3 Gallon Invert Pico!

A

Argent

New member
Well my first attempt at an all invert 3 gallon pico has started.

I picked up some Tahitian Moon sand and 2.5 pounds of Fiji LR and it's going in to my Eclipse 3 gallon tank.

This will eventually be placed at my desk at work (more pics will follow after I get it set up there)

The LR isn't completely cured yet, was told I have another 2-3 weeks for it to finish so in the meantime - I'll just tell people at work that it's my pet aquatic rock.

Here are some pics taken today....

My old setup -- cleaned and ready to go
]http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/Picture 202 (Medium).jpg

The empty tank awaiting sand and rocks!
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/Picture 203 (Medium).jpg

Sand, LR and 1.5 gallons of salt water added with the 50watt heater.
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/Picture 204 (Medium).jpg

The stock eclipse filtration system with the intake pipe raised to help keep sand out of the motor.
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/Picture 205 (Medium).jpg

And the rest of my saltwater -- ready to be hauled in to work on Monday.
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/Picture 206 (Medium).jpg

The plans are for various crabs and snails with possibly a shrimp or two. Not sure just how much stuff I can put in here (or what might come out of my LR yet) But since I have plenty of time to wait I can worry about that later. I also was thinking of replacing the stock filtration setup with something like a microjet pump and maybe a duckbill. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Wish me luck! and I'll keep updating this as it gets established.
 
Hrmm add them snails and hermits! I love inverts... if you get lucky you can find some really cool ones, especially in the family of porcelin crabs... anywho I would still put a small small fish in there... a relatively inexpensive one just incase he gets eaten... let the tank cycle first!
 
still need to get some testing kits so I can figure out when my cycle ends -- I've seen a few things moving around, and found a few things that have died as well (hopefully not from my water conditions but through the natural die off phase) I'm guessing I'll need to wait until it's done with it's cycle before adding even snails and hermits?

I've also since replaced the stock eclipse pump with an Elite Mini pump/filter built for tanks up to 3 gallons -- it gives me WAY more water circulation now. I also pulled the heater out since the tanks been staying stable at about 78-82 -- if I notice it starting to get cooler during the day I'll put it back in.

I was looking at some sort of porcelain crab besides the standard hermits and snails...maybe a sally lightfoot or an emerald crab as well. As far as small fish -- I was trying to avoid putting one in, but I could probably get a small goby for the tank.
 
Broke down -- bought 2 more pounds of LR and added it today -- already spotted a brittle starfish and some sort of coral polyp hitchhiking on the new stuff already. I'll try and get some pics tomorrow.
 
Here's a new full tank shot now with 4.5# of Fiji LR
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/100_1466 (Medium).JPG

And on the newest stuff -- I noticed an unknown hitchiker! He hasn't opened up much so it's hard to see what it is.
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/100_1468 (Medium).JPG

Also (and I take this as a good sign?) I've noticed a couple featherduster type things sticking their heads out of the rock now too.
http://www.dodgemotorsports.com/images/paul/aquarium/PicoReef/featherduster.jpg
 
Finally got my test kit -- tank has been up almost 2 weeks.

PH: 8.0-8.1
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm

Think I'm getting close to the end of my cycle! Soon it will be time to add some critters!
 
im not a big fan of black sand, BUT i think it looks good
good params too. looks like everything is going in ur favore
 
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