3 Gallon Desk top Pico

[danoreef]

lost all the image files in the old thread so I am starting a new thread with all the new images.

I bought this little set up online for fifty bucks. It has a nice little HOB filter with what they call a bio insert, supposedly it will generate some type of biological filtration... we'll see! it is also whisper quiet. it has a very nice 50/50 power compact light. I set it on a timer for an 8 hour light period.

I purchased a 25 watt submersible heater installed a small thermometer and set the temperature to 80 degrees. once that was established, I added approx. 4 pounds of live sand to begin the nitrogen cycle.

I epoxied the rock to form a nice little reef structure. as you can see the epoxy is easily seen right now but after some time and some Coraline algae starts to grow on it should become virtually invisible. I also added three hermit crabs, the cycle wasn't really getting started on its own so I added some life. I will monitor the parameters very closely.

the tank has finished cycling and all parameters are in check. Having a small issue keeping the temp on target. I added a cleaner shrimp a purple pseudo, and a small purple mushroom... Here's The Pictures

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Frontviewjustwater-e1268548906104.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Top_view_filter-e1268549178588.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/front_view_sand_and_heater-e1268549628126.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/front_shot_new_rock-e1268549950160.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/front_shot_new_rock2-e1268549909126.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/epoxied_rock1-e1268589300192.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/epoxied_rock100-e1268589253800.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cleaner_shrimp-e1268589816166.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Purple_mushroom-e1268589719107.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/purple_pseudo-e1268589658853.jpg

[danoreef]

Some more pictures;

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_zoas_intank3.jpg


http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_zoas_intank2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_zoas_intank1.jpg

[NemusMaximus]

looks like youre off to a great start! :)

[danoreef]

looks like youre off to a great start! :)

Thank you. I'm trying... I do two one gallon water changes a week to try to keep a handle on the parameters.

[Sugar Magnolia]

What a neat little tank! Is that a strawberry basslet?

[twiggyb]

I like your rock work for such a small tank. Nice!

[danoreef]

What a neat little tank! Is that a strawberry basslet?

Yes. But, I am very sad to report that he is no longer with me. He jumped out of the tank for the second time. The first time, I happened to have just entered the room and turned the room light on and he sailed right out of the tank, I was able to scoop him up and put him right back in... The second time I wasn't so lucky. I believe from this point I am probably gonna go fish-less

[danoreef]

I like your rock work for such a small tank. Nice!

Thank you. Its only three little peices and it filled this little tank. My LFS charges $7.99 a pound for Live rock and all three rocks cost about 6 bucks each.

[Mrrealmadrid]

can you lay the heater down in the back to try to hide it a bit? Cool little tank but that heater is killing it lol

[Mrrealmadrid]

Get a yellow tail damsel.... they stay small and are cheap.... I dont think they are jumpers either

Yes. But, I am very sad to report that he is no longer with me. He jumped out of the tank for the second time. The first time, I happened to have just entered the room and turned the room light on and he sailed right out of the tank, I was able to scoop him up and put him right back in... The second time I wasn't so lucky. I believe from this point I am probably gonna go fish-less

[danoreef]

can you lay the heater down in the back to try to hide it a bit? Cool little tank but that heater is killing it lol

You are so right about this heater. I have a 10 watt heater but it you can't adjust the temp its automatically set to 73 degrees but it doesn't get the temp past room temp and my basement is cold.

I am considering buying another one and put both 10 watt heaters in the HOB filter

[danoreef]

Get a yellow tail damsel.... they stay small and are cheap.... I don't think they are jumpers either

Thanks I will look into that.

[danoreef]

The little filter that came with the tank was not sufficient for a reef tank… It looked nice and it probably would be good for freshwater tanks around 20 gallons, but the flow just wasn’t there for the corals to thrive. So I purchased a filter that is rated for a 50 gallon tank yes a 50 gallon tank, Uhh… and yes this is only a 3 gallon tank. I hooked it up and it has great flow I think its just what the tank needed. It has an insert which hold a filter sponge, a small bag of activated carbon, and another small bag of ceramic bio-rings.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Aqua_clear_box.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_aqua_clear_filter2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_aqua_clear_filter_Insert.jpg

[danoreef]

Today I worked on setting up a gravity fed Auto top off system for the tank. Not for everyday use, just for when I go on vacation or anytime that I am away from the tank for a few days (which I know is a big no-no for reef tanks). Anyhow I found a thread on nano-reef.com on a ATO made from a ferrets water bottle and here's what I came up with. I made a stand out of plastic eggcrate light covers to hold the water bottle and the brackets that came with the bottle hook right onto it as if it were the side of a ferrets cage. Here are some pictures;

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_stand2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_brackets1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_water_bottle.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO2.jpg

[Clavius]

Nice Pico! I used to have a similar pico that I was going to setup but I never got around to it and eventually sold it. I'd like to set one up again. Do you have much trouble with parameter fluctuations?

[danoreef]

thank you, I do a one gallon water change twice a week to keep a handle on the parameters. It seems to working good.

[danoreef]

I tested the parameters today... I did do a 1 gallon water change yesterday

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 8.3
SG 1.024

[RoganTerrance]

nice pico

[jpruitt]

I like your ATO very interesting.

[coraljunkee]

sweet nano

[yankeereefer]

that metal tip on your water bottle is not gonna be good for your tank

[danoreef]

nice pico

I like your ATO very interesting.

sweet nano

that metal tip on your water bottle is not gonna be good for your tank

Thank you.

Yes I realize that the metal tip probably won't be good. But for a seven day vacation with someone coming over maybe one or two days to check on everything. I am hoping that this will be a good top off for that time.

[danoreef]

I received one so far But I ordered three more, They were shipped today. I will post the pics of those when they are settled into the tank here’s the one I have so far…

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/NewRicordia.jpg

[Sugar Magnolia]

You should put a group of 4 or 5 sexy shrimp in there.

[gooose]

What kind of Ricordea is that?

[danoreef]

You should put a group of 4 or 5 sexy shrimp in there.

Aren't they known for eating some mushrooms or zoas?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Mine never did. I target fed mine an invert pellet once or twice a week.

[dogstar74]

Just cut a 2 inch piece of vinyl hose attach it to the metal part so that only fresh water contacts the metal.

[evolution0420]

Nice tank! I have the exact same one, the pump you changed and see that it works well, I am going to try the same thing and see how it works. Your right not much flow with the original pump. I have a 10 gallon that I migrated some things over to the new tank and I may just start over with what I have, I bought it used.

[Nano sapiens]

Thank you.

Yes I realize that the metal tip probably won't be good. But for a seven day vacation with someone coming over maybe one or two days to check on everything. I am hoping that this will be a good top off for that time.

I've been using the the big PetCo bottles 24/7 for over 1-1/2 years without any rust issues whatsoever.

The metal tips on these bottle are made of stainless steel, but only certain types of stainless are truly 'rust-proof'. Your planned limited use of this ATO does make the possible rust issue much less critical, but still, hopefully the SS grade used by the manufacturer of your bottle is one of the rustless ones.

[gacon711]

A very interesting tank

[danoreef]

Just cut a 2 inch piece of vinyl hose attach it to the metal part so that only fresh water contacts the metal.

That's what I decided to do, however the test I was running was to see if it would last 7 days and it only lasted 4 days. I am going to need a larger reservoir I seen that fosters and smith have a 64 ounce bottle... I am going to try and mod am apple juice bottle I have to be the top off. If that doesn't work then I will have to get a float valve and a pump with a bucket of water.

[danoreef]

Nice tank! I have the exact same one, the pump you changed and see that it works well, I am going to try the same thing and see how it works. Your right not much flow with the original pump. I have a 10 gallon that I migrated some things over to the new tank and I may just start over with what I have, I bought it used.

The new larger filter have been doing great! aside from the sand missing from the spot the flow hits the hardest.

[danoreef]

I've been using the the big PetCo bottles 24/7 for over 1-1/2 years without any rust issues whatsoever.

The metal tips on these bottle are made of stainless steel, but only certain types of stainless are truly 'rust-proof'. Your planned limited use of this ATO does make the possible rust issue much less critical, but still, hopefully the SS grade used by the manufacturer of your bottle is one of the rustless ones.

I seen your thread on nano-reef, thank you for the great idea. The stainless steal that this manufacturer used has to be a very cheap grade or not SS at all because after only 4 days there was a rust build up in the salt creep that was sitting on top of the metal tip in the water. If I do end up going with pet bottle I will go with the same ones that you used. I am trying to mod a 64 oz. apple juice bottle with a vinyl hose. I'll post my results.

[danoreef]

My auto top off spurred a lot of controversy over the metal tip in the water. I believed the tip to stainless steal however I had some rust in the salt creep that was on the metal tip that was in the water. Any how the main reason for this revision isn’t the rust, because I just put a small piece of vinyl tubing from the tip to the water, but the main reason is that the 32 oz bottle only got me 4 days and I need seven. So here’s the revision. I had to build a new frame for the larger bottle, here are some pics;

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_water_bottle1.jpg
New water bottle

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New-stand_and_bottle.jpg
New bottle and stand

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/new_tip.jpg
New tip

[danoreef]

I change one gallon of water two times a week. well, I have this new filter that does not like to turn back on when I shut it off, I heard that the reason for this is because the parts inside of these little pumps swell when the are shut down and sometimes never start back up they just cease-up. So I decided to do my water changes on the fly. Here’s how I do it; Pictures to follow… maybe a video would be better…

I prepare one gallon of water, salt, heat, you know, all the good stuff.

I remove about half a gallon, then pour in a half gallon of new water never shutting down the filter, I then siphon out another half gallon then add the rest of the new water.

I do this twice a week because I feel if I waited any longer between water change the nitrates would climb too high and I would start losing corals and invertebrates.

[ziege]

One of these days I'm going to set up a water changer for small tanks.

It will consist of two plastic bags with lengths of tubing sealed to them (think hydration pack reservoirs (http://www.amazon.com/Generic-2-liter-Bladder-Hydration-Reservoir/dp/B000VJAXFM) or medical drain bags), in a box, and a power head that can attach to either hose. The box will be just big enough to hold one full bag and will close so it supports the bags on all sides.

I'll fill one of the bags (using the power head...oh, after pulling out all the air in the bag using lung power first) from my mixing bucket. Then I'll swap the powerhead onto the other hose and drop it into the tank. Put the hose attached to the full bag on the far side of the tank and start the power head.

If my theory is correct the water filling the empty bag will push against the full bag, forcing new water into the tank at a 1:1 ratio with the water removed. Once the second bag is full of old tank water the first bag should be empty. I'll be able to do my water changes without significantly reducing the water level in the tank or turning off the filters and other devices.

I figure it will cost about $30 for a 2 liter version. You can get bag reservoirs that would work fine for this up to over 100g so it scales fairly well to whatever size a person might want.

I don't think I'm going to get back into pico tanks until/unless I build that. I had a 4.5g tank for a long time, years ago, and water changes got to be kinda a stressful drag for everything in the tank.

[elite401]

Nice little tank. I couldn't work with a tank on my desk!

[danoreef]

Nice little tank. I couldn't work with a tank on my desk!

:lolspin: Your so right!

[FishNutty]

:lolspin: Your so right!

I have my 10 by my desk...:p

Very cool pico! Do you have any plans for fishies:fish1:?

[romsoccer12]

Fts!

[danoreef]

Fts!

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[savageAJC]

full tank shot!
fts!

i think!
i hope!
lol

[danoreef]

full tank shot!
fts!

i think!
i hope!
lol

I thought it meant F*ck That Sh*t!

I will post a full tank shot but its only got about 5-6 shrooms and zoas its not packed with corals YET. but its about time I took some FTS's and posted them.

[danoreef]

I have a request for some full tank shots… So here they are, along with some new corals;

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/FTS1_4-1-2010.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/FTS2_4-1-2010.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/OrangeRicordia.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/OrangeRicCloseUp.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/OrangeZoas.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/OrangeZoaCloseUp.jpg

[nvdiz]

Looking good

[danoreef]

Looking good

thank you

[moses]

Today I worked on setting up a gravity fed Auto top off system for the tank. Not for everyday use, just for when I go on vacation or anytime that I am away from the tank for a few days (which I know is a big no-no for reef tanks). Anyhow I found a thread on nano-reef.com on a ATO made from a ferrets water bottle and here's what I came up with. I made a stand out of plastic eggcrate light covers to hold the water bottle and the brackets that came with the bottle hook right onto it as if it were the side of a ferrets cage. Here are some pictures;

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_stand2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_brackets1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO_water_bottle.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/New_ATO2.jpg
The water bottle top-off idea looks pretty cool but I am not sure how you intend for it to work. The water leaves the bottle only when the ball bearing is depressed upwards (typically by whatever animal's tongue that is attempting to access the water). Used in your system, the water will evaporate from your tank causing the ball bearing just hang there via gravity and thereby without allowing water to flow into your tank. So how is this supposed work?

[dogstar74]

you have to remove the ball bearing, and then it only allows air into the bottle when the level of the aquarium drops from evaporation. then the bottle "chugs" out a little fresh water until the water level rises enough to stop the air from entering the bottle again.

[moses]

Very cool idea.... Thanks for the additional explanation...Might add you need to feed your shrimp so they dont develop an appetite for your corals.

Thanks again

[velvetelvis]

Get a yellow tail damsel.... they stay small and are cheap.... I dont think they are jumpers either

The tank is 3 gallons empty, and its capacity is even less when rocks and sand are added. That's way too small for anything but a trimma goby. Yellow-tail damsels get to be about 3" long--to be honest, I think most fish are at a risk of jumping out of a tank this tiny simply because they don't have any room. But another poster mentioned a group of sexy shrimp--they would be ideal, and with a tank this small you could actually see them.

[danoreef]

Very cool idea.... Thanks for the additional explanation...Might add you need to feed your shrimp so they dont develop an appetite for your corals.

Thanks again

Thanks. yes I know this shrimp can eat I feed it dried brine shrimp and slow sinking marine pellets. I feed every day and I mix up the foods each day.

[danoreef]

The tank is 3 gallons empty, and its capacity is even less when rocks and sand are added. That's way too small for anything but a trimma goby. Yellow-tail damsels get to be about 3" long--to be honest, I think most fish are at a risk of jumping out of a tank this tiny simply because they don't have any room. But another poster mentioned a group of sexy shrimp--they would be ideal, and with a tank this small you could actually see them.

I have decided that there will be no fish at all in the tank only inverts. The cleaner shrimp is the main attraction and I love it. I just added 4 more zoa frags. they arrived two days after I ordered them and the look awesome the have acclimated very good. I will add some pics and maybe a video too in the coming days.

[velvetelvis]

Sounds nice! I look forward to seeing more pics. :)

[mushroombreath]

What kind of Ricordea is that?

Awwww I like that ricordea too!

[100%hydrophylic]

danoreef, your auto top off concept is pretty cool. will this work with like an airline tube running from a bottle full of fresh RO water?

[danoreef]

danoreef, your auto top off concept is pretty cool. will this work with like an airline tube running from a bottle full of fresh RO water?

I was looking for a very minimalistic ATO a simple gravity fed one. When I found the thread for this one on nano reef it fit perfect, and after building it it works perfect, even though I still don't get 7 days out of the 32 oz bottle. What you are asking, it could work but you need some type of back pressure. I know some people start a slow drip via gravity and run it constantly. So I'm not sure how yours will get the water from the container down the tube and into the tank. I would love to see what you come up with.

[100%hydrophylic]

like, put a bottle up higher and let gravity force the water through the air line into the tank. not a siphon. what is the source of back pressure on your system? i thought that because air can not get into the bottle the fresh water stays in. but when the water level lowers air is allowed to enter the bottle through the pipe and fresh water leaks into the system until the water level rises enough to prevent air from entering.

here, this is what i was thinking. this is just the concept.
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/hydrophylic/ATOconceptpaint.jpg?t=1271800894

think that would work?

[danoreef]

I found that the tube that is coming out of the bottle has to perfectly straight. the pet water bottle comes out on a straight 45 degree angle. I tried the exact concept that you depicted and the air never went back up the tube and into the bottle, causing an air lock. If left to flow constantly it would completely empty, but as soon as the water level reaches the bottom of the tube and shuts down the siphon It never starts back up on its own. If I shook the bottle the air would rush up to the top and water would flow again. But once again as soon as it stopped it wouldn't start by itself again.

[100%hydrophylic]

hmmm. so the problem is there isnt enough room for air to go back up the tube? what about this?

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/hydrophylic/ATOconceptpaint2.jpg?t=1271809710

this way the air will easily be able to enter the bottle once water level is low enough.

the only thing i worry about is the second tube might suck in water?


(oops paint doesn't have spell check lol)

[xjdiver]

Don't over think this, the concept is very simple. Remember when you were a kid and if you plugged one end of a straw with your finger you could pick up liquid in a straw?

This is called vacuum pressure. The liquid cannot exit because there is nothing to replace the space the water would vacate when it exits the water storage jug. Simply put, the reason this works is when the tank's level drops below the level of the pipe that the fresh water exits, air goes up the pipe, and because there is now something to "replace"the space vacated by water, the fresh water comes out of the pipe until the tank is full, then it stops.

in short DON'T use a second line, more parts = more ways to fail.

[Nano sapiens]

Been using a 'Pet Bottle' ATO your nearly two years on the back of my 12g:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee141/Back2dubs/12galNanoReefH20Bottle.jpg:

To appease the skeptics I ran a simple experiment with dye to show that there is no diffusion between salt and fresh water:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee141/Back2dubs/WaterBottleExperiment.jpg

I added a second bottle and disguised them a bit with an acrylic shroud:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee141/Back2dubs/12gATOCoverSide021510.jpg

What I have read from others who have tried the longer hose-to-the-tank version is that it didn't work if the distance was too far, so I'd say use the shortest length of tube possible. Some have used the second tube principle which is an option if the bottle has to be mounted farther away from the tank.

[100%hydrophylic]

Don't over think this, the concept is very simple. Remember when you were a kid and if you plugged one end of a straw with your finger you could pick up liquid in a straw?

This is called vacuum pressure. The liquid cannot exit because there is nothing to replace the space the water would vacate when it exits the water storage jug. Simply put, the reason this works is when the tank's level drops below the level of the pipe that the fresh water exits, air goes up the pipe, and because there is now something to "replace"the space vacated by water, the fresh water comes out of the pipe until the tank is full, then it stops.

in short DON'T use a second line, more parts = more ways to fail.

yea i understand what your saying, but the OP says that with just one airline the air will have trouble traveling up to the bottle. i think what would happen is kind of like a pipette (sp?). well a pipet has such a small opening in the tip that you actually have to squeeze it to get the water out. gravity wont do the job. and i think the hamster bottle type things are working well because 1.) its a larger tube and 2.) it is pretty much completely straight. i dont want to use something like that because it wont be easy to hide and it wont fit on my system. it would be far easier for me to put a bottle on the shelf above the tank and run an airline tube or two if i can get the concept to work.

oh and Nano sapiens thats very similar to the OP and it looks nice as well. but again i cant do that for my pico

[xjdiver]

Try pvc and nano sapiens there is still diffusion of the Na+ Cl- ions into the RO water/RO diffusion into the tank itself, but the surface area available for diffusion is low and is continually recycled as the ATO system does it's job.

[sikk50]

Man I wish I had the time to devote to a pico. I had one for a little while but it was just too mcuh work

[Snickersalad]

Nice pico. I like the idea of keeping it invert only. These are cool little tanks.

[danoreef]

Tank is progressing nicely, here's a video I shot.

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[danoreef]

[QUOTE=Nano sapiens;16985878]Been using a 'Pet Bottle' ATO your nearly two years on the back of my 12g:

Nano sapiens, thank you for posting here it was your thread on nano reef that I used for the ATO. It's exactly what i was looking for, I didn't want to have any more pumps or float valve's I was looking for something that would work via gravity, and every time I tried the water bottle with air line tubing (no matter how wide a diameter airline I used) it wouldn't work. then I found your thread, Thank you.
I switched to the larger water bottle to buy some more time but I still only bought me 4 days.

[danoreef]

hmmm. so the problem is there isnt enough room for air to go back up the tube? what about this?

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/hydrophylic/ATOconceptpaint2.jpg?t=1271809710

this way the air will easily be able to enter the bottle once water level is low enough.

the only thing i worry about is the second tube might suck in water?


(oops paint doesn't have spell check lol)

Looks good! to be honest I hadn't tried that. I hope it works. let us know if it does. it definitely looks inexpensive enough to try on a small scale, you can play around with and to try and see if you can get it to work.

[100%hydrophylic]

i tried it, and as i suspected water would get sucked up through the air only tube and the same problem would occur. the vacuum pressure in the bottle wont allow the water to escape the bottle. i thought about trying bigger hose and see if that will work. i got this idea from comparing a turkey baster and a pipette. if you hold a turkey baster straight down water will eventually start to drip out of it. but if you hold a pipette straight down water does not drip. i think this has to do with surface tension on the water. but you said that didnt work? how big did you go up to? i actually thought about using pretty big hose. not airline, but like this hose from a gravel siphon.

oh and your tank looks awesome! (lol. evanescence. good choice :thumbsup:)

[danoreef]

The largest tube I used was 3/8 inch ID. it didn't work I was using a one gallon Poland spring water. another thing I found when it would work was since the air wasn't going back up into the bottle the bottle would start to collapse inward. So I would suggest definitely going with a bottle that is made of a strong thick gauge plastic.

[dogstar74]

It is imperative to the design that the bottle be strong enough to support the vacuume and not deflect. Once it deflects, then it can become weakened and will give a lot more water than you may want it to. Think of a gallon jug of water inverted, the pressure from the water will colapse the jug. Same goes for 2L bottles like they use for soda pop.
But a glass jug is great! Use a 1 gallon wine bottle or Apple cider bottle and it works great. I've actually used a 5 gallon glass water bottle on my 20 gallon before. Worked like a charm, and no top offs for over two weeks is nice.

Cheers
Aaron

[danoreef]

It is imperative to the design that the bottle be strong enough to support the vacuume and not deflect. Once it deflects, then it can become weakened and will give a lot more water than you may want it to. Think of a gallon jug of water inverted, the pressure from the water will colapse the jug. Same goes for 2L bottles like they use for soda pop.
But a glass jug is great! Use a 1 gallon wine bottle or Apple cider bottle and it works great. I've actually used a 5 gallon glass water bottle on my 20 gallon before. Worked like a charm, and no top offs for over two weeks is nice.

Cheers
Aaron

Thanks for the comments. How did you design the ATO with the glass bottle?

[100%hydrophylic]

yes i would also like to know how you got your ATO with a glass bottle to work?

[Skerp]

Hey just tagging along on this thread, interested in how these contraptions work, then I saw moses' question and the answer to it. It is a pretty sweet idea whoever came up with it. In a few days I'm setting up about a 2 gal pico in this sweet glass cookie jar I bought. I just have to eat all these damn anisette cookies first! :)

[Kevin_Bullis]

Looks pretty sweet, good job.



Kevin

[danoreef]

Hey just tagging along on this thread, interested in how these contraptions work, then I saw moses' question and the answer to it. It is a pretty sweet idea whoever came up with it. In a few days I'm setting up about a 2 gal pico in this sweet glass cookie jar I bought. I just have to eat all these damn anisette cookies first! :)

So funny, the stuff we do when we come up with an Idea.

[danoreef]

Looks pretty sweet, good job.



Kevin

Thanks Kevin... Nice car!

[joshh81]

I built a very simple ATO for my 3 gallon Pico.

(I stole the idea from someone else.... ) I bought a nicer air pump and its almost whisper silent. I extended the leads on the float valve and everything is nicely hidden under my desk.

(1) Take a battery powered air pump

(2) Cut the line from the Positive battery terminal that leads to the pump and splice in a float valve.

(3) Drill 2 small holes in the cap of a 2 liter bottle.

(4) Insert an airline tube from the air pump and seal it just inside the cap.

(5) Insert another airline tube into the second hole and have the airline tube go all the way to the bottom.

This way when the water level drops, the float valve completes the circuit. Pumps air into the bottle and due to the pressure, water then travels up the airline tubing into the tank.

Watch the video below... very simple and works well for me. I fill the 2 liter up one every week / week and half.

Watch the video and the link to the website is below. Thank you to whoever built it because you have certainly saved my butt....

http://reefchronicle.com/tag/diy-ato-for-aquariums/



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[danoreef]

I built a very simple ATO for my 3 gallon Pico.

(I stole the idea from someone else.... ) I bought a nicer air pump and its almost whisper silent. I extended the leads on the float valve and everything is nicely hidden under my desk.

(1) Take a battery powered air pump

(2) Cut the line from the Positive battery terminal that leads to the pump and splice in a float valve.

(3) Drill 2 small holes in the cap of a 2 liter bottle.

(4) Insert an airline tube from the air pump and seal it just inside the cap.

(5) Insert another airline tube into the second hole and have the airline tube go all the way to the bottom.

This way when the water level drops, the float valve completes the circuit. Pumps air into the bottle and due to the pressure, water then travels up the airline tubing into the tank.

Watch the video below... very simple and works well for me. I fill the 2 liter up one every week / week and half.

Watch the video and the link to the website is below. Thank you to whoever built it because you have certainly saved my butt....

http://reefchronicle.com/tag/diy-ato-for-aquariums/



Awesome You may have just saved me... I will be going away for seven days and tha ATO I use now only last about four days. I have a question though, I only have about 20 small air pumps but none are battery operated do you think I could use an electric pump? or would be to much voltage for the switch?

[joshh81]

I thought about the same thing. I have a pretty vast background in electronics and from experience I would say its a bad idea because the float valve is now handling full line voltage. You would have to use a relay and the time, parts and energy required would outweigh the $12 for the battery air pump.

It would work without the relay by itself (splicing into the power cord) but in no way could I leave for a week and trust it. For me, the $12 for the battery air pump was worth the piece of mind that $12 could have save my office from burning down.

[jauld]

I built a very simple ATO for my 3 gallon Pico.

(I stole the idea from someone else.... ) I bought a nicer air pump and its almost whisper silent. I extended the leads on the float valve and everything is nicely hidden under my desk.

(1) Take a battery powered air pump

(2) Cut the line from the Positive battery terminal that leads to the pump and splice in a float valve.

(3) Drill 2 small holes in the cap of a 2 liter bottle.

(4) Insert an airline tube from the air pump and seal it just inside the cap.

(5) Insert another airline tube into the second hole and have the airline tube go all the way to the bottom.

This way when the water level drops, the float valve completes the circuit. Pumps air into the bottle and due to the pressure, water then travels up the airline tubing into the tank.

Watch the video below... very simple and works well for me. I fill the 2 liter up one every week / week and half.

Watch the video and the link to the website is below. Thank you to whoever built it because you have certainly saved my butt....

http://reefchronicle.com/tag/diy-ato-for-aquariums/



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haha my video finally made it to the forums I see. I'm glad its working well for you, mine is still going strong as well!

[karnivorous]

looks good. wish i had kept my pico around

[danoreef]

I thought about the same thing. I have a pretty vast background in electronics and from experience I would say its a bad idea because the float valve is now handling full line voltage. You would have to use a relay and the time, parts and energy required would outweigh the $12 for the battery air pump.

It would work without the relay by itself (splicing into the power cord) but in no way could I leave for a week and trust it. For me, the $12 for the battery air pump was worth the piece of mind that $12 could have save my office from burning down.

Thanks, i purchased the float valve and the battery air pump from ebay. I paid $3.00 for the float valve and $14.00 for the air pump. Can't wait til it gets here to start putting together. :thumbsup:

[danoreef]

haha my video finally made it to the forums I see. I'm glad its working well for you, mine is still going strong as well!

Thanks for the cool little how to video. :thumbsup:

[jauld]

Thanks for the cool little how to video. :thumbsup:

No problem, im glad its helped you out.

Your tank looks great too. How often do you do water changes?

I had a tom aquatic mini deco tank as well, except it was the 1 gallon version. It came out really cool and it was a ton of fun to build...heater malfunction melted everything in the tank though.

Keep it up!

[dogstar74]

Make sure the hose on the aquarium side does not stay submerged after the pump kicks off. If it stays submerged in the display tank when the pump stops you will creat a back siphon and may find your tank water being pulled back into the reservoir. Other than that! nice job. Best part is, if the ATO gets stuck on, then you only have about 2L of water to clean up. Not like the 55 gallon barrel I have!

Aaron

[reefscape15]

thats an awesome little pico. I wish I had an office to work in so I had somewhere to set something like that up!....................................stupid construction trade.........................

[danoreef]

thats an awesome little pico. I wish I had an office to work in so I had somewhere to set something like that up!....................................stupid construction trade.........................

Thank you reefscape. its not at work, its on my computer desk at home. there was a small corner of the desk screaming for something....... this little tank fit perfect.

[danoreef]

two things I have in the works for this little tank are a larger ATO system, one that can be stored below the desk, and can hold at least a gallon of water maybe more.
The other thing is a small protein skimmer. Maybe a soda bottle size. with the amount of water changes I do its not something I need but I would like to hook up a small skimmer and see what it pulls out of this little tank even with the water changes.

[PalyliCious]

WOW! You have an awesome Picotope build! I have a Picotope myself.. I’m new to the hobby and I’ve been learning everyday.. I just started an RC account, about two days ago, and I’m glad I did because I would have never come across your thread! I’ve been looking for an ATO system for my tank for a while now because I’m in and out of my house a lot for school. Sometimes I don’t have the time to replace my evaporated water with RO water, so I get a little help from my younger brother, but thanks to your thread I have many ideas for an ATO system for my Pico. I’m excited to put one together. Thank you soo much for your thread! :]

[danoreef]

WOW! You have an awesome Picotope build! I have a Picotope myself.. I’m new to the hobby and I’ve been learning everyday.. I just started an RC account, about two days ago, and I’m glad I did because I would have never come across your thread! I’ve been looking for an ATO system for my tank for a while now because I’m in and out of my house a lot for school. Sometimes I don’t have the time to replace my evaporated water with RO water, so I get a little help from my younger brother, but thanks to your thread I have many ideas for an ATO system for my Pico. I’m excited to put one together. Thank you soo much for your thread! :]

Wow! Thank you. I'm glad I could help. This site is by far the best reef website ther is. not only will you find my thread but you will find hundreds with similar builds you can really get some great ideas. I will be ordering some more corals soon I will post some new pics. any pictures of your tank?

[PalyliCious]

Cool, I can't wait to see them :] ..It's actually quite random that I was able to find your thread because your from New York and I'm from California.. I have no clue how I did that, lol ..Yea, I have a few pictures of my tank.. Would you like me to post it on your thread?

[Dipandots]

Thanks, i purchased the float valve and the battery air pump from ebay. I paid $3.00 for the float valve and $14.00 for the air pump. Can't wait til it gets here to start putting together. :thumbsup:

I'm looking at doing an ATO for my 15g, and am just wondering what float switch you ended up getting? I can only find ones from China, and the shipping makes me nervous.

[danoreef]

I'm looking at doing an ATO for my 15g, and am just wondering what float switch you ended up getting? I can only find ones from China, and the shipping makes me nervous.

That's the one I ordered it was $2.66 with free shipping from China...... don't ask me how they do that...... I guess we'll find out. basically if the auto top off works and it fits my needs, I will change anything that I think is shady with so called "quality" parts...... Probably made in China ;).
basically what I build now will be a prototype.

[danoreef]

Cool, I can't wait to see them :] ..It's actually quite random that I was able to find your thread because your from New York and I'm from California.. I have no clue how I did that, lol ..Yea, I have a few pictures of my tank.. Would you like me to post it on your thread?

Sure I would love to see the pics. Or you can start your own thread and put a link here to it.

[100%hydrophylic]

that batter ATO is pretty cool, the only thing i dont like is the float valve in the tank. what would be the type of valve to look for for this sort of thing?

[Travis1787]

wow you people are so smart it makes me sick!!! would either of these ideas work good for a ten gallon? if its just for like 3 days

[Reef_Addict]

Very nice set up

[danoreef]

wow you people are so smart it makes me sick!!! would either of these ideas work good for a ten gallon? if its just for like 3 days

Yeah, absolutely.

[danoreef]

Very nice set up

Thank you!

[100%hydrophylic]

where could i get a float valve like that? anyone know? i really dont know what to look for online.

also, what type of glue would work best for this?

[danoreef]

where could i get a float valve like that? anyone know? i really dont know what to look for online.

also, what type of glue would work best for this?

I am going to build a top off similar to one in the video. I won't be using any glue I will post pictures of the build when I do it. I am not sure what you are asking when you say you need glue... glue for what?

[100%hydrophylic]

well if you look at the build on the link, the person glued the air line tube (the one that the water flows to to reach the tank) to a bent piece of acrylic that hangs on the edge of the tank. also, i was thinking there has to be some sort of adhesive that was used in mounting the float valve. or maybe its some kind of clip on. idk. im more interested in finding a similar float valve. i can worry about adhesives later

OH, and also there has to be a way to seal the holes on your reservoir, or else there wont be enough air pressure. also need some type of glue or silicone or something for that.

[danoreef]

well if you look at the build on the link, the person glued the air line tube (the one that the water flows to to reach the tank) to a bent piece of acrylic that hangs on the edge of the tank. also, i was thinking there has to be some sort of adhesive that was used in mounting the float valve. or maybe its some kind of clip on. idk. im more interested in finding a similar float valve. i can worry about adhesives later

OH, and also there has to be a way to seal the holes on your reservoir, or else there wont be enough air pressure. also need some type of glue or silicone or something for that.

Gotcha.... I've had some experience with the holes in the plastic container and the airline tubing. If you make the hole so that it a little hard to get the tubing in they can create a good seal. As far as the float valve and the tubing I wasn't thinking glue but now that you mention it I don't know how I plan on getting them to stay in place. One thing I know for sure is I do not want to use any glue.... So I will have to figure out a way to make them stay in place....... any suggestions?

[jauld]

Gotcha.... I've had some experience with the holes in the plastic container and the airline tubing. If you make the hole so that it a little hard to get the tubing in they can create a good seal. As far as the float valve and the tubing I wasn't thinking glue but now that you mention it I don't know how I plan on getting them to stay in place. One thing I know for sure is I do not want to use any glue.... So I will have to figure out a way to make them stay in place....... any suggestions?

depending on which float switch you buy, it will be threaded. All you have to do is get a piece of acrylic, make a hole big enough to screw the switch into, then use a lighter to bend the acrylic in the shape that can clip on to the side of your tank. The float switches on ebay are the ones I used in my video - you can get them for under $3 shipped. In retrospect i would have chosen a vertical float switch and just bent the acrylic a little more (its very easy to do).

As for glue, there are brands that are reef safe. Probably the safest way would be to use some reef safe silicone, but it will take a while to dry. Also, many people use super glue gel that is "100% Cyanoacrylate" - its commonly used as frag glue.

however, I would try to use the least chemicals possible, especially on a tank that small.

[100%hydrophylic]

im not sure if we are allowed to link to ebay? but i really want to know if this is would work

this is a vertical one
http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Tank-Water-Level-Sensor-Float-Flow-Switch-UP-NEW-/290437725731?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439f6ffe23

and i think this is the one you used?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Water-Level-Sensor-Right-Angle-Float-Switch-/130373090368?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5ad77c40

[jauld]

im not sure if we are allowed to link to ebay? but i really want to know if this is would work

this is a vertical one
http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Tank-Water-Level-Sensor-Float-Flow-Switch-UP-NEW-/290437725731?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439f6ffe23

and i think this is the one you used?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Water-Level-Sensor-Right-Angle-Float-Switch-/130373090368?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5ad77c40

Either of those should work just fine for the battery powered ato. If you search for "aquarium float switch" or "sump float switch" on my blog you'll find the ones I used.

[Travis1787]

So I am doing the ato that the guy did in the video but the air pump I got doesn't have a red wire to kno its the it cut into and I'm not the brightest light lol so how do I kno which one is it?

[joshh81]

Just unsolder the wire connecting the positive terminal to the switch. Then take 1 wire of the float switch and solder it to the positive terminal and take take the other wire and solder it to the switch....

I took a small piece of acrylic and made a 90 angle. I drilled a hole in the top and screwed in the float valve.

Use super glue to glue to tube to the acrylic on the return line.

see pics below..... I apologize for the quality but they were taken with my blackberry.

[joshh81]

here are 2 more. You cant even really tell the holders are there.....

Granted its a Deco 3 gallon, not a Picotope but concepts are the same....

[jauld]

Just unsolder the wire connecting the positive terminal to the switch. Then take 1 wire of the float switch and solder it to the positive terminal and take take the other wire and solder it to the switch....

I took a small piece of acrylic and made a 90 angle. I drilled a hole in the top and screwed in the float valve.

Use super glue to glue to tube to the acrylic on the return line.

see pics below..... I apologize for the quality but they were taken with my blackberry.

Looks cleaner than mine!

How's it working so far for you?

[joshh81]

Looks cleaner than mine!

How's it working so far for you?

Its working beautifully. The only issue I am working on is when the pump cuts off... it sometimes continues to drip constantly. Its a very slow drip rate but because there is still a bit of pressure in the reservoir, it continues to drip. It only does it every now and then though.

[100%hydrophylic]

is the drip enough to cause problems? or is it just one of those things that bothers you because you personally know its happening, but no one else can tell?

on a side note, i think its kinda funny that this guys build thread turned into an ATO discussion thread. I hope you dont mind??

[joshh81]

is the drip enough to cause problems? or is it just one of those things that bothers you because you personally know its happening, but no one else can tell?

on a side note, i think its kinda funny that this guys build thread turned into an ATO discussion thread. I hope you dont mind??

Lol... good point. I think we got derailed when he asked about ATO's. I threw in a few thoughts and we ended up far away from the yellow brick road.

How is the tank Dano? Any new updated pics?

Hopefully everyone has learned a few things and everyone is better off after reading through the thread....

[jauld]

Its working beautifully. The only issue I am working on is when the pump cuts off... it sometimes continues to drip constantly. Its a very slow drip rate but because there is still a bit of pressure in the reservoir, it continues to drip. It only does it every now and then though.

Yea this is the only draw back. For me this wasnt really a problem because the drip was so slow. If anything it just means that your ATO pump wont need to come on as often.

[Travis1787]

ok here is my pump

[Travis1787]

Ok so my pump 3 wires 1 going from the switch to the pump the top short one ... 2 the one on the left going from switch to negative and 3 the one on the right going from positive to the pump ... Going by jaulds video I would tie into the short wire going from switch to pump and the top is this right?

[joshh81]

Cut or remove this wire entirely.

If you remove the wire, just connect one end of the float switch on the battery terminal (where you removed one part of the white wire) and connect the other to the post on the switch (where you removed the other part of the white wire)

If you leave the white wire, just cut it and splice the 2 ends to the 2 ends of the float switch.

A float switch is simply a switch (open / closed). You could put it on any of the wires and it would work.

[danoreef]

is the drip enough to cause problems? or is it just one of those things that bothers you because you personally know its happening, but no one else can tell?

on a side note, i think its kinda funny that this guys build thread turned into an ATO discussion thread. I hope you dont mind??

Not at all. I can definitely use this info.

[danoreef]

I pick up a new digital thermometer from my Local Fish Store. It was relatively inexpensive, so I hope it works good. With algae growing all over the glass thermometer I couldn’t even see the numbers. So far I love the look (very clean) and its very simple, only one little wire with a small probe on the end goes into the tank. I don’t think I’ll be going back to the glass suction cup type again.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/NewThermostat.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/thermostatWire.jpg

[joshh81]

Not at all. I can definitely use this info.

It has actually stopped doing that. Well to be specific I fixed the issue. The outlet tube going to the tank was lengthened by about a foot and half. It made the line have sort of a "drip loop" look and it hasnt done it since.

It was never a rapid drip and most likely wouldnt have ever effected anything. It would just drip a small drop every 10 seconds or so. It was more just me trying to be a perfectionist. I should have learned long ago that with DIY there never is perfection. :fun4:

[100%hydrophylic]

which is better? i dont want to get one thats extremely noisy like the one in the video, but i also dont want to pay too much if its the same exact thing

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3692

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3693

[dogstar74]

They are all really noisy. If I were you, I would get a timer to plug it into so that it only comes on when you are not in the room. Plus it would keep the pump from cycling on and off several times a day. It would only be on twice a day for about 30 minutes. You could do this by replacing the batteries with a wall wart hardwired to the contacts then plug the wall wart into a timer.

Just my .02
Aaron

[100%hydrophylic]

well if i do that i might as well somehow rig a normal air pump to a float valve lol.

[jauld]

which is better? i dont want to get one thats extremely noisy like the one in the video, but i also dont want to pay too much if its the same exact thing

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3692

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3693

Unfortunately I do not have any experience with either of the above mentioned pumps.

However, If you want a quiet pump, I would suggest going to wal-mart, a local fish store, or a bait and tackle shop, and testing out the ones they have there before making a purchase.

The price difference on this item between online and in-store is minimal.

[100%hydrophylic]

i can live with a noisy humming. i have fans in the setup already that hum, my fan for my room is kinda noisy, and the heater/air conditioner in my house is noisy as well. i just dont want one that rattles and sounds like something is about to blow up lol.

[jauld]

i can live with a noisy humming. i have fans in the setup already that hum, my fan for my room is kinda noisy, and the heater/air conditioner in my house is noisy as well. i just dont want one that rattles and sounds like something is about to blow up lol.

the pump in the video really isnt that bad. The reason why its so loud is because the pump is open, exposing the mechanical stuff inside. Normally, its closed, and behind the tank or housed in a stand. I really wouldnt worry about it too much.

You can always change it later on too and still be under the cost of a traditional automatic top off system

[100%hydrophylic]

oh yea, thats true. thanks!

[joshh81]

They arent that bad in terms of noise. Mine only comes on once or at worst twice a day. It only stays on for about 15 seconds and then goes off. Fair trade for me to not have to top off manually.

[Travis1787]

You also can wrap it ina towel and it muffles it even more ... I have to do it with mine cause its in my step sons rooms and its noisy enough if he is sleeping so I wrapped it ina kitch size towel and it muffles it a lot

[danoreef]

I decided to try a float valve, with a battery operated air pump to top off the aquarium. Since I top off approx. 1 gallon of water a week I need a larger reservoir, so I had to come up with a different plan from the the last top off I posted here. Here are some pictures of the top off that I am trying now.
http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/BatteryOpAiPrump.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/BatteryOpAirPump2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/AirpumpWired.jpg
I cut the wire that was on the positive terminals and spliced the wires from the float valve. Now it will act like a simple on off switch.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FloatValveandAirpump2.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FloatValveBracket.jpg
I made the brackets from acrylic that I cut to size then heated and bent them as needed. I used acrylic glue weld-on to glue the brackets to the tank.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FloatValve3.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ReturnLineBracket.jpg
With the return bracket I had to make a small tunnel out of the acrylic to hold the hose line steady. the friction from the hose pushing against the bracket is all it needs to hold it in place.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/AirtubeReturn.jpg

[Dipandots]

That ATO looks great! Just what I'm planning on doing.

Anything else new in the tank?

[danoreef]

That ATO looks great! Just what I'm planning on doing.

Anything else new in the tank?

Thank you. I added a few more zoas and a ricordia or two. I will post some new FTS soon.

[danoreef]

Here’s a video featuring two feather dusters that appeared out of nowhere. and my auto top off system. And a few full tank shots…

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[bassplaya12]

Cool!

[pico-reefer]

great tank! and ATO ideas! i just ordered that float switch lol

[danoreef]

great tank! and ATO ideas! i just ordered that float switch lol

Thank you, You can see a video of the ATO on page 4 of the thread. it's where I got the idea.

[Vitae]

Very nice, I'm looking into getting a picotope as well, are you still using the stock lighting or have you upgraded it? I'm having a hard time finding a small enough light that would be a good upgrade.

[danoreef]

Very nice, I'm looking into getting a picotope as well, are you still using the stock lighting or have you upgraded it? I'm having a hard time finding a small enough light that would be a good upgrade.

Yep, still using the stock light. All the softies in the tank seem to like it. No problems yet, although It's almost time to replace the bulbs... I wonder how hard its going to be to find the replacements. :spin2:

[Vitae]

Yep, still using the stock light. All the softies in the tank seem to like it. No problems yet, although It's almost time to replace the bulbs... I wonder how hard its going to be to find the replacements. :spin2:

Nice! I love the price that Dr Fosters and Smith are offering for the jbj picotope so I'll probably pick one up this weekend, and not being an experienced reef keeper (though I am an experianced freshwater fish and live plant keeper, so doing a nano should be a challenge but not impossible for me), I think it would do perfectly. As long as it can comfortably light some of the hardier "beginner" corals then I'm happy :)

Edit: I'm also going to be picking up an Aquaclear 50 to do the 'fuge mod. I used to have an AQ20 but I can't for the life of me find it :( if I do though, the impeller will be used on the 50.

If I do use the AQ50 would the flow be enough so where I wouldn't need an additional powerhead?

[danoreef]

Nice! I love the price that Dr Fosters and Smith are offering for the jbj picotope so I'll probably pick one up this weekend, and not being an experienced reef keeper (though I am an experianced freshwater fish and live plant keeper, so doing a nano should be a challenge but not impossible for me), I think it would do perfectly. As long as it can comfortably light some of the hardier "beginner" corals then I'm happy :)

Edit: I'm also going to be picking up an Aquaclear 50 to do the 'fuge mod. I used to have an AQ20 but I can't for the life of me find it :( if I do though, the impeller will be used on the 50.

If I do use the AQ50 would the flow be enough so where I wouldn't need an additional powerhead?

I have decent flow with he AC 50, although, I am sure that a small power head might give a nice little boost to water movement. For now, and for about the past 4 months the flow from the filter is all I have. all in all I love the little tank, I would definitely recommend these little tanks to anyone wanting to do a little pico-tope Lots of fun.

PS Let me know when you do your tank. Start a thread so we can see the progress.

[danoreef]

Looks like I have a small outbreak of theses little creatures in my 3 gallon desktop tank. They must have come in with a piece of live rock. The last zoanthids colony I bought were on a big chunk of live rock, and a whole bunch of stuff appears to come out of no where on that rock. From what I have read on the internet I believe these are cirratulid worms and that they are beneficial to the tank. They don’t seem to bother anything, ie. cleaner shrimp, corals, snails, or crabs. They eat any food that has made its way to the sand bed. although, when my shrimp died I had to rip it from the clutches of one of these little fellas’. I noticed the first one about 3 months ago, and since then I now have about five of them. I sucked out two with a turkey baster to see what they were, they were not attached to anything and came right up. I could be wrong about these things being cirratulid worms but I scoured the internet trying to find anything about ‘stringy tentacles coming out of live sand bed’ and found a whole bunch of stuff. The most popular being spaghetti worms, but what I have doesn’t look like any of the pictures of the spaghetti worms I seen. If anyone can confirm it, or tell me what they think these are I would greatly appreciate it.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cirratulid-worms1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cirratulid-worms.jpg

[danoreef]

Here are some new pictures of my 3 gallon desktop aquarium. but first some sad news. On Monday we had turned the air conditioner of in the house and opened windows and before I noticed it and fixed it, the tanks temp was 90 degrees. Everything seemed ok but when I woke the next morning my cleaner shrimp was dead. RIP Sharp. He got his name from my daughter who at 2 years old would always call him a sharp and not shrimp. I was going to post these updated pictures of the tank last week but i never got to it. here are some updated pics.
http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/feather-duster.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Xenias.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/small-red-zoas.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/orange-zoas.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/orange-ric.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/left-side.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/FTS-8-20-2010.jpg

[Siren's Eye]

Very nice tank! I love the water bottle idea, and might try it on my 5 gallon.

[danoreef]

Very nice tank! I love the water bottle idea, and might try it on my 5 gallon.

Thank you. As you can see that I opted to change the water bottle to a battery operated air driven top off system with a float valve. Well, after it overflowed twice I have now gone back to the 32 oz water bottle top off, that has never given me one single problem. I just can't leave well enough alone.:spin1:

[gkaquatic]

any suggestions on where to get a float valve? i going to try the water bottle type first but if it doesnt work the air pump version is next.

[Durbelethwen]

I have been seriously considering starting a three gallon nano reef but had not found a thread that talked about one so small. My question is: what kind of protein skimmer do you use in your tank? I have been looking around for one and the smallest one I found found so far is for a fourteen gallon, or will I be able to use that one? Thank you.

[palmer373]

any updates? i have the same exact tank but considering how much work this tank can and cant be ive just jot even bothered with it unfortunately, too many tanks for me to mantain lol. just an FYI but there is a lid that comes with this tank and it WILL cut down on the evap a lot.

[joshvito]

this is a great thread.
wanted to post to subscribe.

danoreef, i look forward to your updates.
Also, how much sand did you use in the tank? Does your heater fit into the filter?

[Ethan_W]

Looks like I have a small outbreak of theses little creatures in my 3 gallon desktop tank. They must have come in with a piece of live rock. The last zoanthids colony I bought were on a big chunk of live rock, and a whole bunch of stuff appears to come out of no where on that rock. From what I have read on the internet I believe these are cirratulid worms and that they are beneficial to the tank. They don’t seem to bother anything, ie. cleaner shrimp, corals, snails, or crabs. They eat any food that has made its way to the sand bed. although, when my shrimp died I had to rip it from the clutches of one of these little fellas’. I noticed the first one about 3 months ago, and since then I now have about five of them. I sucked out two with a turkey baster to see what they were, they were not attached to anything and came right up. I could be wrong about these things being cirratulid worms but I scoured the internet trying to find anything about ‘stringy tentacles coming out of live sand bed’ and found a whole bunch of stuff. The most popular being spaghetti worms, but what I have doesn’t look like any of the pictures of the spaghetti worms I seen. If anyone can confirm it, or tell me what they think these are I would greatly appreciate it.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cirratulid-worms1.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cirratulid-worms.jpg

i have a few of these same exact things in my 29g. they dont look harmful but i am never too careful. i havent pulled any of them out yet though

[danoreef]

Well… After much thought I switched to a slightly larger tank. Scraping coraline off of the acrylic without scratching the acrylic was nearly impossible. The new tank is a 5.5 gallon glass aquarium. I am using the same filter the Aqua-clear 50, for now I am using the same light fixture an 18 watt 50/50 power compact fluorescent. I did however , add a small power head for more water movement, that makes me happy. I couldn’t add a power head to the other tank because it was to small and would blast the sand all over the place. I will post new pictures when all the dust settles.
Here are some pictures of the coraline growing on the walls inside the tank. In some pictures you can see just how bad the scratches had gotten.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0922.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0923.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0924.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0925.jpg

The solution
http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0927.jpg

[danoreef]

Here are some pictures of the new 5.5 gallon tank. I went with glass because of how easy it is to scratch the acrylic when scraping coraline algae off the walls of the tank. I am very aware that the Hippo tang will out grow this tank in a relatively short time, however we couldn’t resist her when we saw her at the LFS. I have three kids, just try and tell them they can’t have Dory for their little tank. She will be moved into a much larger tank when she grows. I have to say they do look awesome in the tank. Now I have to work on getting some nice corals to really make this tank pop. Before I do that I will have to upgrade the lighting The tank has an 18 watt 50/50 PC, okay for softies and I mean okay, not okay for anything else.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0940.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0938.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0937.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0932.jpg

[danoreef]

this is a great thread.
wanted to post to subscribe.

danoreef, i look forward to your updates.
Also, how much sand did you use in the tank? Does your heater fit into the filter?

I used half a bag I think it was like a ten pound bag.

[danoreef]

any suggestions on where to get a float valve? i going to try the water bottle type first but if it doesnt work the air pump version is next.

I got the float valve from eBay. $2.60 shipped from China, I don't how they can sell it and ship it from China for that price,, but thats what it was. Good luck, Maybe you'll have better luck then me.

[danoreef]

I have been seriously considering starting a three gallon nano reef but had not found a thread that talked about one so small. My question is: what kind of protein skimmer do you use in your tank? I have been looking around for one and the smallest one I found found so far is for a fourteen gallon, or will I be able to use that one? Thank you.

No skimmer. I do a one gallon water change every week, to eliminate waste and keep good clean healthy system.

[danoreef]

any updates? i have the same exact tank but considering how much work this tank can and cant be ive just jot even bothered with it unfortunately, too many tanks for me to mantain lol. just an FYI but there is a lid that comes with this tank and it WILL cut down on the evap a lot.

I scrapped that little tank, I love the thought of making that little tank into a pico reef but the acrylic scratched to easy when I cleaned the coraline off the walls. So I swapped it out for a 5.5 glass tank.

[danoreef]

i have a few of these same exact things in my 29g. they dont look harmful but i am never too careful. i havent pulled any of them out yet though

They multiply quickly. As you said they don't seem to cause any harm, nothing seems bothered by them.... So I guess, we leave 'em.

[Agu]

They multiply quickly. As you said they don't seem to cause any harm, nothing seems bothered by them.... So I guess, we leave 'em.

They are spaghetti worms and they're great to have in a tank. The parts above the sand are the feeding tentacles.

Looks like a good restart. My first nano was an acrylic tank and it only took a couple of months for me to decide to go with glass tanks.

You may want to consider replacing the maxijet with a Tunze mini (http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/T5024_04.html). They're half the size of the Maxijets and hold up a long time considering how inexpensive they are.

[danoreef]

They are spaghetti worms and they're great to have in a tank. The parts above the sand are the feeding tentacles.

Looks like a good restart. My first nano was an acrylic tank and it only took a couple of months for me to decide to go with glass tanks.

You may want to consider replacing the maxijet with a Tunze mini (http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/T5024_04.html). They're half the size of the Maxijets and hold up a long time considering how inexpensive they are.

Thank you for the spaghetti worms ID. Maybe I'll switch the power head, I had this one on hand.

[danoreef]

I know with the amount of water changes I do (1 gallon a week) That a protein skimmer isn’t really necessary I figured it couldn’t hurt. heres pictures of my DIY water bottle nano protein skimmer, but first the cost breakdown;
water bottle $1.00 x 2
airline $ .30
Air pump $8.99
wooden air stone $2.00
——————–
for a grand total = $13.29
and it really works!!!!!

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water-bottle.jpg
a regular plastic water bottle

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water_bottle_no_bottom.jpg
cut the bottom out

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water_bottle_airline.jpg
drill a small hole and squeeze the air line through.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water_bottle_collection_cup_and_PVC_neck.jpg
I applied PVC glue to the half inch PVC pipe and slid the collection cup up from the bottom. this way a small build of glue sits in the collection sealing the neck to the cup, no leaks.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water_bottle_collection_cup.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/water_bottle_collection_cup_skimming.jpg
as you can see it really works!

here's a video of the skimmer in action
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[Clavius]

A protein skimmer on a 3g pico, that is wild!

[S13<3]

where did u get the 5.5 gallon, i cant find one anywhere

[danoreef]

where did u get the 5.5 gallon, i cant find one anywhere

I got it at Pet Land Discounts. Did you look at your lfs? if they don't have it I'm pretty sure that these tanks are very common at the pet super stores ie, Petland, Petco, & Petsmart.

[danoreef]

A protein skimmer on a 3g pico, that is wild!

yeah, its really not necessary with the amount of water changes I do. But it did start pulling a little gunk out, so I guess it can only help. I am getting some micro bubbles, so I will leave the skimmer on for a little while if if doesn't pull out to much then I will remove it.

[danoreef]

Here's an update on the water bottle skimmer, I made a new collection cup to replace the one I made out of a 2 liter bottle. the new cup is much smaller, but the neck is taller so it will hold more int he collection cup.

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_1006.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_1008.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_1010.jpg

http://danoreef.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_1011.jpg

I am truly amazed at how good this skimmer works.

[map95003]

nice setup....but dude, the tang police is gonna get you. lol

[danoreef]

nice setup....but dude, the tang police is gonna get you. lol

No Kidding, lol. But nobody needs to worry... she'll be outta there before she even grows a quarter of an inch.

[dontgetbit]

Nice little setup. I am in the process of setting up a 10g, so its nice to see some neat ideas.

What light is on the 5.5g? I almost bought a 5.5g when Petco had the $1 per gallon sell but decided to stick with the free 10g I had.

[danoreef]

Nice little setup. I am in the process of setting up a 10g, so its nice to see some neat ideas.

What light is on the 5.5g? I almost bought a 5.5g when Petco had the $1 per gallon sell but decided to stick with the free 10g I had.

Thank you, I just bought the Ecoxotic par 38 spotlight. I have it rigged until I get the right fixture. I have it raised up a little over a foot over the tank, Nothing seemed to suffer any type of shock from changing the light Power compact to LED. Just looking at the tank, there is a huge improvement in lighting. LED the future of reef tank lighting.

[danoreef]

Hugeeeee mistake putting that tang in this little tank! Now that the 110 gallon is all set up and cycled, I have been trying for about a week now, and can not catch this fish. Tonight I will try when the light are out and the fish is in its little comatose kind of sleep. Wish me luck.

[danoreef]

Success!!! i will post pics later today.

[danoreef]

So funny the damsels are bigger than my hippo tang. Looks weird!

[dogstar74]

Another hint, if you drain the tank down to 1" of water, then you've removed the Z axis for the fish to get away. Then all you have to do is trap in the X,Y axis. It makes catching fish so much easier, and with only 5 gallons, a bucket would do you. then just replace the water when you're done.

Cheers,
Aaron

[bruce922]

I made a DIY battery powered ATO, very easy and cheap actually.

[danoreef]

I made a DIY battery powered ATO, very easy and cheap actually.

Nice job!!! The float you used looks better than the one I used (Made in china off eBay). The float got stuck down twice and I removed it after it flooded my desk foer the second time. I went back to old faithful, my gravity fed water bottle ATO.

[Bamm Bamm]

Nice looking tank I gotta find my battery powered air pump to make a ato for my 3g now=)... Do you remember what full switch you ordered?

[NT Nano]

I am preparing to set up a 12 gal nano, and have really appreciated your experiences with ATO's. Not sure what I will end up with yet, but lots of much-appreciated food for thought, and of course I am happy to learn from your prototypes :). Having fun watching this tank develop! Thanks!

[danoreef]

Nice looking tank I gotta find my battery powered air pump to make a ato for my 3g now=)... Do you remember what full switch you ordered?

Thanks Bamm Bamm. I don't remember what name brand switch it was. it was the cheapest one on eBay, Funny thing was that it was something like 3 bucks with free shipping from china and it arrived in like 3 days. I got what I paid for.

[danoreef]

I am preparing to set up a 12 gal nano, and have really appreciated your experiences with ATO's. Not sure what I will end up with yet, but lots of much-appreciated food for thought, and of course I am happy to learn from your prototypes :). Having fun watching this tank develop! Thanks!

Thank you :beer:
I have to take some new pics and some video of the tank. I guess I get to that when I have time... ...never. I hope to get to soon.