2.5g Tetra Pico Tank

So I have been thinking of doing something tiny, Have had a empty 10 gallon I wanted to put my betta in, Finally got around to putting him in there so I had his empty tank sitting on my dresser ready for a make over, Decided to covert it over to a salty minI setup, not sure what I want to stock in it to far, I'm open to any ideas. So far this is what I have hope you enjoy this journey as much as I will.

Current setup
2.5g tetra minI bowfront tank
Hydor Pico Evo-Mag Circultaion Pump
Black Petco aquarium sand
3.5lb BRS reef saver rock

Future
25 watt heater
(Maybe) Aquaclear HOB
Budget light not sure yet, may just get corallifebulbs and try it that way or experiment with some bulbs

Stocking
open to suggestions
maybe inverts
maybe some tiny goby
some sexy corals getting jealous of all those beautiful ones I see everyone with lately lol

 

Lol I misread and thought you were setting up a 2.5 gallon tank with plecos and tetras haha! Wish I could be of assistance, but I have no clue about anything saltwater.

 

I read it as tetra pleco as well. I really wanted to see that.

 

Lol I misread and thought you were setting up a 2.5 gallon tank with plecos and tetras haha! Wish I could be of assistance, but I have no clue about anything saltwater.

I read it as tetra pleco as well. I really wanted to see that.

Lol that would be a cool pleco

 

Awesome! So, have you been to Reef Top? They have been in the process of moving... for a looonngg time. Dude told us about the move months ago when we saw that a couple of their bigger tanks were torn down, but we went to the new location several weeks ago and it was still locked up. The reason I mention it is because I haven't been to the old store in a while, so I'm unsure what's still set up there. Anyway, they used to have a very nice pico, mostly full of softies like high-end zoas and some of the brightest clove polyps I've ever seen. Mushroom corals are super hot right now too, with some really bright colors available. You could top the whole thing off with euphyllia. A torch would be really nice, but they are the most dangerous of the euphyllia family. For example, you can crowd hammers and frogspawn, but you better give a torch it's own space. Anyhow, I think it's a good idea to do a softie/LPS reef because they will be more forgiving of nitrates and such, which I'm sure you know increase faster in a smaller water volume.

I'm super excited for this! I know things don't happen overnight, but if you can get that light set up in the next couple of months... well, I'm fairly certain WWC will be having a live sale for their anniversary in July. You can score some very nice corals at a significant discount, plus, we're super lucky to be in Florida because shipping for us is only $15. Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you some tips for success, as WWC live sales are a bit crazy.

 

I'll be following!

Picos are a ton of fun. Take it slow, and you shouldn't have any issues!

 

Awesome! So, have you been to Reef Top? They have been in the process of moving... for a looonngg time. Dude told us about the move months ago when we saw that a couple of their bigger tanks were torn down, but we went to the new location several weeks ago and it was still locked up. The reason I mention it is because I haven't been to the old store in a while, so I'm unsure what's still set up there. Anyway, they used to have a very nice pico, mostly full of softies like high-end zoas and some of the brightest clove polyps I've ever seen. Mushroom corals are super hot right now too, with some really bright colors available. You could top the whole thing off with euphyllia. A torch would be really nice, but they are the most dangerous of the euphyllia family. For example, you can crowd hammers and frogspawn, but you better give a torch it's own space. Anyhow, I think it's a good idea to do a softie/LPS reef because they will be more forgiving of nitrates and such, which I'm sure you know increase faster in a smaller water volume.

I'm super excited for this! I know things don't happen overnight, but if you can get that light set up in the next couple of months... well, I'm fairly certain WWC will be having a live sale for their anniversary in July. You can score some very nice corals at a significant discount, plus, we're super lucky to be in Florida because shipping for us is only $15. Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you some tips for success, as WWC live sales are a bit crazy.

sounds good, I pass by reef top every few days during work and its always locked up lol need to check it out when I get a chance, need to look into mushrooms, hammers and frogspawn. after getting the rfa my coral research took the back burner lol

 

Checked perameters on cycle
1 ppm ammonia
1-2 ppm nitrite
0 nitrate
8.0 ph
1.025 sg

Evaporation has been very good barley a 1/4 cup a week.

 

Wow, just 1/4 cup, and you live in South Florida?

I live in Central Kentucky, and I'm replacing about a liter a day in my 10 gallon. Granted, it's been almost 90 every day for a week or so, but still!

 

Wow, just 1/4 cup, and you live in South Florida?

I live in Central Kentucky, and I'm replacing about a liter a day in my 10 gallon. Granted, it's been almost 90 every day for a week or so, but still!

On my open tanks two liters a day is normal but on my 12g I barley ever have to top off and this pico has a partial lid

 

Gotcha, now that I'm looking at the pics a bit more closely, I see the lid.

Sounds like your cycle is going well. Looking forward to see this guy progress!

 

Checked perameters on cycle
1 ppm ammonia
1-2 ppm nitrite
0 nitrate
8.0 ph
1.025 sg

Evaporation has been very good barley a 1/4 cup a week.

How long has it been cycling? I'm mid-cycle too, and it's been a struggle in the past on this little 5 gallon sw qt. Last time took months until I finally broke down and put sand in what was supposed to be a bare tank. We're back to bare-bottomed, no rock, just a PVC hide, but upgraded the filter media. Still, the nitrite phase is taking forever. Hope your pico cycles faster than mine.

Wow, just 1/4 cup, and you live in South Florida?

Gotta say, this made me laugh. You'd think it's so hot, but if you're dealing with the heat down here you're also dealing with very high humidity. Wouldn't humidity at 100% mean less evaporation? Anyhow, because of those nasty conditions, air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury around here. So, while humidity may be 100% outdoors, inside it's half that and temps are mild. Our 20 gallon with a glass lid needs about 20 oz. of top off water every day.

So, I guess you're topless then Lorekeeper ? Why not throw a lid on it? I use a regular old Aqueon, but cut most of the center strip out, leaving a few inches on each side for support while opening up the middle for light.

 

Air condition is very much a necessity for me even up here!


Currently, yeah, I'm running without a lid. I've just been too lazy to go get the glass lid and cut it to size... I need to do that soon!

 

16 days into the cycle so far, this one is going to be slower because I do not have a heater in it yet, and I keep the house at around 68 so my tank is around 68-70 depending on if the ac is cycled on or off.

Air condition is very much a necessity for me even up here!


Currently, yeah, I'm running without a lid. I've just been too lazy to go get the glass lid and cut it to size... I need to do that soon!

I think AC is necessary all over either the house has too much moisture or not enough lol

How long has it been cycling? I'm mid-cycle too, and it's been a struggle in the past on this little 5 gallon sw qt. Last time took months until I finally broke down and put sand in what was supposed to be a bare tank. We're back to bare-bottomed, no rock, just a PVC hide, but upgraded the filter media. Still, the nitrite phase is taking forever. Hope your pico cycles faster than mine.


Gotta say, this made me laugh. You'd think it's so hot, but if you're dealing with the heat down here you're also dealing with very high humidity. Wouldn't humidity at 100% mean less evaporation? Anyhow, because of those nasty conditions, air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury around here. So, while humidity may be 100% outdoors, inside it's half that and temps are mild. Our 20 gallon with a glass lid needs about 20 oz. of top off water every day.

So, I guess you're topless then Lorekeeper ? Why not throw a lid on it? I use a regular old Aqueon, but cut most of the center strip out, leaving a few inches on each side for support while opening up the middle for light.

 

So my tank is cycled so far, added a marina 8w heater and it keeps the tank at a steady 78-80 degrees much to my surprise is was what my betta use to have in his tank,was having aissue with seafoam looking oil, increased the flow on the power head to max and it took care of it due to increased surface agitation. Ordered a coral bulb 5led par 30 to try on the tank. Have been keeping a eye on euphillia around the lfs. Either a nice euphillia island, zoa island( scared to have them in my room), or maybe a mushroom island.

 

Sounding good so far!

Why would you be scared of having zoas?

 

Sounding good so far!

Why would you be scared of having zoas?

Idk , have never kept them before and all the talk of palytoxin has me cautious. From what I read it only happens when you boil or cut them up. It's probably me be a scared of the unknown

 

I'd say that 99% of the zoas you'd buy at a store (or order online) wouldn't put you at risk of any issue with palytoxin. A lot of the reports you hear are from people who've found zoas/palys growing as hitchikers on live rock. The one that made national news (woman from texas) did that, then said that corals shouldn't be sold to people anymore

I've handled zoas, fragged zoas, and even mushed one by accident with my bare hands. Never had any issues, although when I frag I'll usually wear some gloves and some prescription goggles, just in case.

 

I'd say that 99% of the zoas you'd buy at a store (or order online) wouldn't put you at risk of any issue with palytoxin. A lot of the reports you hear are from people who've found zoas/palys growing as hitchikers on live rock. The one that made national news (woman from texas) did that, then said that corals shouldn't be sold to people anymore

I've handled zoas, fragged zoas, and even mushed one by accident with my bare hands. Never had any issues, although when I frag I'll usually wear some gloves and some prescription goggles, just in case.

Is there growth rate slow?

 

It depends a lot on the specific frag, your tank, etc...

For me, no. But for some people, they're pretty moderate growers. In any case, most aren't invasive.

 

If you want a goby, neon and greenbanded gobies would work

 

The bulb finally arrived I need to do a water change and should be ready to stock, tank is cycled.

 

There's a live sale comin'! LOL Hey, we're in Florida, so discounted shipping. Live sales are kinda crazy, but if I can do it, so can you. Most of my corals are from WWC live sales. There are serious deals to be had. Tagged you on the sale thread on that other forum.

 

There's been a few live sales lately on a few sites. Have had to control myself, school is coming soon and supply time lol.

Removed the sand from the tank, cleaned off all the salt creep and did 100% water change. Tank is ready for stocking. Tempted to pick up a tiny yellow tail damsel soon.

 

so I ended up striping this tank down and shifting some of the components in it. The bulb ended up only lasting 3 weeks then died and the seller refunded me. The power head I ended up pulling and using it in my main display as additional water flow. The heater I left in and the liverock I placed into my 5 gallon which is kind of a hybrid qt tank and has the guts of this tank. I am planning to restart this tank later on down the line when I have gotten my main display in order and have a little more focus on this alone.