Office Tank on a Whim - 3gal Picotope
- Thread starter ange062
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ange062
New member
3 watts of light per gallon should be more than sufficient for lower light corals. I am successfully growing a clam and a bunch of SPS in my 3.75w/gal 28.
The tank comes with a small HOB filter, I don't have any plans to change it or run a skimmer at this time. I only plan on very easy to keep soft corals (zoas, rics, xenia, gsp) that will be fragged from my big tank and a very small bioload. Weekly 0.5gal water changes should keep everything in line.
Like what I am hearing so far. I really do not want to get into anything overly involved. I will be keeping an eye on your progress!
ange062
New member
After seeing water tests come back normal except for low pH (7.8) I brought in my hydrometer today to get the salinity. It was over 1.030!! No wonder the crabs weren't moving much. It wasn't from evap, I tested the water from the LFS (which I should have done from the start) and it was the same so it was just a hot batch.
I did a gradual water change over the past several hours with 3L of fresh RO/DI and got it down to 1.023. Crabs have already started moving around again.
I did a gradual water change over the past several hours with 3L of fresh RO/DI and got it down to 1.023. Crabs have already started moving around again.
Bunnylicked
New member
Wow - SPS and clams with less than 4 WPG? I've been told that my tank couldn't have hard coral with an 8 WPG light. :spin2:
The stock Picotope light isn't very good. In addition to only being 9 watts, it has nothing protecting the bulb, so salt creep and rust end up being a problem really quickly. I'm quite happy (as are my corals) with my 24w Odyssea PC. It's cheap ($30) and comes with a nice 50/50 bulb. I'm growing SPS at the bottom of the tank with it. You don't need to upgrade the light now, but it's something to consider.
What plans do you have for inverts and fish? Just curious.
ange062
New member
Wow - SPS and clams with less than 4 WPG? I've been told that my tank couldn't have hard coral with an 8 WPG light. :spin2:
The stock Picotope light isn't very good. In addition to only being 9 watts, it has nothing protecting the bulb, so salt creep and rust end up being a problem really quickly. I'm quite happy (as are my corals) with my 24w Odyssea PC. It's cheap ($30) and comes with a nice 50/50 bulb. I'm growing SPS at the bottom of the tank with it. You don't need to upgrade the light now, but it's something to consider.
What plans do you have for inverts and fish? Just curious.
Someone lied to you bud... ;-) Check out my other build thread in my sig, it has been up for 8 months with great success so far on clam and multiple SPS.
I've heard about longevity issues with the stock fixture, I plan to replace it once it goes bad but not before.
Right now stocking plans are:
* 4 small hermit hitchhikers
* couple small astrea
* couple small nassarius
* small clown (torn on picasso or maroon)
* small fireshrimp
Other then that just softies fragged outta the big tank.
toofrigginswt
New member
Cool little tank. I would probably just leave a 1 gallon bottle of RO water inside my desk for easy top off.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
usatennisfan
New member
I have a particular liking for naked clowns.
ange062
New member
Thanks! I currently have a 1g bottle of both salt and fresh at the desk, plus a 16oz cup for water changes. I think I am set! Hopefully at least...
ange062
New member
I made a few additions this week. A couple of days back I was trimming some macro and xenia out of the big tank, and instead of throwing it away I figured I would throw it in the little tank! The xenia is starting to open up a little, but has a long way to go.
I also added a small maroon clown and fireshrimp! That's it for livestock for me (obviously). Before anyone hates on the maroon, I have an exchange program setup with the LFS. Once he outgrows this tank, he will find a bigger home and be replaced with a new baby nemo.
Still planning to frag some GSP out of the big tank, and have been looking around for cool looking zoa's to start the zoa garden.
And finally, pics!!
Shrimpy:
Maroon (callin him Reveille after the Aggie mascot):
FTS:
I also added a small maroon clown and fireshrimp! That's it for livestock for me (obviously). Before anyone hates on the maroon, I have an exchange program setup with the LFS. Once he outgrows this tank, he will find a bigger home and be replaced with a new baby nemo.
Still planning to frag some GSP out of the big tank, and have been looking around for cool looking zoa's to start the zoa garden.
And finally, pics!!
Shrimpy:
Maroon (callin him Reveille after the Aggie mascot):
FTS:
Hyperion1337
Active member
Wow looks good!
toofrigginswt
New member
Looking good!
teddyzaper
New member
what is the decoration?!?! ive been trying to find out for like 5 min now.....
john miller
New member
Upper left and right corners, palm trees. Which are awesome BTW.
teddyzaper
New member
oh, ok. i was looking at the other pics which had them in it too 
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