JBJ PicoTope.........

[reefman13]

I decided against a 33 gallon cube as I will have a 50, and an 75/80/85 gallon reef cube. So maybe later I will setup a 33 cube in my room for Sea horse and a clown. But for now I decided to setup a Pico.

So here it goes..........
> As I have read, with small tanks it is very hard to keep the water level maintained correctly, so I was wondering what people use to keep the water level right.
> I am thinking of getting the coralife HOB 150W 14K lamp to light it as I plan to keep a few SPS.
> I am going to get a float switch so for fish I was thinking either Court Jester Goby, a firefish, or an Ocellaris clown.
> Corals- few SPS mainly Rics and Zoos
> Inverts- couple snails and shrimp (cleaner)....maybe even a clam?
> It will be BB and I was thinking about a HOB skimmer, but for now it would be an Aquaclear 70.

What is good? Bad? Anything I left out? Should I get some other stuff?

Thanks in advance.

[zma21]

That's some intense lighting for 3 gallons...

The firefish and clown will outgrow it fairly quick.

I don't know what size skimmers they make for that small...

[snulma1]

I think for a tank that size if you do fairly frequent water changes, you shouldn't need any supplements, and it will probably also take the place of a skimmer

[SugarFox03]

You realize that would be 50 watts per gallon? You'll probably cook anything in the tank.

No fish in a tank that small, not enough swimming room. I have a small glo fish (maybe an inch long) in a 2.5 gal tank with nothing but some fake plants (ie no rocks/corals in the way), and thats not nearly enough room for even that fish!

Don't need a skimmer on that small of a tank, and I believe many people who keep picos have it set up with an overflow (either drilled or hob) plumbed into a much larger sump, which helps keep water params more stable.

Good luck with it...

[circusordie16]

i just top off once or twice a day and my wataer level stays pretty constant but thats with a top and PCs so your gonna have some issues with the halide. id skip the skimmer and stick with regular water changes. id also skip any fish as once you get it filled with rock and coral you have very little open space for any fish to live happily.

[reefman13]

Wow, that was quick. I have decided against the halide and I am going to go with the Coralife 12 Inch Aqualight With 2-18W 50/50 Lamps Straight Pin Base. This I think is better and even with that light, with the amount of water it penitrates, I probably could still grow some SPS. I have no larger system to connect it to as it is going to be upstairs in my bed room.

If I was to do a sand bed, would the flow from the protien skimmer not blow the sand around? I need this to be a slightly-lesser time consuming tank, so water changes won't happen more than once a week. But 'circusordie16' how many times a day do you add water. Cuz I only have time to a quick addition in the morning and as many as needed in the afternoon?

Thanks for the comments guys. It has a DIY overflow that needs some minor repairs done, other wise it is fine. So what ever filter I have will be drawing water from the overflow.

[reefman13]

For a filter I am going to use a Fuval 105 (rated for 25g) with its intake in the over flow and out flow on the other side of the back. I don't think I'll be doing sand......

[circusordie16]

im growing monti caps under 18w in my 2.5 so you should deifnitely be able to get some growing under 36. i usually only need to top off once in the evening but in the summer or if im looking to keep things real stable ill do it once in the morning and again at night.

[snulma1]

If you are truly set on MH lights, you could go with a 70w clip on.