Three gallon desktop with pistol + goby pair.

[BecomesOcean]

Finally got some pics of my companion at work - my 3 gallon Oscar Enterprises acrylic "Deco" aquarium. It came with an 18w 50/50 bulb and the really strong HOB filter. Would be the best kit ever if it were only glass. Been going for almost three months. I've maxed out my bioload - see if you can spot the three fish in the picture.

http://saltbucket.com/d/9601-2/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+008.jpg (http://saltbucket.com/d/9599-1/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+008.jpg)

Here's my newest pieces of bioload, Ra'ad and Roscoe. Looks like they're two heads from the same animal. They're so named cos Roscoe sounds like someone that would carry a pistol around with him and Ra'ad is the Arabic word for thunder. I'm too clever sometimes. Added them yesterday and they paired up in all of 30 seconds.

http://saltbucket.com/d/9598-2/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+003.jpg (http://saltbucket.com/d/9596-1/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+003.jpg)

Here's a shot with the now lone sexy shrimp (had two more but took them out cos they ate up too much mucus from the LPS and xenia and were hurting them) with Roscoe in the background.

http://saltbucket.com/d/9604-2/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+002.jpg (http://saltbucket.com/d/9602-1/Roscoe+and+Ra_ad+002.jpg)

[s0hcsleeper]

Sushi menu as the background is awesome! lol

[chkit]

haha, nice

[sperry]

What are the names of the other 2 fish Mr. Too Clever? LOL I like it. Menu is very cool.

[BecomesOcean]

Thanks for noticing the background. I posted the same pics on a local board and no one said a thing about it. Reefcentral is smart.

Uhh... Hadn't really thought of other names. Could call the masked goby Guy Fawkes or V for short. The yeller clown goby = Fred Gibson.

Now accepting name nominations for the sexy shrimp. One assumption should be that she's a temptress...

[Rue]

Cute background! Nice little tank!

[Slakker]

three fish...in a three gallon tank?

Are you serious?

[saltyshoe_nano]

lol I know I was told only 3 for my 20 L lol oh well they look happy and healthy! tank looks great...also Like the background
~shoe

[Rue]

...more frequent WCs?

[Slakker]

Doesn't make up for it, really.

[nYgel]

OH GOD THREE TINY FISH THAT DONT MOVE!!!!! seriously... its getting old with these people acting like a fish that doesnt move and barely eats will cause enough of a bioload to bother much... really. Its a sweet tank, really... its awesome looking, I much like it.

[BecomesOcean]

With hesitance, I answer yes, three fish. For the first ten weeks of the tank it was only the yellow clown and the masked goby. I feed once a day and twice on Mondays and Fridays, being an office tank. I do two half gallon water changes a week and parameters stayed well within desirable ranges. The little kit even came with a tight lid so I'm not losing much to evaporation. Moral of the paragraph, I've got a stable little tank.

So then from a stress/health of the fish viewpoint is it wise to have three fish in there? Most likely not. Unless they're three fish that can adapt to that environment. Even then, three's a streatch and need to be closely watched.

I chose the yellow clown goby because it grows no longer than an inch and spends 80% of the day perching on corals. It has shown zero agression to anyone and is a fine inhabitant for the system. The masked goby is the opposite, swimming 80% of the day and perching the rest. But he hovers more than he swims and usually stays on one side of the tank. Again, no aggression. He's at an inch right now but his species can grow to 1.5-2 inches. Should he get much over 1.5, he's coming home to join the other three masked gobies hanging out in my 24 Aquapod (these ones actually spend more time perching than my one at work does). The good thing about a three gallon is it's not so hard to find the things that need to come out.

So a third fish? I went ahead and got a one inch threadfin goby because he was paired with a pistol. The three gallon is the perfect tank to view the amazing relationship. But, it was done only with careful thought. Adult Stogonobiops nematodes are no larger than two inches and in the wild are never found more than a foot or two away from their burrow. To me, my tank is a good fit. Thursday was the first day they were in the tank and no one showed any aggression, although the threadfin did make a bluff when the yellow clown sat on the rock above the burrow.

I recognize that as hobbyists we too often make a purchase because we've "always wanted one" or "seriously, I've got tons of pods, that mandarin will be fine in my 20 gallon," when it's only the moorish idol or the goniopora that winds up hurt. I read in the respobsible reefkeeping forum that when we acquire the next new thing for our tanks we should think of it as we do a dog or cat - that we've just adopted it, rather than bought it. When put in the terms of "adoption" it emphasizes our need to care for these critters we've just made completely dependant on us.

The point is, Slakker, thanks for bringing up that three fish in a three gallon is probably pushing it. But, like nYgel said, I've got three small fish that don't move/metabolize enough to produce much waste. And given the low space demands and minimal aggression of the three species involved, I believe it's a tenable situation. The minute it's demonstrated otherwise, I'll take care of it.

Here's a list of my inhabitants:
Fred Gipson = yellow clown goby
Guy Fawkes = masked goby
Roscoe P. Coltrane = threadfin goby
Ra'ad/Thunder Punch = randall's pistol shrimp (alpheus randalli)
1 sexy shrimp
3 blue leg hermits
3 small nassarius snails
2 stomatella snails
1 hitchhiker sandbed feather duster

1 kenya tree
couple heads of pom-pom xenia
various zoas
1 orange florida ric
2 small green yumas
1 red lobophyllia
4 heads trumpet coral
GSP rock

[dynaschm0e]

Sweet tank BecomesOcean. Clever names and sounds like you have taken choice of inhabitants into consideration for happiness/health in your nano evironment. Good job. Keep us posted.

[RADERBY]

I agree great looking tank. I just bought the same tank made by TOM, and will be setting it up as soon as my sand comes in. I planned to put a high finned banded goby and a pistol as well. How much sand and rock do you have in there? thanks

[Illuminati]

Great tank and you picked great livestock choices. It's obvious you know what your doing and you have the best intrest of the fish in mind.

Now how about a close up of the masked goby when you get a chance? :)

[BecomesOcean]

Sand is only an inch or so deep in the front and maybe inch and a half in the back, however many pounds that makes. I chose the size up from the sugar sized, so second biggest? It's working well with the pistol so far. I've only got like two pounds of rock cos I didn't want to clutter up the display. I had a bunch of rock at home to pick from and got the most porus and cavity-filled ones I could to maximize surface area for bacteria.

The HOB has a filter pad where more of the bacteria can grow and a second insert with hundreds of small prongs on it for bacteria growth. All-in-all, with the water changes I've not had nitrate problems.

I'll see about getting more pics up tomorrow before I go on vacation.

[Slakker]

I wouldn't say that three fish in a 3g tank is iffy...i'd be more inclined to say it's insane...however, you have chosen wisely, and your plan is pretty good.

I hope you have success.

[saltyshoe_nano]

Lol I wasnt being mean if you read my post thoroughly, I said I was told only 3 for my 20L not complaining, I also said It looks great! and they look HAPPY AND HEALTHY - nygel lol sorry I typed what I was told......appearently you know what your doing oceans! Looks amazing! good luck

~shoe

[BradsOcean]

amazing tank. Not so good poll results though. hahhaha

[nYgel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10252950#post10252950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyshoe_nano
Lol I wasnt being mean if you read my post thoroughly, I said I was told only 3 for my 20L not complaining, I also said It looks great! and they look HAPPY AND HEALTHY - nygel lol sorry I typed what I was told......appearently you know what your doing oceans! Looks amazing! good luck

~shoe

the fish/inch per gallon rule is worthless. It depends solely on the fish and its ways. If its a messy active fish, less fish. If its a fish taht sits there and doesnt eat much... it might as well be a coral...

[BecomesOcean]

Well said.

Alright, leaving town for a week. Gave a coworker a crash course and and emergency number.

Here's to hope......

[CamBarr]

sweet tank

[BecomesOcean]

Well nothing died or surrendered during vacation so I added a few things last week; a blue ric, green moon coral and some pipe organ polyps. And an Achilles tang. Feel free to call shenanigans on tang claim.

Full tank shot taken today. Guy Fawkes (the masked goby) looks enormous cos he's in the foreground.
http://saltbucket.com/d/10189-2/DSC00649.JPG (http://saltbucket.com/d/10187-1/DSC00649.JPG)

I like how Roscoe and Ra'ad pitched themselves a ricordia tent over their burrow.
http://saltbucket.com/d/10192-2/DSC00652.JPG (http://saltbucket.com/d/10190-1/DSC00652.JPG)

Here's Fred Gipson doing his thing.
http://saltbucket.com/d/10195-2/DSC00664.JPG (http://saltbucket.com/d/10193-1/DSC00664.JPG)

And a pic of the whole setup. Some of the cords are behind the picture frame on the left and I've got another two pictures sitting on my desk to hide the powerbar, light timer and temp controller. I normally leave the lid on but took it off for pics.
http://saltbucket.com/d/10198-2/DSC00665.JPG (http://saltbucket.com/d/10196-1/DSC00665.JPG)

[Shortie]

I am jealous! If they didn't turn off the a/c in my building on the weekends I'd have a nano at work too!

[Maxi]

Nice tank..! its the same one I have! Their great right? With the 14k atinic and the 7.5k flourescent.. Their excellent 3 gallons.
Just want to ask you this...

Do you have the hood on that it came with? Or is it off?
That goby with the pistol is the "hi fin red banded goby" right?
If it is, then I'm getting one too :D My favorite tiny goby.

[Maxi]

You know what I JUST realized.. I read threw this thread three times, and now I just figured out that my questions were already answered :)

[mayo-92]

lookin good lol very cool

[BecomesOcean]

Maxi - Yeah, it's a great little tank. Wish it was glass, but it's a killer little set-up anyway. I'd love to see what other folks have done with theirs. You have any pics?

[Maxi]

Yes I have pictures.

Full tank shot:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture010.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture011.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture012.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture014.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture015.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture018.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture013.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture002.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture001.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/maximino_bucket/Picture004.jpg

[Maxi]

It looks much different than that, that picture was the day I bought it. The full tank shot.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1165352&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[gonzalri]

Nice looking Tank....Congrats...keep up the good work

So whats you maintenance schedule on that Deco 3 gal ?

How and what do you use to feed ?

What do you use to dose and how often?

Any complaints on the kit ?

Any upgrades that should be done?

As you may notice i'm interested in buying this same kit to start up a PICO system, any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[reefer1024]

very nice:thumbsup:

I really like the layout and how you used minimal rock with the open sand in the front. I used to have a shrimp and goby just like that. If you give your pistol shrimp some small pieces of ruble or sea shells(just lay them in the sand near the entrance) he will use them to fortify his burrow and might even use a shell for a door at night time.

[cherubfish pair]

Superb photography!

Good luck!

[Tyler.L]

you obviously listen to rap cause you wouldnt know who roscoe p coldchain was if you didnt.....r.e u.p g.a.n.g

tank is sweet but how much evaporation do you lose over a weekend? do you have a ATO?

[BecomesOcean]

Thanks all.

Tyler - I don't lose much to evap over the weekend cos I keep the lid on when I'm gone. No ATO, I just add as needed which is about every other day. Oh, and I like me the rap musics, but I named the goby after Roscoe P. Coltrane, the sheriff from Dukes of Hazzard, cos he always had a pistol. And a dog named Flash. So I think I'm going to change the pistol's name to ThunderFlash. Sick.

http://www.saltbucket.com/d/10512-1/Rosco.jpg


Cherub - I just use a dinky digital point-and-shoot camera and got lucky the pics didn't blur or bleach. Hooray technology.

1024 - Thanks for the compliments. That's exactly what I'm going for. This is my first pistol pair so thanks for the tips. I'll try to find some small things for him to be all particular with. Any tips on feeding the little guy?

Gonzalri - Overall I like the tank and am happy with the purchase. Main reason is it's essentially an all-in-one system that works well with minimal or no upgrades. The lid is great at keeping temp stable and evap low (I only have to add two or so cups a week if the lid stays on). The 18 watt light pumps out enough light to grow the softies and select lps with no supplemental lights. I'd like to get more on it cos the 18 watts wasn't quite enough to keep the frogspawn going, but extra units would mess with the overall appearance, which is sleek and clean.

That's prolly why I like the kit better than the Picoreef by JBJ. The tank design feels more inspired. Just my preference though. The two biggest bummers are that it's made out of acrylic, which scratches as easy as butter, and the hang on back filter, though powerful, is clear and thus grows algae quickly. It's not the biggest deal since it's tiny and easy to clean, but I have to clean out the intake tube weekly and the whole thing every second or third week.

Another minor drawback is once this light goes out I don't know where to get a replacement. The bulb itself is molded into the base and it looks like you have to replace the entire top part when you switch out the bulb. My LFS says he can order a new one, so I'll let you know if that pans out or not.

The only upgrade I did was the suchi menu in the background so the wires didn't show. Oh, and I have a 7.5 watt Hydor mini-heater (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~HD10401.html) that I folded up and put in the back of the HOB. I hate extra wires and heaters and such cluttering up the display so that was the only thing small enough to would work. It's one of the types where once plugged in it's always on, so I had to bum an old temp controller off a friend of mine. I put the light on one of those pin-style timers too. Again, I'd like to do more light. I might try and order another of the 18 watt Deco units if I can find it anywhere.

I feed with Formula One once or twice a day and every now and again will bring some mysis from home. I turn off the powerhead during most of the feedings so the flakes sink and my small nassarius snails, blue leg hermits, sexy shrimp and the pistol can grab some food. I try and get ThunderFlash some mysis once every week. I know he forages off whatever he finds in the sand, but in the 3 gallon that can't be too much.

[reefer1024]

To answer you question about feeding, I have never seen the the highfin goby eat of the sand bed only from the water column. After he gets enough for himself he will grab some food and spit it back out for the shrimp. The shrimp has a very good sense of smell and if you can get food to land near the borrow the shrimp will come out and grab it. My shrimp and goby pair ate anything I would feed. Flakes, Pellets and anything meaty. Hope this helps

[FL > OH]

Your tank looks great and very familiar, I have the same 3g TOM tank and I also have a yellow clown goby.

Have you ever seen the clown goby act aggressive to your sexy shrimp, I want to get ~3 sexy shrimp but I have heard that the goby may go after small shrimp.

and I don’t know how you keep your tank that clean, the back of my tank and my filter tube are covered with coralline and I cant keep up.

Thanks