Pico (De Gallo) Aquatop Zen 5g

[mjoener]

I have been out of the hobby since late 2011 and I decided I would get back into it with a little tank!

My goal is to get a nice Zoa/Ricordia garden going on.

I picked up a Zen Nano 5g Glass from the LFS.

This setup doesn't have a skimmer, it is just a little internal pump moving things through some biomedia and ceramic cylinders.

I am adding a powerhead, pushing 256gph - AquaTop.

Bought just over 5 lbs of manmade LR that was aged in the ocean.

Added about 6-7 lbs of sand as well.

These are from 11/13 when I bought the tank.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0235.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0235.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0237.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0237.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0238.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0238.jpg.html)

[mjoener]

I got some items tonight and will be posting some more pics soon.

[mjoener]

Here are some of the new things:

LED Set up is 1w
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0389.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0389.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0390.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0390.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0391.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0391.jpg.html)

New Tankmates:
Yellow Watchmen
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0386.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0386.jpg.html)

Candy Cane Pistol
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0387.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/IMG_0387.jpg.html)

[AZReefJunkie]

That is the aqua traders light isn't it? How do you like it? Color and growth wise

[mjoener]

That is the aqua traders light isn't it? How do you like it? Color and growth wise

I just got it today. It's not branded but I think that is what the LFS said. I plan on getting some corals this coming Saturday and will be updating then.

[mjoener]

UPDATE:

Today when I got home the goby looked fine in his container, however, the Cherub was hiding deep in the rock. Didn't think much of it until I fed some mysis and got no reaction.

I just the pump off and the Cherub made a dash to the top!

I called the LFS and they had me bring them in.

Unfortunately the Cherub didn't make it but the goby was still ok. So I'm having the LFS hold it until I figure out what's going on.

They ran some tests and said I was a showing a reading of some nitrate and a little nitrite. Salinity was 1.024. Ph was just around 8. Didn't ask bout phos.

When I got home I decided to do a 50% wc and found that my pistol shrimp is still digging around! So I'm even more confused.

My plan has now become to go fishless for awhile and focus on getting things in order. I'll be picking up a cuc this weekend at the swap and will be going from there.

I also changed the set up in the filter area. I took out the bio-balls and the ceramic cylinders. I placed GFO and carbon in two of the filter buckets and placed filter pad over the top grate. Hopefully this will catch most of the large waste and keep the water clean.

[OrQidz]

did you cycle the tank and all that? May have been a bit early to add fish. In any case, sounds like you are on track now. Nice little tank. Does it have a separate filter area towards the back? I like the overflow part, looks nice and tidy.

[mjoener]

did you cycle the tank and all that? May have been a bit early to add fish. In any case, sounds like you are on track now. Nice little tank. Does it have a separate filter area towards the back? I like the overflow part, looks nice and tidy.

I must have thought wrong. Basically, I got some cured LR from the LFS. Which I let sit for about 5 days, thought I would see a spike by then. Nothing appeared on the tests. The cherub was doing well for 4 days.

I am wondering if it was the feeding. It's not an easy thing to get the right amount of food in the system without making a tornado of waste.

I'm going to post some pics of the filtration.

[mjoener]

Here are some shots of the Black Ray and the tupperware that I modified for him.
Here he is the first night. Trying to escape and getting caught in the overflow. I drilled a ton of holes in this container and put the cover on and flipped him over.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/BlackRay1stNightHome3.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/BlackRay1stNightHome3.jpg.html)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/BlackRay1stNightHome1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/BlackRay1stNightHome1.jpg.html)

Here he is the next day, after I got home from work. He is using the rubble and was breathing normally. When I tried to feed, he didn't even move, so I knew something was wrong.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/BlackRayAfterWork2.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/BlackRayAfterWork2.jpg.html)

[mjoener]

Here are some shots of the new filtration that I am running in the tank.
Here is the overflow, it is like this on both sides of the back pillar.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Overflow.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Overflow.jpg.html)

Filter sponge over the top grate.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/FilterPad.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/FilterPad.jpg.html)

Back of the tank, showing the filter boxes. There was initially three, I filled the first one with carbon and the second with GFO. I removed the third one, and will likely put some rubble back there eventually.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/BackoftheFilter.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/BackoftheFilter.jpg.html)

Here's one of the boxes, not sure if I should just remove all of them and let the carbon and GFO sit in there.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/FilterBox1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/FilterBox1.jpg.html)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/lrmFilterBox2.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/lrmFilterBox2.jpg.html)

[mjoener]

It looks like I will need to check in and change the filter pad daily.

[Travis55]

Lookin good. Your last rnd of pics didn't show up. A cherub angel in a 5 gal is too small. That might have been the problem. He may have gotten to freaked out and hit the glass ir something. I definitely wouldnt know. Keep the pics coming!!!

[mjoener]

Can anyone help me with details about lighting? Since these are LEDs is there anything I need to be doing? I see a ton of people indicating how they "ramp" the light or only having it on for 3 hours then supplementing with something else. My guess is that their lights are much higher wattage than the 1w I am using but, then how long should I leave mine on throughout the day? 9 hours?

Since three of the bulbs are blue, do they serve as my actinics? I feel like they are too bright to be moon-lighting.

[AZReefJunkie]

Those are royal blue LEDs. They serve to supply the corals with usable light for photosynthesis as well as making the light bluer to give it a more pleasing appearance. To "ramp" the lights is to slowly dim them on and off. It requires dimmable drivers and that fixture doesn't have them, plus some method of controlling the dimmers. The lighting schedule is a much debated topic and I won't get too much into it except to say do what you like and more importantly what your corals respond favorably to. Hope that helps.

[Wilrok]

How much does a little setup like that run ?

[mjoener]

Thanks AZreefJunkie!

[mjoener]

How much does a little setup like that run ?

The tank itself was about $80, the light $70. You can find both for less online but I wanted to get back in with my LFS's ;)

[willfly4food]

Are you running a sump for it too?

[mjoener]

Are you running a sump for it too?

No sump. Just internal filtration.

[mjoener]

Last Saturday I went to my local swap and picked up a bunch of Zoa frags.

All of the Zoa frags are doing great! I'm trying to get some good shots of them under the Blue LEDs, however, it's very difficult. So I will probably just load up some shots of them in the regular light. I'm horrible with names so I will need some help with IDs.

Picked up some screaming deals at the Black Friday Sale at LFS! 10 snails and 20 hermits and 3 emeralds. Probably more than I need, lol.

I did a 50% water change and will do some tests after everything is settled again.

I also picked up a replacement Black Ray Goby. Tiny little guy, maybe an inch. Acclimating everything now.

[mjoener]

UPDATE:
I also picked up some more LR today.
FTS
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FTS11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FTS11-29-13.jpg.html)
Left Side
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/LeftSide11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/LeftSide11-29-13.jpg.html)
Right Side
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/RightSide11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/RightSide11-29-13.jpg.html)

Here are the Zoas I bought at the SWAP.
Green Dragon Eyes
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/GreenDragonEyesBIG11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/GreenDragonEyesBIG11-29-13.jpg.html)

Yellow Zoas that I won from the Raffle
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/YellowZoas11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/YellowZoas11-29-13.jpg.html)

Purplish/Pink Zoas
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/PurpleZoas11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/PurpleZoas11-29-13.jpg.html)

Purplish/Green Zoas:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/PurpleGreenZoas11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/PurpleGreenZoas11-29-13.jpg.html)

Orange Centered Zoas:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangeZoas11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangeZoas11-29-13.jpg.html)

Supermans:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/SupermanZoa11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/SupermanZoa11-29-13.jpg.html)

Some Bright Orange on left/ I think Purple People Eaters?:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangeZoaswPPE11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangeZoaswPPE11-29-13.jpg.html)

[mjoener]

Orange/Purple Zoas:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangePurpleZoas11-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/OrangePurpleZoas11-29-13.jpg.html)

New Black Ray Goby
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BlackRayGobyMichaelangelo211-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BlackRayGobyMichaelangelo211-29-13.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BlackRayGobyMichaelangelo111-29-13.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BlackRayGobyMichaelangelo111-29-13.jpg.html)

[noodle_083]

Having problem looking at the pics of the new filtration system. Can you repost them again, thanks in advance.

[mjoener]

DOes this work?

Here is the overflow, it is like this on both sides of the back pillar.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/Overflow.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/Overflow.jpg.html)

Filter sponge over the top grate, already dirty!http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FilterPad.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FilterPad.jpg.html)

Back of the tank, showing the filter boxes. There was initially three, I filled the first one with carbon and the second with GFO. I removed the third one, and will likely put some rubble back there eventually.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BackoftheFilter.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/BackoftheFilter.jpg.html)

Here's one of the boxes, not sure if I should just remove all of them and let the carbon and GFO sit in there.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FilterBox1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/FilterBox1.jpg.html)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/lrmFilterBox2.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/lrmFilterBox2.jpg.html)

[mjoener]

I got rid of the yellow polyps, traded it in for two frags. I'll try to get some pics.

I'm thinking of upgrading my lights. Looking at the Nano Box Mini Flare or a Par 38 from Reef Breeders or something like it.

Any advice on either of these?

[mjoener]

So I have been dosing Nano Code A & B everyday at 2.5ml. It's from Brightwell Aquatics. I hadn't heard of them before, wondering if anyone knows anything about them?
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeA-1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeA-1.jpg.html)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeB-1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeB-1.jpg.html)
I haven't really seen any new growth. I posted in the Zoa forum to see if anyone is using something more specific to Zoas. Looks like lights are where it's at. I am thinking of upgrading the lights. Maybe a Nano Box Reef.
http://nanoboxreef.com/
Anyone on here use one of these?
I was thinking that this would make a great xmas gift... for my tank, it deserves something!
Something like this will make it really easy to turn this thing into a frag tank in the future after my upgrade.

[mjoener]

So I have been dosing Nano Code A & B everyday at 2.5ml. It's from Brightwell Aquatics. I hadn't heard of them before, wondering if anyone knows anything about them?

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeA-1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeA-1.jpg.html)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeB-1.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/kbpmbabay/media/Pico%20De%20Gallo/NanoCodeB-1.jpg.html)

I haven't really seen any new growth. Looks like lights are where it's at.

I am thinking of upgrading the lights.
Maybe a Nano Box Reef.
http://nanoboxreef.com/

Anyone on here use one of these?
I was thinking that this would make a great xmas gift... for my tank, it deserves something!

Something like this will make it really easy to turn this thing into a frag tank in the future after my upgrade.

[mjoener]

Update:
I am thinking of getting some HOB protein skimmer. I figure this might help me cut down on water changes and help keep my fish alive!

What are some good options? I'm looking for quite and sleek. $ isn't a huge factor, I mean I don't have a million dollars but triple digits might be worth it.

I also bought a Par 38 LED 24w 20k from Coral Compulsion. Hopefully I will get it this week.

Speaking of fish, I bought a pair of tiny Pink Skunk Clowns from the LFS yesterday. My other livestock either jumped or was not hardy enough. These two are cautious but doing really well.

I also picked up about 15 zoas frags from a local club member who downsized. I'll be getting some pics soon!

[fade2black]

I would find out why you keep losing fish. What are your water parameters and how do you test them? Did the tank ever actually cycle? I know you said you started with LR but you still should have seen some kind of cycle Am > Ni > Na.

[mjoener]

I would find out why you keep losing fish. What are your water parameters and how do you test them? Did the tank ever actually cycle? I know you said you started with LR but you still should have seen some kind of cycle Am > Ni > Na.


My parameters have been consistent for the past two weeks. The highest is currently 5 Nitrate. I believe this to be from feeding.

I will continue to watch my parameters closely, I'm testing 2x daily for the above mentioned levels.