General pico questions..

[dieden]

I have never looked into a pico tank before, but it seams to be a possible solution to my current financial hurdles getting back into some form of a tank. I am, however, at a loss as to how one would keep parameters in check for such a small volume of water. I have not gotten to paruse the nano forums much, so if I ask questions explained in another thread I apologize.

Assuming I would be looking at 2-4 gallons

How do you determine flow rate in a nano?

What means of mechanical filtration are used?

How often/what percentage on water changes.

Are there nano skimmers?

What would be acceptable inhabitents ?

I would love to make the tank from scratch and am thinking of making a tiny closed loop, over flow, hood and everything.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I hope to start this shortly after the end of the month and have water in it by the end of the month.

 

[Krish]

Take a look at cwazy's thread http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55012 He's got a 1/2 gal pico setup. As for skimmers, yes they have them out there. I have an AquaC nano skimmer for my 10 gal I will be setting up thant hangs on the tank and is powered by a maxijet. The major difference with a small tank compared to one with alot more volume is stability. They are easily influenced by things such as temperature etc. Doesn't take much for things to go out of whack quickly. I know alot of people with pico's just set them up as tanks with nothing more than corals in it and maybe a few inverts. Where flow is concerned, a small maxijet or two should more than do the trick. That's all I'm starting with on my 10 gal. I do have a koralia incase it isn't enough, but in any event, here is my thread of my 10 gal to give you some ideas. Display area will only be about 8 gals because I added in an internal overflow to hide everything http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57551&page=4

 

[dieden]

I like the heat tape on the .5gal and I love how the paint makes your display pop. Deffinately going to incorporate those items. I even found a nano chiller :0.... These things are serious business! Where would be a good resource for plumbing parts small enough for a nano closed loop?

 

[Krish]

Well, you can buy your lockline from Premium Aquatics (they are a sponsor here). That's where I got mine as well as my small bulkheads. They have the strainers for the bulkheads as well for the suction. I'm sure you could get pvc small enough to work or you can possibly just buy barbed fittings and use some good quality hoses and use that for your plumbing. If you look at the last set of pictures I posted on my 10 gal thread, you will see the barbed fitting and hose I'm talking about.

Not sure if you saw this thread, but take a look at this nano. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57844

 

[dieden]

Looking at the following pump....
Is this in line with what I would be looking at? Tank will be 5.1g

http://www.nanoreefsupply.com/index.php?aquarium=detail&detail=72

 

[Krish]

Looking at the following pump....
Is this in line with what I would be looking at? Tank will be 5.1g

http://www.nanoreefsupply.com/index.php?aquarium=detail&detail=72

Not a bad little pump! So hard to say what will be enough flow till you have the tank up and running or atleast have it right infront of you. In my 10 gal if I just use the maxijets I will have roughly 600 gph of flow. If I add the Koralia it will be another 400 gph. I like the idea of atleast having 2 pumps...One for surface aggitation and the top portion of the tank and something a little lower to take care of the rest. 108 gph with the pump in your link might be a little on the low side IMO especially if you think about doing a small closed loop. Just my personal opinion though. You might be fine. Is this tank a standard 5 gal or custom?

 

[dieden]

Completely custom. Display will be 10x12x10h with a 2 1/2x10in overflow/equipment area on the back

 

[Krish]

Nice!! Not sure what to say on the pump though although it might quite possibly do the trick. If you are putting sand in there then you may not be able to add too much without creating a sand storm...

 

[dieden]

That's what I'm worried about.. I will have two of them on hand as a just in case, so worse come to worse I can run both. I don't know if I want to run an actual heater or heat tape, like that .5gal pico, and make a temp based controller.
Lighting is Another HUGE question. I want something visually attractive, but still effective. Cost will deffinately be a factor.

 

[Krish]

Yea, I don't know what they have out there these days for lighting for nano's. What do you want?? MH's, T-5, pc's?? I will be using a Current USA 70w HQI metal halide fixture which came with an Aquapod I once had. You might have to do some searching or see if anyone else chimes in on that one.

BTW, this is the skimmer I have that will hang on the tank http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/AQUAC-NANO.html

 

[Krish]

Take a look here. They have some LED lighting there as well as some other stuff. Might find something browsing the lighting section http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supply/reefbrite.html

 

[dieden]

Where would be a decent place for LED supplies so I can fab a light out instead of getting hit with a $100 price tag 

 

[Krish]

Where would be a decent place for LED supplies so I can fab a light out instead of getting hit with a $100 price tag 

Hmm...Not sure. Maybe start a thread in the lighting forum and see what replies you get

 

[keener1830]

Here is a good place to get your led supplies http://www.ledsupply.com/ And here is a really good link to building your own led system
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982
As far as water changes goes I pull 2 gallons a week out of my 7 gallon and was doing .5 gallons a week out of my 2.5 gal pico. Good luck there a fun tank to keep.

 

[dieden]

Is it OCD to aquascape the tank before you have fab'd it out?

Front

Right side

Left side

The cardboard is the footprint of the tank. It doesn't hang over in any way, but it sure is close!

 

[Krish]

Haha!! Looks good!!

 

[dieden]

Any idea if this kit would be suitable for a 12x10x10h display area.

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-38/06-Premium-LED-Do-dsh-It-dsh-Yourself/Detail


And would this skimmer be adequate for 5 gal?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=CU08100

 

[Skimmy]

that current skimmer is worthless.
i'd say this one is better...
http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Rio...Protein_Skimmers-TAAM-TA2111-FIPSHONW-vi.html

that's what's going on my 10x10x10, im planning on having a black piece of acrylic that fits on the back wall and comes out of the water 5" , i will then cut a long hole in it to accomodate the skimmer inlet and outlet, and clamp a small led light to the top edge of the black acrylic.

and that LED kit you posted will be plenty for that size tank...
dont forget the heat sink/fan!!

 

[dieden]

 got the heat sink, does that small of a set really need a fan?? I didn't want a hang on skimmer due to esthetics, but what skimmerwhisperer says goes that's like not taking lee's advice on a sick fish!

 

[dieden]

Pump, skimmer, and DIY led kit have been officially purchased. I got paid at midnight (thanks to direct deposit) and got home from work around 3:50am, but I surely had all three ordered before 4:15am  no, I'm not excited at all