Jnam's JBJ Picotope of softies (maybe some LPS and SPS...) - Aquarium Advice

Jnam · 10-27-2009, 02:31 PM

I started this tank end of september, the cycle is long gone so is the diatom bloom. I have a 55 gallon AIO reef tank that I built and wanted to try my hand at the sub Nano category. JBJ makes a fantastic bowfront glass tank they call it a picotope and it comes with a stock 9w 50/50 bulb and a little nano HOB.

I changed a few things from stock but here is the list
JBJ 3 Gallon Picotope
AC50 modified into a fuge
Toms aqualifter for the DIY ATO
24W Power Compact with a 50/50 bulb
DIY Moon LEDs
50w visitherm stealth heater
80GPH fountain pump (sp.?) for a little added flow
Stock Picotope 9w PC light with a 6700K bulb(macro light)

Stock list
3lbs LR
1lbs LS sugar fine white

6 different morphso of Zoas
4 Shrooms
A little frag of montipora digitata

CUC
2 Blue legs
4 dwarf ceriths
and who knows what else came with the LR from the 55 gallon

Here is the journey thus far.
The pics are mostly in order:

Freshwater test the stock light is actually not too bad

Cycling on 09-30ish

The scape still sporting the 9W

With the new light and a nasty diatom bloom

A nice shot of the DIY ATO and my modded HOB

Top down of the ATO

I am going to put up some more current shots with livestock and growth later this evening. Let me know what you guys think.

I plan on drawing out the schematic for the ATO its very simple in design but works great!

The HOB mod was easy as well I am running a golf ball of Cheato in there along with the heater.

joy13 · 10-27-2009, 02:36 PM

Your tank is looking great already.
What is the plans for stocking?
Are you running a separate light on your fuge?

Jnam · 10-27-2009, 02:38 PM

Forgot and a random hitchhiker GSP and Pulsing xenia

Jnam · 10-27-2009, 02:44 PM

Yes the Picotopes stock light with a 6700k bulb in it is on the fuge. I need to isolate the light though from the display, at night it bleeds through a little. The coraline seems to love it but it messes up the moon light look.

Stocking will be mostly Z's and P's and Shrooms with a few descreet SPS and LPS maybe an ACAN Lord on the higher ledge and a Monti cap I dont know as far as fish I have a clown goby ready to go in just have to catch him... And then I was thinking like 5 sexy shrimp.

joy13 · 10-27-2009, 02:47 PM

Sexy shrimp will look great in that small of tank. Good luck catching the clown goby.

Etunes · 10-27-2009, 02:48 PM

good job, i believe i can already tell what kind of mod you did with the HOB filter.

Also you are planning on putting pulsing Xenia in that tank? It will be takin over.

Jnam · 10-28-2009, 02:13 AM

Xenia was a hitch hiker not a plan, i thought i had scraped it all off but even the littlest pink booger will turn into a stalk luckily its easy to kill in the tank. take a litte lemon juice and a syringe. Good bye xenia...

Jnam · 10-28-2009, 12:37 PM

PICS!!!

FTS 10/28/2009

SAME

Zoas on the left

Mushrooms on the right you can also see the xenia and gsp HH

Some tubs i am trying to save the melted durring shipping

Monti Digitata

Can you ID these Zoos? they are only about 3mm accross

Let me know what you guys think

joy13 · 10-28-2009, 12:48 PM

It is really starting to take shape, I really like the mushrooms.

newfound77951 · 10-28-2009, 04:20 PM

Looks fantastic. Can't wait to see how it does for you. Where do you have the tank? I have a small (7g) bowfront tank that I'd love to set up like this but I'm worried about climate control in my house.