Tom@HaslettMI's 2012 pico

[Tom@HaslettMI]

This is the official start of my 2012 nano contest tank thread! My entry will be a pico tank that is just shy of 1.5 gallons. Exact equipment and stocking details are yet to be determined. The stock will mostly be frags of existing corals, and the equipment minimal. Good luck to all of the contestants, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's nanos grow!

Tom

Look ma no livestock!
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0816.jpg

[CalmSeasQuest]

Can't wait to see what you do with a gallon and a half :thumbsup:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Can't wait to see what you do with a gallon and a half :thumbsup:

Hopefully I can make it look nice and keep a few things alive! We shall see.

I just cleaned the tank up and took this picture. The gallon of vinegar is for scale.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0809.jpg

It's an "Ocean Free" brand glass tank. The inside dimensions are 8.7x5.6x6.75 (LxWxH), which equals about 1.4 gallons.

I don't know the tanks history. My parents snagged it for me at a garage sale for the low-low price of 75 cents. Here's to hoping it will win me a $700 LED fixture!

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

The pico hasn't seen water yet...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0811.jpg

I had to visit the local hardware store to get a replacement O-ring for the aquaclear filter. So, now the filter is almost ready. Next I need to find a tiny heater with a thermostat. The tank will be set up in my basement, which is about 60 degrees. If anyone has a suggestion for a good controllable heater that is 6" or less I'm all ears. Finally, I need to decide how I'm going to light this thing. It will either be PCs or LEDs... decisions, decisions.

Thanks,
Tom

[MizTanks]

Sweet lil pico Tom. I used a Tetra 50w heater for 2yrs on my 8g. Very nice little heater for the money, preset temp to 79 :)

[larryandlaura]

Nice pico good luck Tom.

[Sir Patrick]

Cant wait to see what ya do w/ this little tank!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

Progress on the tank has been slow... but I now have a Tetra 50watt heater (thanks for the suggestion MizTanks!) and should have the tank running with saltwater in the next few days.

I'm still not 100% settled on what I will stock in the tank. It will depend largely on the lighting, which looks like it will be LED... if my harebrained scheme works.

Thanks for looking,
Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Tank is running with saltwater! So far just a small piece of rubble sitting on the bare glass. A temporary PC light will suffice until I get the LED components.

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Pics from last night...

It's running 2 9 watt PC bulbs while I wait for LED components to arrive.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0821.jpg

First additions! A small piece of LR and a tiny bit of Xenia from the main tank.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0827.jpg

Thanks for looking!
Tom

[MizTanks]

Sweet start Tom-more more more!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Here's some more...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0828.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0831.jpg

As you can see I added a shallow sand bed this past weekend. I used established sand from my main tank. It's not as crisp white as I'd like... though it could, in part, be from the way-too-old-to-be any-good 10K PC bulb.

This evening I added two pieces of LR and scaped it. They're odds and ends rock that have been in the sump since the main tank upgrade. So far I like it. I'm a little worried that it's too big... I'd like to hear what you think.

I also added a mini brittle star over the weekend. And while scaping I saw an amphipod scurrying across the sand.

Thanks for looking!
Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Lucky post 13!

Stock list:

1 stalk of Xenia* $10.00
<1 sandwich bag of grape caulerpa* $2.00


TOTAL $12.00

* from existing tank

[MizTanks]

Personally I really like that piece of rock. Looks perfect in there and not to big at all :) nice start Tom!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Personally I really like that piece of rock. Looks perfect in there and not to big at all :) nice start Tom!

+1 It has a nice "Zen" feel to it :)

[creefer]

This looks like it's going to be a sweet little pico! Great start.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Update time...

Tank has been doing alright. A little cyano has cropped up (I need to be better about water changes and cleaning the filter pad...) and I added a few frags. Colors on the corals look bad as I'm temporarily using 2 white powerbrite LEDs.

FTS
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0910-1.jpg

Xenia showing some decent growth
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0904.jpg

Yellow sun coral (5 polyps). $10 from chazde at the Lansing swap.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0903.jpg

Zoas. 4 polyp frag from the main tank.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0905.jpg

Grape caulerpa. The original part has died but the new growth is much more dense.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0906.jpg

Another shot that I feel makes the tank look much larger than it is...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0913.jpg

Thank for looking!
Tom

[MizTanks]

Would be a great time to frag your Duncan :)

[cbau45]

Nice start Tom. Can't wait to see how this turns out as it fills in. Keep the updates coming!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

The pico is doing good. The DIY LED is operational... not finished but operational. I did a 25% water change the other evening and the cyano is looking a little better. I also added several more corals... a gorgonian, a couple blue clove polyps, an encrusting gorgonian, and a few mushrooms.

Not-so-great FTS
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0934.jpg

FTS w/ new light
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0932.jpg

New corals
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0938.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0940.jpg

Thanks for looking!
Tom

[WillBattle]

Lookin great Tom! Corals are looking really happy!

[chazde3]

Hey that sun coral looks awfully familiar. Tanks off to a good start

[purerebel]

Looking great Tom!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!


Hey that sun coral looks awfully familiar.
Yup, she came from you at the Lansing swap, and has settled in nicely.

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Just picked this guy/gal up from Preuss.

Awaiting release...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0949.jpg

Free at last!
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0953.jpg

Tom

[Badfish]

Wow, and I thought I had a small pico with 2 gallons. Looks great, I've been trying to get my hands on a Bumble bee shrimp myself.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Wow, and I thought I had a small pico with 2 gallons. Looks great, I've been trying to get my hands on a Bumble bee shrimp myself.

Thanks! I would have preferred to go with a larger pico but this is what I had on hand.

The shrimp is cool but it has not come out from under the arch since I added it. I believe they prefer to be in groups... so I think I'll add another to see if that helps with the reclusiveness. Unfortunately, it was the last bumble bee shrimp at Preuss. However, they thought they may be getting more soon. I'll let you know when they do.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Bumblebees are cool - Nice addition :)

[MizTanks]

Way cool shrimp!

[Badfish]

Thanks! I would have preferred to go with a larger pico but this is what I had on hand.

The shrimp is cool but it has not come out from under the arch since I added it. I believe they prefer to be in groups... so I think I'll add another to see if that helps with the reclusiveness. Unfortunately, it was the last bumble bee shrimp at Preuss. However, they thought they may be getting more soon. I'll let you know when they do.


Cool Thanks!

Have you fed him yet? I know they eat echinoderm feet like Harlequin shrimp but they don't depend on them to survive like the Harles do, so do you have to train them to eat frozen food like a mandarin or will they take whatever you feed them?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Have you fed him yet? I know they eat echinoderm feet like Harlequin shrimp but they don't depend on them to survive like the Harles do, so do you have to train them to eat frozen food like a mandarin or will they take whatever you feed them?

I have hear the same about their feeding habits. I assume he's eating, but have not witnessed it yet. There are asterina stars and mini brittle stars in there, and I feed a pellet or two or a mysis to the tank each day. I also believe I read that they're tend to be nocturnal.

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I tallied up the current cost of corals for the pico. Now if I could only figure out how to post an EXCEL table... Could someone please enlighten me?

Thanks,
Tom

[CalmSeasQuest]

I tallied up the current cost of corals for the pico. Now if I could only figure out how to post an EXCEL table... Could someone please enlighten me?

Thanks,
Tom
Insert the Table tags (spreadsheet symbol first icon/3rd row) and paste your table inbetween the tags.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks CSQ!

Here it is...
2012 Pico livestock list

Species Price/unit # units Total price
"Eagle eye" zoa $2.00 4 $8.00
Thin gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Grape macroalgae $2.00 1 $2.00
Spotted shroom $10.00 2 $20.00
Striped shroom $10.00 1 $10.00
Xenia $10.00 1 $10.00
Yellow sun coral $10.00 1 $10.00
Encrusting Gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Green sinularia $20.00 1 $20.00
Green caulastrea $10.00 4 $40.00
Orange cap. $10.00 1 $10.00
Pocillipora $10.00 1 $10.00
Radioactive zoa $2.00 5 $10.00
GRAND TOTAL $170.00

Other news...

Made a slight error when resetting the timer for daylight saving "spring ahead" and managed to delete the "off" setting. It only took me a week to figure out why the tank was an algae filled mess...:duh: The timer has been reprogrammed and the algae is subsiding. I'll post some pics once the algae is a little more under control.

The bumblebee shrimp is becoming more brave and venturing out from under the rock. I even managed to "hand feed" it some mysis with forceps this evening. So far it has not been dining on the asterina stars... at least not that I can tell.

Tom

[jimsflies]

Very impressive...I did a quick calculation and your tank is stocked at a level of $850/cubic foot!

[Badfish]

Here it is...
2012 Pico livestock list

Species Price/unit # units Total price
"Eagle eye" zoa $2.00 4 $8.00
Thin gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Grape macroalgae $2.00 1 $2.00
Spotted shroom $10.00 2 $20.00
Striped shroom $10.00 1 $10.00
Xenia $10.00 1 $10.00
Yellow sun coral $10.00 1 $10.00
Encrusting Gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Green sinularia $20.00 1 $20.00
Green caulastrea $10.00 4 $40.00
Orange cap. $10.00 1 $10.00
Pocillipora $10.00 1 $10.00
Radioactive zoa $2.00 5 $10.00
GRAND TOTAL $170.00


Tom

Wow, thats quite the list for your little tank I bet it looks packed. How about some Pics? You kill'n me here!:silly:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Very impressive...I did a quick calculation and your tank is stocked at a level of $850/cubic foot!

That's too funny. It certainly doesn't feel like it's that fancy.


Wow, thats quite the list for your little tank I bet it looks packed. How about some Pics? You kill'n me here!:silly:

Packed? No way more, more, more! Pictures.... yes you're right about that. As soon as the algae bloom has subsided a bit more I will post pics. I'm guessing by next week it will be ready.

Tom

[jimsflies]

Packed? No way more, more, more! Pictures.... yes you're right about that. As soon as the algae bloom has subsided a bit more I will post pics. I'm guessing by next week it will be ready.

Tom

Not all the pics need to be glamour shots. The contest is about building a nano...documenting the good and the bad and providing tips along the way. I think more reefers will be helped by posting about the problems and how you deal with solving them than just a bunch of look how great my tank is shots. :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Not all the pics need to be glamour shots. The contest is about building a nano...documenting the good and the bad and providing tips along the way. I think more reefers will be helped by posting about the problems and how you deal with solving them than just a bunch of look how great my tank is shots. :)

Good point. But if you only knew how bad it was. I was worried that people's computer monitors would crack from the fugliness going on in there. :big_grin: I contemplated just taking it down. Thankfully the cyano and other algae is clearing pretty quickly.

I'll try to take some pics tonight.

Tom

[jimsflies]

At $850/cubic foot, it can't be that bad!?! :fish2:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Here are a few shots from last night.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0991.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG1000.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0983.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG1001.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG0996.jpg

As you can see my Droid phone takes pretty good close up shots, but I can't get a decent FTS with it. I'm goingto have to try to try a few with the point and shoot camera.

Thanks for looking,
Tom

[AJ :)]

Wow! your droid takes great pics! what size mega pixel is it? Your tank is looking sharp!


AJ

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Wow! your droid takes great pics! what size mega pixel is it? Your tank is looking sharp!


AJ

Thanks for the compliments. The droid is an ERIS and I believe the camera has 5 mega pixels.

[Badfish]

Tank looks great Tom, is it hard to keep your water clean with the sun coral feedings?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Tank looks great Tom, is it hard to keep your water clean with the sun coral feedings?

Thanks! The water quality was good last time it was tested... but I am having some cyano issues. I feed them 3-5 times a week but also try to do a 5% (~8 ounces!) water change each week. I actually just moved my ailing dendro into the tank to facilitate easier feeding.

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Took some pix with the point and shoot this evening...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4963.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4979.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4972.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4978.jpg

Thanks for looking,
Tom

[phishcrazee]

Love that little shrimp, very cool looking :)

[MizTanks]

What coral is that between the zoo's and the cloves? Man you got some color in that lil tank Tom. Looks beautiful!!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Love that little shrimp, very cool looking :)

Thanks for the compliment. It has become much braver as of late. Each time I feed it comes out and takes food straight from the forceps!


What coral is that between the zoo's and the cloves? Man you got some color in that lil tank Tom. Looks beautiful!!

Thanks Jamie. That one is a tiny closed up protopaly polyp. It was a hitchhiker from the main tank. It's less than a half inch in diameter while the mature polyps in the big tank are at least an inch across.

Another addition...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4961.jpg
This is more of a hospital situation for the coral rather than a display move. Since upgrading the main tank it's health is going downhill. It's much easier to feed in this tank.

Tom

[thefishgirl]

Hey Tom... Loving your pico!!! I really liked my 3g pico that I had set up for a couple of years however travel forced my things into a larger tank. The rock you have in there is awesome...and all the corals!! Holy cow!!!! Good luck!!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks Becky!

Quick pico update...


Still having cyano issues. I pulled the filter floss and think I'm seeing slow improvement.
Bubble bee shrimp is doing great and has quite a personality.
Corals are all doing well. Not a ton of growth but looking good.
Dendro declined slightly from the picture above, but now seems to be stabilized.
I also added two tiny nassarius snails.


Photo update to follow soon-ish.

Tom

[Speedracer]

Sweet setup

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Sweet setup

Thanks Speed.

So for a little fun let's play "What's going on here?".
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMAG1030.jpg


The first person to post with the correct answer will receive a free frag* of these protopalys.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/IMAG0692.jpg

Tom

*Free shipping only applies to the continental United States. Void where prohibited.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Wow, that was fun...

Answer: I was concerned that either the filter seal or silicon on the tank had sprung a leak. The pic is a FW test of the tank with all of the livestock in the cooler behind it.

The result was that neither leak and the issue was the air pump I added to the filter. It was causing just a little bit of water to sneak out over the edge of the filter.

Here is the latest reset... some of the corals are still recovering from the shuffle.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4986.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4987.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4988.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_4989.jpg

Thanks for looking!
Tom

[MizTanks]

What is that that's orange! Talk about vivid!!! I like! Everything's so bright :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

What is that that's orange! Talk about vivid!!! I like! Everything's so bright :)

Thanks Miz. That's my once ailing (now recovering?) Dendrophyllia.

Tom

[AJ :)]

Good to hear you didn't have a leak!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks AJ.

Most of the corals have rebounded from the "leak test" move. The Xenia seems to have taken it the worst and is now really just a fleshy nub with no polyps... I'm hoping it will recover.

The dendro is still not accepting food and the main polyp continues to shrink albeit very slowly. However, the lone baby polyp now has two tiny polyps next to it! Perhaps this has all been the main polyp sacrificing itself to asexually reproduce. Who knows :shrug:

Updated pic coming soon.

Tom

[MizTanks]

Thanks Miz. That's my once ailing (now recovering?) Dendrophyllia.

Tom

I've never seen an Orange or more like a reddish colored Dendro. That is just awesome!

[phishcrazee]

Some nice, bright colors in there :hypnotized: Hope they make a full recovery........it's always the pretty ones that are a pita, lol :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

A few pics from this evening.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5134.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5131.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5142B.jpg

I will work on updating my coral list and will post it soon.

Thanks for looking,
Tom

[MizTanks]

Wow those acros look awesome Tom! The whole tank does actually :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Wow those acros look awesome Tom! The whole tank does actually :)

Thanks Jamie. But I actually don't own any acros. The green nepthea looks a lot like an acro in the latest shots though.

Tom

[MizTanks]

Thanks Jamie. But I actually don't own any acros. The green nepthea looks a lot like an acro in the latest shots though.

Tom

Ok that's not embarrassing :(

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Ok that's not embarrassing :(

I wouldn't call it embarrassing. I would call it flattering!

Any who, here's the final stock list...

2012 Pico livestock list

Species Price/unit # units Total price
"Eagle eye" zoa $2.00 4 $8.00
Thin gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Grape macroalgae $2.00 1 $2.00
Spotted shroom $10.00 3 $30.00
Striped shroom $10.00 1 $10.00
Purple shroom $10.00 1 $10.00
Xenia $10.00 1 $10.00
Yellow sun coral $10.00 1 $10.00
Encrusting Gorgonian $10.00 1 $10.00
Green sinularia $20.00 1 $20.00
Green caulastrea $10.00 4 $40.00
Orange cap. $10.00 1 $10.00
Pocillipora $10.00 1 $10.00
Radioactive zoa $2.00 5 $10.00
Green protopaly $5.00 4 $20.00
Red palys $5.00 6 $30.00
Gorilla nipple zoa $2.00 12 $24.00
Dendronepthea $25.00 2 $50.00
GRAND TOTAL $314.00

And a some final thoughts...

Keeping this little tank has been quite an adventure for me. I find it much easier to enjoy the details of the liverock, corals, and all the other critters in a smaller tank. In some ways it is easier to take care of than a larger tank (e.g. water changes of only a few cups). Although there have also been some serious frustrations (chronic cyano issues and a suspected seam leak).

Overall, I have enjoyed being the steward for this pico ecosystem, as well as watching all the other nano in the contest develop into unique systems of their own. I'd like to thank CR and Orphek for inspiring me to try my hand at a pico tank. I have been fascinated with them for years but always had an excuse to not set one up. Good luck to all of the remaining nano contestants!

Oh, and if you're thinking about setting up a pico... DO IT!

Tom

Tom

[MizTanks]

That is a very beautiful pico Tom :love3: I like small tanks too :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

From a far...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5168.jpg

From above...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5163.jpg

FTS...
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5172.jpg

FTS w/ white background. Corals don't look as nice but it shows the aquascape a lot better.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/tomalwin/2012%20pico%20contest/IMG_5175.jpg

Thanks for looking,

Tom

[MizTanks]

I couldn't figure out what was catching my eye so much but now I know. It's how NATURAL this lil tank looks. It doesn't look *made* but like it just grew that way. It also looks mature. All settled in and homey :)

[AJ :)]

Great looking pico! I didn't realize just how cool it was until I saw the shot with the gallon jug. That really makes me think wow!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I couldn't figure out what was catching my eye so much but now I know. It's how NATURAL this lil tank looks. It doesn't look *made* but like it just grew that way. It also looks mature. All settled in and homey :)


Great looking pico! I didn't realize just how cool it was until I saw the shot with the gallon jug. That really makes me think wow!


Thank you for the kind words! It's always so nice to get positive feedback.

Tom