Pico tank question-WTB Light

[ashtree68]

I'm going to be getting a 5 gallon tank, and want to turn it into a pico tank. I've everything I need for it except for a light, does anyone have a light I can use for it, plus any information you have would be nice, I plan to mainly keep zoas and maybe some kenya trees. Any information/tip would be great, I know keeping up with husbandry is a must, making sure that all the levels are check but anything else would be great.

Thanks!

 

[Bulldog0407]

I ran a coralife 40 watt 50/50 pc on my 5.5gal pico. Great light for zoas, shrooms, and leathers. Dont have it anymore but if you do get it I have a attinic that fits it still.

 

[ashtree68]

Did you ha ve any problems with your tank at all? Any suggestions about keeping it?

 

[Caragol]

I used a 20w 50/50 Coralife bulb (screws into a regular socket) and made my own hood over a 2.5. The bulbs are $10 on auction sites and some websites. This worked well, for 5 gallons I dunno. But water topoffs are 1 gallon changes weekly will give you a great looking tank. Don't add fish, crabs, or larger snails (astrea) if you can stand it, the collonistas and stomatellas that show up on live rock should be sufficient.

 

[fastandsneaky]

small gobies are okay too. I've had a 3g pico with a yellow clown goby for a few months and then moved it a 6g NC.

I have a 12" Current USA 2x18w light. Only problem its short for the tank, and it has a broken leg. If you had spare acrylic pieces you can make it work, I did it with a 5g AGA tank but freshwater with it too.

I also have a 3g pico, if you havent gotten that 5g aga tank.

I think they sell the legs alone at some online places.

 

[fastandsneaky]

TBH, I dont think its worth the hassle. Picos/Nanos seems cool and other sites have lots of people making it look fun and cute, but its a lot of work. You have to be on top of tops offs, since the salinity can change in less than a day even in hours. On top of that the temp swings are ridiculous, and if you want to pay for a nano chiller, itll cost more than the set-up. For the 3g pico, I didnt have ATO so I had to top it off in the mornings when I woke up and at night before I went to bed. For a little bit more, you can get a bigger tank, even though you already have. For example, Aqueon 10 gallon tank is the same cost as a Aqueon 5.5g.

 

[ashtree68]

Do you have and pictures of the light? How much/will it work to grow softies?

 

[fastandsneaky]

the tank had zoas/palys/rics/duncan/frogspawn. The 6g NC has less light lol than the fixture and i used it on a 3g picotope. i will try and get a pic later todaty.

 

[Bulldog0407]

I agree with fastandfreaky I moved up to a 30 gal.

 

[justkidding86]

That 2x18 light would be perfect for softies. If you get worried about topping off just buy an ATO then I can become a weekly thing to do with a water change. Check out nano-reef they got loads of articles about lighting for nano/pico tanks. Don't let these guys get you down it is actually very easy to keep a pico tank. Everyday I clean the glass with my nano-mag and every week I do a 1 gallon water change and fill my ATO reservoir. And that all there is to it.

 

[pgibson]

I Have a 20 inch current pc 2 x 40 watt available .

 

[ashtree68]

How much?

 

[DragonFish]

Oh they're not that hard! I had a 2.5 gallon pico on my desk at work for years that won a contest over at the nano site. Here's an old pic of it;

Yes, you do have to keep up with the water top off, but 1/2 gallon a day isn't too hard

 

[ashtree68]

I'm going to try it with frags from my other tank and if it starts to be too much or things start to die I'll move them back but it'll be neat if it works.

 

[fastandsneaky]

never said it was hard lol just a hassle. I realized after I finished my 3g Pictope with the ac70 fuge and currentusa 36w light, wood air stone skimmer, etc, I could have made a decent 10g or 20g long lol with much more ease as in stability.