think a pair of griessingeri gobies would be really fun in a tank like this too😁 but other than that not much lol.

[Leo_ian]

ooh def gonna follow

[Chowder's Reef]

Okay just a super quick update.

Got all of my equipment together and ready to go. I'm just waiting on 3D printed parts. aka Autodesk is being VERY particular about how I design things😒

 

Hopefully I'll have a proper update with details, photos and such here next week! 

[Daniel92481]

Just seen these little tanks today at marine depot. Looks great man! Makes the 4.1 look like a monster haha 👍🏼