Pico Mania

[Rybren]

Hi Gerry,

Glad to see that you're progressing with the build.  For CUC, I'd just go with a couple of snails for starters.  If you don't have fish and you're not feeding anything, then you really only need some critters to eat the algae.

I'd also add that live rock sooner rather than later,

[gerryo]

Good morning Jerry.

I agree about the CUC.  I just need to be sure that what I get will actually eat the algea.  I haven't had good luck with that.

Also about the live rock.  But the LR that will be going in here already has some corals on them.  Xenia, Button polyps, even a big piece of Blue Sponge.   All of these I got from a good friend when I was in need of help.  Thanx again.

[gerryo]

Got the Zoo-Med 501 Canister Filter today.  Took about 10 minutes to hook up, then fit into the sump.  There is only the foam filter and carbon in there for now.  The filter does run backwards, so will find some foam to go in the other half and switch the carbon over and add the GFO.  Simple.

This filter will take out any dust that I stir up, and will clean the water so that the corals have a better chance than they have had to date.

I will start to move some of the smaller pieces of rock into here when I get the canister switched over. 

I also have another small Koralia Pico on the way for water movement.  Hope it doesn't stir up more dust.

[gerryo]

The Hydor Pico arrived.  I ordered a Pico Evolution which moves 70 gph.  What I got is a Pico evo.mag which moves 180 gph.  Yes it raises some dust, but I am able to move some rock into it's way so it doesn't disturb the sand.  This will settle down after a couple of days.

The Pico .mag has a mag mount so is handier that way, and also includes one of their wavemakers/direction flows so will move water throughout the tank.  Not that there is much of a problem in such a small tank.  Should stir up a storm.

I have moved some softies in here as the cycle seems to have completed.  Just some Mushrooms (green striped and blue), Pulsing Xenia, Button Polyps and probably some aiptasia.  That stuff is everywhere.

I have a large piece of Colt Coral that, very conveniently, split into two stalks but both are on the same piece of rock.  This rock is long and thin - about 1 1/2 ins. in diameter.  Has anyone had any experience at cutting coral rock?  Can it be cut with a fine tooth hacksaw blade?

[gerryo]

That piece of rock split into two chunks perfectly, with a piece of Colt on each one.

However, the Colt and the Xenia died, and everything else has been gasping for life ever since.  I have done two massive water changes and everything has settled down now.  Waiting for some growth on the Buttons and the Shrooms.

I think that the dying of the Colt (Leather) released some toxins into the water and affected everything else.  Hopefully another water change will finally correct that  and I can get on with populating this tank.

Another set of water tests tomorrow will tell the tale.

[gerryo]

This tank has ran all winter with very little maintenance and disruption.  The water params stay quite constant but nothing much is happening.  The Mushrooms are still there, but have had NO growth what so ever.

The red Zoos are there but absolutely no growth.  The other Zoos which were grey under T5 lights, are green under LEDs, are healthy, and are the only ones to show some activity.

I also have a small colony of fan worms which are grey under T5 light but green inder LEDs.

In this tank, I have a problem with Hair Algea.  It only grows on the glass, not the rock.  It also has a tendency to grow right in fron of the Hydor first then spreads out from there.  I clean the glass with a scraper, and in two days the algea is back again.  Any suggestions.

I have heard from other guys with Pico tanks that this HA is a problem.

[gerryo]

The HA finally took over too much and I shut this tank down.

Someday, when we have finished with our move back to Ottawa, I might have the nerve to start another.

Thanx for reading.

[sylros]

That's too bad. It's always disheartening to shut down a tank.

Were there any lessons learned from this one? I know you were hopefull with using the KISS principle.

Hopefully this is not the end of it, we'll still be here when you come back!
Good luck with your move.
Until next time.

[gerryo]

Thanx sylros.   

One thing I learned is that you can't move so quickly on small tanks.  They need time to mature a bit before pushing them, just like me.

I think I'll always be around as I have other tanks thet will be moved with me.

gerryo