Mr. Microscope's JBJ Picotope

[Mr. Microscope]

Mr. Microscope's JBJ Picotope

Hello fellow Captive Reefers!

I've been in the reefing hobby for about two years now. As of today, my three gallon JBJ Picotope is about sixteen months old. I'm very excited by this forum. As a member of several other forums, I'd admit this one seems to stand out above most others. Okay, enough flattery. Let's get down to the tank.

I've found keeping a pico tank to be incredibly fun. It's not quite as difficult as one may think. These small tanks come with their own set of issues, and have very different problems than regular reef tanks or even nanos. Stability is probably the main challenge, but many innovations have developed in the last few years that make pico tanks entirely possible to keep in the long term.

This is my first salt water tank and I'd say I owe any success to lots and lots of research and patience. It seems every time I turn a corner there's something new to learn in this hobby. It all started a few years ago. I received an Amazon gift card from my sister for my birthday. I've always loved aquariums, but my wife really doesn't like them. So, when I saw the picotope online, I knew that I could keep this at work with no problem. After I figured out that I wanted to do a reef tank, I spent a good two months researching each piece of equipment and making the most careful decisions I could before taking the financial plunge.

Since then I've experienced plenty of downfalls, crashes, death, and destruction. I've certainly come close to quitting once, but I just kept up with water changes and research. Today, I'd say I'm very glad I didn't stop reefing. This hobby has really brought about a sense of pride and excitement to my life. It's amazing what a few gallon of simulated ocean can do for one's well-being.



Started 2009.10.31

FTS 2011.02.09


Top down


Here's a shot of it on day three back in 2009:


Current Equipment
3 gallon JBJ Picotope
Hydor Pico Evo 180 Circulation Pump
DIY LEDs
AC70 Fuge with Chaeto, Marineland Stealth Pro 25W heater, Filter Floss
Picotope Stock filter hung on side of AC70 dedicated to Chemi-Pure Elite
Sybon Refractometer
1L gravity fed ATO
5 lbs LR, 1/2" LS

[list]Current Stock
CUC: 3 Scarlet Hermit Crabs, Mithrax Crab, Feather duster, Brittle Star, Colinista Snails
Corals:
Soft: Toadstool leather, Anthelia, GSP HH, Purple Cabbage Leather
Zoanthids and Palythoa: Crown Royals, Green Implosions, Whammin' Watermelons, Zombie Eyes, Magicians, Inside Outs, Valentine's Day Massacre, Lunar Eclips, Kedd's Reds, Organisms, Tub's Blues
LPS: Neon green Trumpet

Previous Inhabitants in Picotope
Softy: brown mushrooms, red mushroom, blue spotted mushroom, Papaya Cloves, Yumas
Zoas/Palys: Neon Greens, Radioactive Dragon Eyes, Tub's Blue, King Midas, Fire and Ice, Green Lanterns, Day Trippers, AOGs, Purple Death, Pink and Golds, Mohawks (Variable Stars), button polyp HH
Large Polyp Stony: Green Goniopora, Trumpet Coral
Small Polyp Stony: Birdsnest (Frog in a Blender), Pink Procillapora, Green Procillapora
CUC: 2 Nerites, Stomatellas, Tonga Nassarius, Porcelain Crab, Bristle worms, Scarlet Hermit Crab, White Hermit Crab
Fish:
Yellow Clown Goby "Gobiodon" C.O.D.> Desk surfing
Blue Damsel "Blue Lightning" C.O.D.> Unknown

Previously Used Equipment
18W Current Satellite PC, MiniJet 404 Circulation Pump, Hydor Koralia Nano powerhead, Hydor Theo 25W heater


Here's a couple close-ups of my current livestock:

Green Implosions


Crown Royals


Magicians and Organisms


Some zoas. Check it out. The Whammin' Watermelons on top are kaleidascoping!


Finally, here's a fun shot of two of the three Scarlets I have in there.


Enjoy!