2.5 Gallon Pico Need help

[EmergencyRn]

Been away from reefing for about 9 months and missing it bad. So i am starting a Pico Reef tank until i can get my 46G bowfront back up and running.

Setup
2.5 AGA
25 Watt heater
Aqua Clear 30 (150gph)
13 watt PC.

Gonna be between my living room and kitchen.
Wet test with equipment.

Questions for you guys

1. How deep should the sandbed be in a pico tank?
2. Does my aqua clear 30 at 150gph provide enough water movement? Or should i put a small powerhead in there.


Coming soon.

12" Dual Satellite 2x18W SunPaq w/Light (Current)
4lb of LR.
Paint back of aquarium colbalt blue.

Any help with appreciated.

 

[circusordie16]

looks good so far. the filter by itself should be enough, im running it on its lowest setting and its doing good. id say make the sand bed just a half inch deep or so. just enough to make it visually pleasing because theres no room to create a functional sandbed.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

1. How deep should the sandbed be in a pico tank?

whatever you want it to be. I would probably only do an inch tops personally.

2. Does my aqua clear 30 at 150gph provide enough water movement? Or should i put a small powerhead in there.

that should be plenty. I got a whisper 20 on my 3g pico and i think thats just slightly under what i need

 

[EmergencyRn]

One more question. The Aqua Clear 30 has 3 filter method. Should i leave the filtration in place or make some changes.

Current :
1. Mechanical: Foam filter
2. Chemical: Activated Carbon insert
3. Biological: Biomax ceramic rings.

once i add the LR i am planning on throwing in bag of PhosBan.

Thanks again guys.

 

[cschwaj]

I have an AC20 on my AGA 2.5. I run the foam and the half bag of Chemi-Pure. Works well but the faom needs to be cleaned weekly and replaced about every 3 weeks.

Also, my AC20 is plenty of flow by itself running at about 1/2 to 3/4 capacity.

 

[Avalanche1201]

for sand Id go no more then 1". As for the rings, i suggest getting rid of them

 

[circusordie16]

i just have live rock rubble in my filter. keep the sponge and carbon if you want but toss the rings.

 

[EmergencyRn]

I will take out the rings. Should i add a bag of Phosban for couple weeks or more then put LR fragments in there.

 

[EmergencyRn]

Update Pic.

Just finished painting the back of the aquarium.

 

[EmergencyRn]

Done for the day. Paint is dry and everything is setup again. Tomorrow plan to add substrate, 4lb LR, Chemi-pure and Phosban. And start the cycle.

 

[cschwaj]

In the 2nd to last pic, you have the light on the eggcrate. That is probably a very good idea to get as much light in there as possible. That is, assuming, that you can keep the water and salt creep off of it.

Also, with the smaller light, you can cover the remaining area with a piece of acrylic to reduce evaporation.

 

[EmergencyRn]

Update this morning.

Update this morning.

Just added LR and arag-alive substrate. How do you like my aquascaping.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Looks good! Keep in mind that with the LR touching the sides of the tank, it'll be hard to completely clean off the coraline that will eventually grow. I don't scrape the back or sides of my 2.5, so it's all covered in coraline.

Have you considered stuffing the heatrer into the HOB filter? OR possibly moving the LR forward a bit to stuff the heater down' behind the LR?

Paint looks fantastic BTW. :thumbsup:

 

[Nanomaniac]

In my opinion the tank looks great. What are your plans as far as livestock is concerned?

I ran a little 2.5g pico for quite a while before I upgraded to a lager tank. If you have any more questions just ask.

 

[EmergencyRn]

I plan on not having much livestock. Bunch of zoos and mushrooms. Maybe a small fish. Not sure, maybe no fish. Considering a flamming scallop, but have to research if can be in pico, and wondering how big they get.

i considered putting my heater in AquaClear. i bought a 30 because the back opens into my kitchen and i didnt want a large box hanging over my sink. I might hide the heater behind the rocks.

Thanks guys,

 

[cschwaj]

A flame scallop will slowly starve to death in this tank.

I like the rockwork and agree with the "bury the heater" comment.

It looks good. Keep it up!

 

[EmergencyRn]

Tank update

I guess my cycle has started. Heater moved behind the rocks.

Water parameters:
CA 420
PH 8.1
Amm .3
Nitrate 10
Nitrite .3
KH 340
Phos .5
temp 79.9
SG 1.028

Did a small water change to lower SG. Now 1.025

 

[EmergencyRn]

Error in reportig my KH. KH is 17dKH. Is my alk high because my SG was high? Anyone know?

 

[Rosseau]

My Flame Scallop lasted 4 months in a 10G with a 10G sump.... I dose with phytoplankton and barely run a skimmer.... The scallop was looking great, active, always open and then overnight decided to throw in the towel. Starvation...


It looked awesome though, instant cheap colour for the tank.... sooo.... ethics? and is $10 for a scallop worth 4 months of looking at it for you?

 

[EmergencyRn]

Why is the flamming scallop so hard to keep alive. What do they eat. I do love the instant color, but dont want to kill a beautiful animal like that just for color.