Suggestions for a 2.5g Pico

[chujai]

the tank is a 8 x 8 x 13 tall

regular light bulb

i wanted to have about 4" of sand bed
and keep maybe some zoas or shrooms

can someone suggest what i should do for flow?

i do want to run this skimmerless as well. what do you think?

also i want to use this as lighting: coralife mini

let me know. thanks!

 

[circusordie16]

id keep the sand bed to a shallower depth, theres not really a need for anything deeper than what looks good. flow maybe get an ac20? thats what i have on my 2.5 gallon. skimmerless is the way to go, just keep it lightly stocked and do weekly water changes and youll be fine. as for the lighting, try to find a 20w version of that bulb, that will be much better for zoas and shrooms considering your tank is kinda deep.

 

[FishMachine]

incandecent bulbs at any watt cant support corals

 

[nano7joy]

GE makes 65k (Blue background on packaging)power compact bulbs that are the screw in type that could support some lower light needing softies and such. Have seen them a Wall Mart. Fellas around here are using them also for fuge lights. Would be worth checking out.

Flow well that looks like it could be a tougher nut to crack since It doesnt look like you could use a hang on back(HOB).

I have had pretty good luck using minijet pumps In addition to my HOB. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

youll also need a heater

looks like it wont be like all the others which in its self is a good thing. IS just gonna lake a little more time in the planning stages.

Good luck and have fun with it.

JJ

 

[chujai]

would i be better off using the GE lights than the ones from coralife?

only reason why i want a DSB is cause it will bring stuff closer to the light...

arnt there some mushrooms that are low low light creatures?

 

[GSMguy]

the coralife one has actinic so i think its better for colors but the GE will be brighter by a bit because no actinic in it.

 

[Dwarf Seahorses]

If you're looking for a mini pump the Tunze Mini 5024.04 is an awesome pump. I have had one running non-stop for 4 years (without cleaning it) and it still works like a charm. Gets great reviews everywhere as well.

Just don't get the 210.04 version (a little bigger I think) as it just doesn't have the wear and tear like the 5024.04

 

[cschwaj]

For the lighting... how about a 27 watt quad. They are only available in 6.7k (as far as I know) but have a very small footprint and decent output.

The easy way to get one is to buy a "natural light" desklamp that uses this bulb and gut the electronics. They generally come with the bulb and you can often steal the reflector as well. Obvoiusly, there is a ballast and cord, too. Places like Home Depot and Lowe's have them for around $20. Replacement bulbs are $10.

That is a funky tank. Have fun with it!

 

[nano7joy]

The Ge bulbs come in 40watts or more and about 8 bucks for two. I am pretty sure and The 10watters I use are very bright and a crisp white color IMHO.

 

[Rosseau]

You can always attach tubing of some sort to a powerhead and then send the flow from the bottom of the tank up... If you don't want to have a powerhead sitting in the bottom of your tank anyways. Cool tank though.