erbinone Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I was wondering what models are available and most sucessfull for Pico Reefing?? I already did a search and saw allot of Moon Glow Deco Art Mini Aquarium Nano Tank by Red Sea. What other are there up to 5 gal. tanks??? Please advice..... Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I've got a 1.6 ga acrylic hex - it's sold under different names in different stores. I purchased it under the name "Hexafun" about eight years ago from PetSmart. It is also available under the name "Aquatankplus" at Wal-mart. It's a good tank for a desktop, and the hood fits a small PC bulb nicely without modification. The downside of it is that it is a hexagonal tank, so there isn't as much real estate for equipment on the back wall. It's also a pretty small tank, so you can't do a whole lot of coral collecting. Link to comment
Superdave Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I've seen lots of people use a 2.5 all glass aquariums. They sell them at PetsMart. But maybe some people don't consider that a pico. I know there was some thread a while back about what is the 'cut-off' size for pico tanks. Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 22, 2005 Author Share Posted March 22, 2005 Dang, both sound good... I was just worried about filtration and lighting...I would prefer a cube tank rather than a hex. what filters do you use??? Stock or upgraded?? Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I don't use a filter, I have a powerhead and heater stuck to the back walls. I'm fragging some GSP to put on the powerhead, so in a few months I won't even see that it's there. My suggestion though, is go for the 2.5 glass - my only complaint is lack of room. Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 Sounds real good and I'm such a newby but... basically the powerhead just makes a current right?? What does the actual filtration?? Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 The powerhead just creates a current. There are other methods to create current in your tank, but the powerhead creates the most current. The filtration is all biological - Large particles settle and are eaten by crabs and scavengers. Smaller particles are also eaten by little invertebrates called copepods and/or amphipods that come in your liverock. Bacteria living in the liverock decompose anything left, producing Ammonia. Other bacteria convert the ammonia to nitrites, which are less toxic, and then more bacteria conver the nitrites to nitrates, wich are even less toxic. To get a better understanding of how this is established, check out this thread on starting up a faq for those new to reefing. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=42330 About 1/4 of the way through, Slaeyer wrote a comprehensive article on the first two months of a nano. The process is known as "cycling". Hope that helps Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 Wow, seems like that'll set me straight... Thanks! Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 I understand the filtration cycle now and I'm really looking forward into looking for something around the house or something real interesting to start a pico in. Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 I went to Tong's... WOW! Nice stuff! Link to comment
drg0nzo1 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 You could set one up in a goldfish bowl...kind of mundane as far as fish keeping but i've never seen a reef in one. Just go to Petsmart or Petco or something, look by the goldfish bowls and you can find all sorts of different things you can use as a tank. Link to comment
SarahVodka Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Red Sea Aqua Vase "Melody"...oh, so sweet! Link to comment
StinaUIUC Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I have 2 picos...one of the hex tanks that I modified the rim around the top very slightly (cut corners from the inside) to fit a small hob filter I got from Walmart (I wanted an external filter to keep as much equipment out of the water as possible! I have a 10 watt 50/50 coralife bulb over it. It's a fun little tank! The other "tank" is a fishbowl glass...lol I could give you details...but I gotta run! Link to comment
Brian da lion Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 ALIFE makes a 2 gallon glass cube that comes with a HOB filter and a 13w pc light for $50. Thats what I have. Link to comment
erbinone Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 Brian Da Lion... you got pics of your tank??? Link to comment
Brian da lion Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 You'd have to look in the member gallery under my name. Its the only pic i have. I'll try to get some new pics up. Link to comment
dhoffroad Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 if you got a little DIY in you get creative here is my pico bourbon glass pico Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.