Ragby's Office EcoPico

[Ragby]

Following in the footsteps of SkullV and others, I've decided to bring the hobby to work because I'm here more than I'm home. My wife bought me an EcoPico for my birthday upon request. I looked into the different 5-10 gallon options out there and settled on the EcoPico because I work in a very corporate environment and it matched the aesthetic. If I were doing this at home, I'd probably go with a PicoAquarium Mantaray or something like that, but for my office, the EcoPico is just right. I plan on keeping pretty hardy inhabitants (softies, not SPS) and a goby, so I'm not too worried about having a chamber or more room to work with.

I'm starting with the basic package: the tank, 3 LED strips (each contain 2 white leds and 1 Blue led), and the stock pump/filter.

In terms of lighting, I think the 9 LEDs should be fine for softies. Time will tell if I need to get another couple strips. In general, the light appears more purple than I expected.

Others warned me that the stock pump/filter is junk and I completely agree. I'm using it for the cycle, but plan on replacing it with a Hydor Nano soon. I'll let the rock and sand take care of the filtration.

I don't have a heater. The building stays room temp at all times, so I'm not too worried about temp fluctuations. I don't use a heater at home on my Solana either. If this proves problematic, I'll get something like the Fluval edge heater.

I'm on the fence about the external Pico filter that I've seen others use. On the one hand, I definitely see how it would help with surface skimming and oxygenation. On the other hand, I'm worried it'll be an eyesore.

Every floor of my building has a giant water filtration machine, which includes RO, so I'm good for make-up water.

I used the remaining live sand and some rock from my 92 gallon tank. I love the look of deep sand beds, and I can't imagine it'll hurt to raise the corals up a bit from the bottom of the tank. I used a couple of pieces of Tonga branch to create a nice little island. For the first time ever, I'm very pleased about my aquascape.

I just set it up yesterday, so no livestock yet, but without further ado...

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[Lpabsolute]

Cool looking tank. I would get a small air stone in the tank to break up the surface scum. you can place a small one right below the surface so not to be to noticeable. What do you plan on keeping in the tank?

 

[Ragby]

I would get a small air stone in the tank to break up the surface scum. you can place a small one right below the surface so not to be to noticeable.

I'll probably get the Azoo palm filter if surface skimming or oxygenation becomes an issue.

What do you plan on keeping in the tank?

I'm thinking some shrooms, kenyas, gorgonians and things like that. I don't plan on keeping anything requiring pristine water conditions or too much light, but just some stuff that will take to the rock with some color. I might decide on one coral and let it just take over -- kinda fits the minimalist theme.

In terms of fish, I'm not sure. I have a pink bar goby and two baby clarkii's at home in a ten gallon qt. They'd probably be fine in here because they barely utilize the ten gallon. They all huddle together in one place all day. I'm leaning towards leaving the clarkiis at home and just bringing the goby. My only concern is that the goby was very anti-social till I added the clowns and I'd hate to break up the three super-friends.