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

[Jnam]

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]

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

 

[Jnam]

Forgot and a random hitchhiker GSP and Pulsing xenia

 

[Jnam]

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]

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

 

[Etunes]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[newfound77951]

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.

 

[melosu58]

Looking pretty good. I stopped ID`ing Zoo`s when I found out each type has about twenty different names. Most common names that they have are made up names by individuals anyway.

 

[Jnam]

Mine is in our bonus room, our house is fairly new contruction. The biggest issue honestly is heat. I used a friends reefkeeper to track daily temp swings, when I had a larger 100w heater in the tank temps seemed stable but really were not. Once the heater cut off at its predetermined temp the water would continue to heat up since the element was still hot. And because of the larger size it took much longer to cool down. I maintain the temp right at 79 now with out any issues (verified with a RKE) Evap in this tank is what is crazy thats why I HAD to have an ATO. I go through about a gallon in a week of FW. The FW is room temp (about 72) when it hits the tank, which is roughly every hour. This helps in regulating the temp as well (i am totally guessing at that) Is your house warm or cold? if its cool then you really shouldnt have issues.

I SAY DO IT! Sub 10 gallon reefs are fun and the gratifcation from grow out is much quicker. Water quality is important too and usually the hardest part with a pico IMO. For instance once I start trying out the SPS and LPS I will most certainly have to dose for Calcium PWC's just wont keep up with such a small volume (also why I did the ATO)

DO IT!

 

[Jnam]

Looking pretty good. I stopped ID`ing Zoo`s when I found out each type has about twenty different names. Most common names that they have are made up names by individuals anyway.

Me too... I like them though. The picture doesnt show it well but they have pink centers with yellow skirts and orange mouths... ZOAID doesnt have anything on em... Oh well

 

[newfound77951]

the house is cool in the winter but warm in the summer...which is what worries me. I don't see justifying a chiller for a 7g tank!

 

[Jnam]

DIY CHILLER!! I have an idea for one... actually 3 ideas.

 

[Jnam]

THE ATO Plans

 

[Jnam]

Temps seem stable now, ATO working like a champ exciting coral order should be here shortly! I hope they make it... Its been pretty cold here lately

 

[mcgrady7761]

update.

 

[Jnam]

I have some new pics, and some new softies. I received a nice big ric and some yumas they are filling in nicely. The tank looks wonderful, i also ordered a moonlight and the nightime colors are way cool. I will post pics soon. ATO has been working flawlessly i couldnt be happier.

 

[joy13]

Waiting for pictures.