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View Full Version : Not another nano, My Pico


br1anm
24-03-06, 00:08
After setting up a 2.5 gallon tank for the Nanoreef.com pico competition which has been extremely enjoyable I decided I needed a new tank on my desk at work.

Measuring approx 7x6x5 inches, approx 1 gallon

I found this aqua one tank gathering dust in a lfs and bought it and a small aqua one hob filter, this provides a good diffuse flow. Heating is by a small heater, no thermostat, lighting is a converted desk lamp, the 11w light removed and an interpet 18w power compact replacing it.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico2.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

It was set up using miracle mud as the substrate with live rock and water from my main tank. I then placed some caulerpa rock from my main tank sump into it for a couple of weeks and then returned it to the sump.

A few coral frags were introduced and I then left it alone to monitor evaporation and temperature changes.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico1.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico5.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

Topping up was with distilled water from a bottle every night and on Fridays I filled the tank as full as possible – not ideal.
In combination with this, the temperature change was too large varying between 20 and 29 degrees as a result of the lights, no thermostat and the lack of decent heating.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico3.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

I added an old peristaltic pump on a digital timer to add water twice a day and three times every third day, this has maintained the salinity. To control temperature I put the non controllable heater on a timer to switch off when the lights are on and overnight and at the weekends I place a small controllable heater into the tank.

br1anm
24-03-06, 00:12
I then introduced some more corals, branching rock / coral skeletons scrounged from lfs.
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico7.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com/)


Plenty of Zoos added and as i used old coral skeletons the structure is relatively open for good flow


http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico8.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico9.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

br1anm
24-03-06, 00:14
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico10.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico11.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico12.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico13.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

br1anm
24-03-06, 00:15
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico14.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico15.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico16.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico17.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

br1anm
24-03-06, 00:16
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico18.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/bpico19.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

Cheers
Brian

Snowsurfer
24-03-06, 11:30
Very interesting, its good to see what people can do with such small tanks :)

Thanks for sharing

BOXING SHRIMP
25-03-06, 15:49
well i'm about to strip down my 100g reef and i wasnt really looking forward to watching tv for the next two months while i get my new tank up and running but your nano has just given me the kick i needed to do something about it nice little tank you've created there mate from just a few spare bits and pieces now wheres my frags...:p

br1anm
25-03-06, 21:17
Thanks for the comments,
its great to take a minute and sit back at work and just relax watching the tank, in the next few weeks i will probably move one of my boxer crabs from my main tank into it. i have a single hermit and a turbo snail in there at the moment.
Cheers Brian


this is my other 2.5 gallon tank running in the nanoreef.com pico comp (nowhere near as good as the other entries but its more about the enjoyment of setting up! and watching it grow together)

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/pico 58.JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)