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Cowman345
03/10/2005, 12:31 AM
I can't believe the things I go through for this hobby...

In preparation for a new pico on my computer desk, I installed a GFCI outlet tonight (and I was successful! HOORAH! That's the good news
:D).

Bad news is my crappy power supply went on my Dell when I unplugged the powerstrip from the outlet in order to install the GFCI ( :mad2: ).

So I have my second computer hooked up in its place and at least I can connect to the internet, I'll have to get a new power supply tomorrow. Hope that's not too pricey.

I'm covered in dust, so I'm taking a shower but I'll post my plans for the tank in a few minutes.

Bear with me...

Jimsmowen
03/10/2005, 01:03 AM
I believe power supply for PC is like $20-25 ?

Cowman345
03/10/2005, 01:42 AM
That's good news... Thanks for the info.

Anyway, Here's the plan...

After being inspired by makoJ's pico, I bought a Red Sea Deco (Azoo?) "Melody" tank (about 1.5-2 gal empty) and a Current-USA SunPaq Satellite 18w 50/50 pc light with a cool little LED moonlight built in... very neat lights, and they fit perfectly atop the aquarium.

Picked up two Azoo tiny little HOB filters, and plan on running one with filter media, and the other with carbon for nice clear water, and probably phosban since I'd like to deal with as little algae as possible... Maybe I'll even throw some marco-algae in there to get what the phosban doesn't.

I'd like to have several little corals, maybe some zoos, a little piece of some sort of LPS (frogspawn, perhaps, something without real long sweeper tentacles), Shrooms, and I'd like to try my hand at some sort of SPS, I've never tried SPS before, so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

As far as fish/inverts, I'd like a few sexy shrimp, a porcelain crab, and a trimma goby (if i can find one/order one)... then just a hermit or two and a snail or two.

My priority is keeping a low-nutrient system, so I'm using LFS water to set up the tank (they have great water quality, not a speck of algae in any of their tanks believe it or not). This will prevent cycling (mostly, expecting a mini-cycle 2-3 days). I also have distilled water for topoff, and saltwater mixxed up with distilled water waiting for water changes (is it neccessary to keep saltwater aerated and/or heated?).

Here's a pic of the set up I have so far... I've layed down a couple towels to draw away any spillage, the towels hang down to a point below my power strip, so it won't drip on the electric if anything catastrophic (perhaps that's too strong a word for a 1gal system) happens.

http://www.davecollinsphoto.com/reef/fishtank1.jpg

What do you guys think... any suggestions?

loyalty
03/10/2005, 02:51 AM
i'm not really familiar with pico reefs, but thats a cool looking settup. best of luck with it, and i'll be following your progress

Jimsmowen
03/10/2005, 03:13 AM
I think makoJ's tank is inspiring!! I hope your tank turns out as good as if not better then this!

Really unique looking tank, best of luck!

Tom

skipm
03/10/2005, 12:19 PM
I looked at one of those tanks yesterday, I had no idea the light fixture would fit so neat on the tank though. Keep us posted.

TC3modena
03/10/2005, 04:21 PM
cant wait to see wut it looks like after you stock it.

Surfzup2k4
03/10/2005, 07:56 PM
crap man, thats great! I have been thinking about using that tank for a nano for a month or so now. :eek1: I think I will go that route. Did you buy your stuff online? Mind linking me if you did? Thanks!

Cowman345
03/11/2005, 01:10 AM
First here's some links for those interested:

Red Sea (Azoo?) Art Deco Aquariums (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8125&Ntt=deco&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=0&Nty=1)

Lights - Current-USA Satellite 18W (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01001): 50/50 PC w/really cool lunar LED light built in

Heater - Hydor Theo 25W (http://www.aquatichouse.com/Pumps_files/hydor%20heater.asp) : seems really good so far, i'm impressed with quality, we'll see how it does... It's nice and small at any rate.

Azoo Palm Filters (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9821&N=2004+22769)- only $6.50 and they're really cute.

Ok, now that that's out of the way, check this out! :eek2: I picked up these custom stands for the Satellite at my LFS (CurrentUSA part #1000). Now there's room for my heater and lids to the filters.

http://www.davecollinsphoto.com/reef/fishtank2.jpg

So my system is up and running, looking pretty good, though it's still a bit cloudy from rearranging the rocks in this photo. I don't really have any media in the filters yet but for a little carbon and some plain filter junk to get out the cloudiness from the sand.

I got about 3lbs of rock from my LFS today, and realized DUH that's way too much, so I lost a pound and have about 2lbs in there now. Had to break up the tonga cuz it's just too branchy. I've got it so there are lots of little caves for things to hang out in later on. I hate moving rock, so I wanted to get it right the first time. (note to self: who are you kidding, you know you'll rearrange it tomorrow).

LFS guy threw in some Grape Caulerpa which I broke in two rearranging.... no matter though. Just there to keep PO3 in check til I get my phosban in the mail.

I used LFS water to start this system, so I was hoping for no cycle. However, I can't make heads or tails of my Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Ammonia test. It turned out pale-blue instead of any shade of yellow or green... what the hell?! Anyway, there seems to be at least 50ppm Nitrites and Nitrates are OUT OF CONTROL, but we'll worry about that once cycle is stable... water changes should work wonders on this little system.

I saw a pod in there, but can't find it now that i've rearranged everything. sucks staring at an aquarium apparently devoid of life. but i don't want to add anything til levels stabilize. :twitch:

-dave-

CPT. MURPHY
03/11/2005, 02:19 AM
very cool :)

Surfzup2k4
03/11/2005, 09:06 AM
sweet, I'm going to do it, thanks for contributing to more money spending on my part :mad:

:o

Cowman345
03/11/2005, 01:58 PM
This hobby is contagious... deal with it :D

kite
03/11/2005, 07:29 PM
which style tank is that? there is no "melody"

im very intersted

Cowman345
03/11/2005, 09:06 PM
kite - it's a "melody" but some places call it a "rhythm" i think. they also say Red Sea makes it, but it says Azoo up in the corner on the front glass... anyone know if it's the same company?

-dave-

kite
03/11/2005, 10:10 PM
and im thinking of buying onE!

kite
03/11/2005, 10:14 PM
how many gallons is it?

Cowman345
03/12/2005, 02:20 AM
It's about 2 gallons (mine has 160oz of water in it which is about 1.25 gallons taking into account the sand and rocks).

-dave-

WantaBeReefer
03/12/2005, 08:42 PM
That is to cool. Please keep us posted on this. (5oz) water changes? hehe

Cowman345
03/12/2005, 09:05 PM
I was thinking bigger water changes, around 20oz or so... but still easy!

Jordan55
03/13/2005, 09:03 AM
Very cool. I have always wanted a little pico tank for my computer desk. Looks good and keep up the good work.

Cowman345
03/13/2005, 08:23 PM
Just tested my params,

Ammonia: 0.00
Nitrites: 0.00
Nitrates are inconclusive, the test I have is really hard for someone as color-blind as me to read.

So I'm headed to the LFS tomorrow to pick up a crab and snail or two and maybe some little coral frags. I'll have them test my water just to get a second opinion before I add anything though..


-dave-

HaKs310
03/14/2005, 12:31 AM
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8125&N=2004+2020

Cowman345
03/15/2005, 02:59 AM
This thread continues at:

Update to my Pico Tank (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=550483)

EmptyWallet
03/15/2005, 07:04 PM
Ok, now that that's out of the way, check this out! I picked up these custom stands for the Satellite at my LFS (CurrentUSA part #1000). Now there's room for my heater and lids to the filters.

I'm looking to do almost the exact same thing your doing. I'm however wondering what LFS is and can I order things online from them? I have a petstore here, however I doubt it's what would be good for finding that part. I googled for it but could not find it either.

HaKs310
03/15/2005, 09:01 PM
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp?pn=42901003&Current+USA+Satellite+Powercompact+Lights=&bhcd2=1110938654

http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/ordering/lighting_CU_Sat.html

Cowman345
03/15/2005, 09:04 PM
hey EmptyWallet... I accidentally ordered too many of those light "stilts"... if you want, I'll ship you the extras for 6 bucks (which is about what i paid, minus shipping.) e-mail me to let me know.

-dave-

EmptyWallet
03/15/2005, 11:16 PM
YGM!;) :D

Also, I was thinking of getting possibly this tank

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11426&ref=3055&subref=AB&N=2004+62759

Instead of the one you got. Now, I would imagine I'd need to change my light requirements and such since it's a bigger tank, or would that hood and stand thing you got for your smaller one still be sufficient?

EmptyWallet
03/16/2005, 12:24 AM
Edit, I just realized how small that deco-art tank is. It's probably no more than 1 gallon. That other tank I posted is an 8 gallon. Hmmmmmm. Of course I'd need to change things to go with that. I still want the stilt though in case i decide to go with that.

Cowman345
03/16/2005, 01:59 AM
well, you can still use the satellite on the deco tank, the legs are adjustable (as long as it's about 5-6 inches front to back). Otherwise, consider perhaps some clip-on lights?