Chuck's 2012 Desktop Contest Pico

[chazde3]

Well here's the beginning of my desktop 2.5g pico for the 2012 nano contest. Just got the tank yesterday and put in my corner overflow. My overflow will help me monitor water level much better in the tank. I have a little canopy from an old tank that I may put on here or I may build a new one, I haven't quite decided. Here's where the tank will be going on my desk at work. More details and pics on the build to come.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xo0_C85v-5s/TwcViONlSjI/AAAAAAAADo4/W1htKvA7I2Y/s800/IMG_20120106_091048.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Where is the tank?

[MizTanks]

OMG the first ever invisible tank!!!

[chazde3]

Hahaha if you guys had read my paragraph that is where the tank is going, I get to be a foot away from this tank for 8 hours a day. The tank itself is sitting at home waiting for silicone to finish curing. Water test of my internal overflow shall commence tonight when I get home. I had to tease you guys with what photos I had the opportunity to take. :silly:

[chazde3]

Here's the beginnings of yet another tank.

Setup 20 min ago on my desk at work. Rock, sand, and water all taken from my existing systems.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uC4ewrTklMs/Twss3ATICRI/AAAAAAAADpE/ISQpprsYJWo/s800/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg

[chazde3]

Couple pictures from today after I got the enclosure done and the lights mounted.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-es_QFdw4Fn4/Tw7lh7CrH-I/AAAAAAAADpw/eAHkz8TcpNc/s800/IMG_20120112_083305.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f9jD9AVjE-o/Tw7jw91UKdI/AAAAAAAADpg/RjXNjNO1boE/s800/IMG_20120112_083435.jpg

Current livestock price sits at $10 for the one loose mushroom in there.

[nate_newton]

What kind of lighting are you using? Off to a good start

[chazde3]

What kind of lighting are you using? Off to a good start
I'm using 2 13w GE 6500k Daylight bulbs. They have been the only twist light bulb that I have found that puts out a crisp white light and not a yellow light. I plan on adding some blue supplementation into the lighting but I havent figured out quite what route I want to go with that.

[chazde3]

Well the tank is coming along nicely. Snapped some pictures today at work. Stock total will be tallied up tomorrow. Not sure on some of the pricing since I added some really small frags.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sk2aIhUTssY/TyCHBaSaqqI/AAAAAAAADq0/BhKpQy92L7Y/s800/DSC06971.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lFiUgM92C0E/TyCHC3wIJMI/AAAAAAAADq8/EcSbTGgAaLs/s800/DSC06972.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OzixZBAXYpc/TyCHFJr04lI/AAAAAAAADrM/iEgvu1j_xWo/s800/DSC06979.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yWAfvSlDlp0/TyCHGFn1VhI/AAAAAAAADrU/gUq3jFVe0gk/s800/DSC06980.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XHymjh_AN1U/TyCHHH97kPI/AAAAAAAADrc/bkPN4DI8-bY/s800/DSC06982.JPG

[creefer]

Very cool!

[AJ :)]

Great pics! Wish mine looked as good! :)

[chazde3]

What's that? Oh an acro crab :D
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VwEs8Tdeqw4/TyCHDziCQNI/AAAAAAAADrE/STEPYLzI-Ic/s800/DSC06976.JPG

[phishcrazee]

Looking good :) Since I'm currently cycling, just curious what sort of cycle you experienced (if any)?

[chazde3]

Looking good :) Since I'm currently cycling, just curious what sort of cycle you experienced (if any)?

Well all the water, sand and rock was taken from a tank that has been running in one way or another for 3+years so there was no noticeable cycle. The only thing that could have caused a minor cycle was stirring up the sand when I put it in but I really didn't notice much of anything other than a little spurt of algae.

[phishcrazee]

Nice! Waiting for mine to finish up so I can start adding stuff, waiting is the hardest part :yawn:

[chazde3]

Nice! Waiting for mine to finish up so I can start adding stuff, waiting is the hardest part :yawn:

Haha it sure is. Had to sit through a cycle a few times. Good luck with your tank.

[chazde3]

Hey been awhile since I updated. Haven't had the chance to add anything new yet.

Current stock list, prices are what I charge for frags these sizes.
Green eyed xenia $10
Pink photosynthetic gorgonia $10
Red Mushroom $10
Green Tonga Mushroom $10
RDE Zoas $10
2 head Hammer $10
Miniature yellow fiji leather $5??
Miniature red tonga mushroom $5??


Overall total $70

Current pictures
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vMqC3Tos6xU/T0emszsmN8I/AAAAAAAADsk/dvKT2M32Q-c/s800/IMG_20120224_094415.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZSgbaxmeGL8/T0emocSo4wI/AAAAAAAADsc/jPHoVskm8zY/s800/%255BUNSET%255D.jpg

[chazde3]

Well I wasnt paying attention earlier and dropped one of the lights into the water and shorted the bulb. Ooops lol. I'm actually thinking about doing a small LED build for this tank. I'm thinking either 2 royal blue and 1 cool white or 4 royal blue and 2 cool whites. All of these would be placed on a custom machined heatsink enclosure and hung pendant style over the tank..