Pico 20g - First tank / new experience.

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 03:21 PM

Hello,

My name is Alexey and I'm from Raleigh, NC. Last Christmas I've started my first reef tank. Pico 20g. I would like to share it here, I'm pretty sure I'll have more questions about and this place looks great. Here is my current setup.

Setup:

Tank: PicO 20G
Skimmer and air pump: PicO SkiM 2.0 with Tetra Whisper 40.
Stand: PicO 20G stand
Light: Kessil 360WE
Controller: Kessil Controller
Pump: P10 Vortech
ATO: Tunze 3152 Automatic Top off Nano

Start: December, 2014
Last Update: November 2, 2015

Livestock:

x1 Fire Shrimp
x1 Pistol Candy Shrimp paired with (*)
x1 Yellow Gobby (*)
x1 Clownfish
x1 Christmas Wrasse
x1 Anthias

Dosing:

x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Sponge Power
x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Coral Vitalizer Coral Food
-- These two are in rotation every other day.

Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each.

CUC:

x12 Small Hermits
x12 Black Foot Trochus Snails
And more more from reefcleaners.org

Corals:

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 03:22 PM

Last addition:

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 03:27 PM

Liverocks update:

After 10 months from the start I've decided to "upgrade" my rocks. I've started my system with BRS Pukani Dry Live Rock and I've decided to change 75% of the rocks to Tbsaltwater live rocks. Here is few shots of how they looks like and what you can found on them.

Some cool things I found on them:

Very happy with these rocks!

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 03:32 PM

After 11 months and this is today! I've started to dose my system.

Dosing:

x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Sponge Power
x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Coral Vitalizer Coral Food
-- These two are in rotation every other day.

Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each.

Possible will need adjustments.

homer1475 · 11/02/2015, 03:37 PM

Great looking tank!!

I would say your doing something right just by the look of your tank.

Welcome to RC. Ask away, there is a plethora of knowledge around here, and most are more then willing to share their knowledge. Just keep in mind, we are not here to sell you anything, so most of our advice is to help you rather then give bad advice and sell you more stuff(most, but not all LFS's are like this).

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 03:53 PM

Thank you very much homer1475.

Sure, I understand.

homer1475 · 11/02/2015, 05:32 PM

Great looking tank!!

I would say your doing something right just by the look of your tank.

Welcome to RC. Ask away, there is a plethora of knowledge around here, and most are more then willing to share their knowledge. Just keep in mind, we are not here to sell you anything, so most of our advice is to help you rather then give bad advice and sell you more stuff(most, but not all LFS's are like this).

liverock · 11/02/2015, 06:42 PM

Very nice photography of the new 2.1 rock...I am amazed what is showing up on it in my customers tanks...but your camera work is amazing...are you and D2mini related? LOL

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

Berlibee · 11/02/2015, 06:51 PM

Hi Richard, thank you.

Hehehe no, not related lol.

KingBlingTx · 11/02/2015, 10:23 PM

Looking good! Has the Christmas wrasse been behaving itself in your tank?

Berlibee · 11/03/2015, 05:34 AM

Thank you KingBlingTx, he was super shy for months. Always behind the rocks. And his behavior totally changed after we've added clownfish. They're super happy together, playing and swimming together all around, very cool to watch. Anthias was added last and only a week ago, I see that wrasse chase her time to time.

kalosbios · 11/03/2015, 07:32 AM

Very cool looking tank--love the new rock. Most of the fun in a reef tank comes from watching things appear and grow!

Thanks for sharing--I'll be following along.

Gordon

Berlibee · 11/03/2015, 07:36 AM

Glad you like it! Thank you kalosbios.

Yes indeed it's super fun. I'm planing to add some SPS next week. Maybe 3 little frags to see how it's going to work.

Berlibee · 11/04/2015, 07:02 AM

I'm feeding with frozen food 75% of the time so I've added a defroster to the system. This little tool is awesome, really happy that I've ordered one: Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget - Gourmet Defroster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiTbuENoCBg

Grymmy95 · 11/04/2015, 08:02 AM

I have to agree on the Defroster, I have loved mine, but I have noticed that it does work better with a direct current, which my spin streams do not provide, so mine takes a little longer, but still nice that I don't have to thaw it in a cup.

Berlibee · 11/04/2015, 08:08 AM

I've closed all the holes and left only three small one and I think it's still give the food too fast. I need try the "feeding mode" on the pump next time, the flow is to hard. Still need to understand how it's working better but anyway it's awesome!

I don't even know how I can upgrade my system now. Maybe time to start saving for Neptune Systems Apex AquaController and DOS Packages hehehe ....

Berlibee · 11/04/2015, 08:10 AM

I'm also thinking maybe it's easier to dose with Salifert All-In-One once a week at the place of Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each.... hmmmm .....

Berlibee · 11/05/2015, 08:31 AM

Started dosing Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 3 ml. of each.

4th day - alkalinity doesn't changing everyday the test showing 7.0

Berlibee · 11/06/2015, 07:37 AM

Looks like E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 3 ml. of each. it's my montaning levels dose. Dosing for 5 days - alkalinity and calcium stabilized on the same level. Changed to 5ml. a day to get to the desired levels.

tjohnson27209 · 11/06/2015, 07:57 AM

Looking good...Raleigh resident here as well.

Where do you get most of your livestock? Locally or online? Nice looking corals is why I'm asking haha

Kessil's working out good for you it looks like, I've got a 160WE on my 10gallon

Berlibee · 11/06/2015, 08:17 AM

I really like

http://www.legendary-corals.com/
http://www.piecesoftheocean.com/

But I've ordered there only twice in the beginning.
Fish Room is just a terrible place, quality is super low and I really like ReefKeepers, they're have awesome corals.

And what about you Tyler?

Berlibee · 11/06/2015, 08:56 AM

I've got yesterday a new little guy, first Acropora in the tank. I'm not sure that it was the right choice, I know it's hard to keep it but I really want to try.

tjohnson27209 · 11/06/2015, 04:54 PM

Sweet man...yeah reefkeepers locally has the highest quality livestock and corals.... I haven't been because they are so far out but I have also heard great things about Fish Fish Fish out in Plymouth, NC *towards outer banks*

I get most of my stuff online as well... I use to work in a LFS here in the Raleigh area during my college days and just not a fan of most of them these days

Berlibee · 11/06/2015, 06:04 PM

50 bucks delivery killing me !

ReefWreak · 11/06/2015, 06:43 PM

Acropora aren't hard, they just need flow and acclimation to your light. Looks great, good luck with it!

11/02/2015, 03:21 PM	#1
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Pico 20g - First tank / new experience. Hello, My name is Alexey and I'm from Raleigh, NC. Last Christmas I've started my first reef tank. Pico 20g. I would like to share it here, I'm pretty sure I'll have more questions about and this place looks great. Here is my current setup. Setup: Tank: PicO 20G Skimmer and air pump: PicO SkiM 2.0 with Tetra Whisper 40. Stand: PicO 20G stand Light: Kessil 360WE Controller: Kessil Controller Pump: P10 Vortech ATO: Tunze 3152 Automatic Top off Nano Start: December, 2014 Last Update: November 2, 2015 Livestock: x1 Fire Shrimp x1 Pistol Candy Shrimp paired with () x1 Yellow Gobby () x1 Clownfish x1 Christmas Wrasse x1 Anthias Dosing: x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Sponge Power x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Coral Vitalizer Coral Food -- These two are in rotation every other day. Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each. CUC: x12 Small Hermits x12 Black Foot Trochus Snails And more more from reefcleaners.org Corals: Last edited by Berlibee; 11/02/2015 at 03:33 PM.

11/02/2015, 03:37 PM	#5
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Great looking tank!! I would say your doing something right just by the look of your tank. Welcome to RC. Ask away, there is a plethora of knowledge around here, and most are more then willing to share their knowledge. Just keep in mind, we are not here to sell you anything, so most of our advice is to help you rather then give bad advice and sell you more stuff(most, but not all LFS's are like this). __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/02/2015, 05:32 PM	#7
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Great looking tank!! I would say your doing something right just by the look of your tank. Welcome to RC. Ask away, there is a plethora of knowledge around here, and most are more then willing to share their knowledge. Just keep in mind, we are not here to sell you anything, so most of our advice is to help you rather then give bad advice and sell you more stuff(most, but not all LFS's are like this). __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/02/2015, 06:42 PM	#8
liverock RC Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Tampa Posts: 3,836	Awesome live rock pics! Very nice photography of the new 2.1 rock...I am amazed what is showing up on it in my customers tanks...but your camera work is amazing...are you and D2mini related? LOL Richard TBS www.tbsaltwater.com __________________ Rock-On! Madelyn & Jocelyn www.tbsaltwater.com Find us on Instagram tbs_liverockrocks Current Tank Info: mixed reef

11/03/2015, 07:32 AM	#12
kalosbios Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lans-en-Vercors, France (near Grenoble) Posts: 68	Very cool looking tank--love the new rock. Most of the fun in a reef tank comes from watching things appear and grow! Thanks for sharing--I'll be following along. Gordon __________________ Gordon Current Tank Info: coming soon...120l nano

11/02/2015, 03:22 PM	#2
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Last addition:

11/02/2015, 03:27 PM	#3
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Liverocks update: After 10 months from the start I've decided to "upgrade" my rocks. I've started my system with BRS Pukani Dry Live Rock and I've decided to change 75% of the rocks to Tbsaltwater live rocks. Here is few shots of how they looks like and what you can found on them. Some cool things I found on them: Very happy with these rocks!

11/02/2015, 03:32 PM	#4
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	After 11 months and this is today! I've started to dose my system. Dosing: x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Sponge Power x1 Drop - Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Coral Vitalizer Coral Food -- These two are in rotation every other day. Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each. Possible will need adjustments.

11/02/2015, 03:53 PM	#6
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you very much homer1475. Sure, I understand.

11/02/2015, 06:51 PM	#9
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Hi Richard, thank you. Hehehe no, not related lol.

11/02/2015, 10:23 PM	#10
KingBlingTx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 57	Looking good! Has the Christmas wrasse been behaving itself in your tank?

11/03/2015, 05:34 AM	#11
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you KingBlingTx, he was super shy for months. Always behind the rocks. And his behavior totally changed after we've added clownfish. They're super happy together, playing and swimming together all around, very cool to watch. Anthias was added last and only a week ago, I see that wrasse chase her time to time.

11/03/2015, 07:36 AM	#13
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Glad you like it! Thank you kalosbios. Yes indeed it's super fun. I'm planing to add some SPS next week. Maybe 3 little frags to see how it's going to work. __________________ ReefHacks Team Last edited by Berlibee; 11/03/2015 at 07:43 AM.

11/04/2015, 07:02 AM	#14
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	I'm feeding with frozen food 75% of the time so I've added a defroster to the system. This little tool is awesome, really happy that I've ordered one: Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget - Gourmet Defroster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiTbuENoCBg __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/04/2015, 08:02 AM	#15
Grymmy95 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 52	I have to agree on the Defroster, I have loved mine, but I have noticed that it does work better with a direct current, which my spin streams do not provide, so mine takes a little longer, but still nice that I don't have to thaw it in a cup. __________________ My 20G IM Nuvo: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2520194

11/04/2015, 08:08 AM	#16
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	I've closed all the holes and left only three small one and I think it's still give the food too fast. I need try the "feeding mode" on the pump next time, the flow is to hard. Still need to understand how it's working better but anyway it's awesome! I don't even know how I can upgrade my system now. Maybe time to start saving for Neptune Systems Apex AquaController and DOS Packages hehehe .... __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/04/2015, 08:10 AM	#17
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	I'm also thinking maybe it's easier to dose with Salifert All-In-One once a week at the place of Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 2 ml. of each.... hmmmm ..... __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/05/2015, 08:31 AM	#18
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Started dosing Daily - E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 3 ml. of each. 4th day - alkalinity doesn't changing everyday the test showing 7.0 __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/06/2015, 07:37 AM	#19
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Looks like E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 3 ml. of each. it's my montaning levels dose. Dosing for 5 days - alkalinity and calcium stabilized on the same level. Changed to 5ml. a day to get to the desired levels. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/06/2015, 07:57 AM	#20
tjohnson27209 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 135	Looking good...Raleigh resident here as well. Where do you get most of your livestock? Locally or online? Nice looking corals is why I'm asking haha Kessil's working out good for you it looks like, I've got a 160WE on my 10gallon __________________ -Tyler Raleigh, NC Current Tank Info: 10-gallon IM Nuvo

11/06/2015, 08:17 AM	#21
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	I really like http://www.legendary-corals.com/ http://www.piecesoftheocean.com/ But I've ordered there only twice in the beginning. Fish Room is just a terrible place, quality is super low and I really like ReefKeepers, they're have awesome corals. And what about you Tyler? __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/06/2015, 08:56 AM	#22
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	I've got yesterday a new little guy, first Acropora in the tank. I'm not sure that it was the right choice, I know it's hard to keep it but I really want to try. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/06/2015, 04:54 PM	#23
tjohnson27209 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 135	Sweet man...yeah reefkeepers locally has the highest quality livestock and corals.... I haven't been because they are so far out but I have also heard great things about Fish Fish Fish out in Plymouth, NC towards outer banks I get most of my stuff online as well... I use to work in a LFS here in the Raleigh area during my college days and just not a fan of most of them these days __________________ -Tyler Raleigh, NC Current Tank Info: 10-gallon IM Nuvo

11/06/2015, 06:04 PM	#24
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	50 bucks delivery killing me ! __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/06/2015, 06:43 PM	#25
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Acropora aren't hard, they just need flow and acclimation to your light. Looks great, good luck with it!