.02 for keepimg pico/nano aquariums

[Nano101]

Just wondering those of you out there with successful pico/nano tanks what your tips for success are. I gave up on my pico, converted to a spongebob themed freshwater tank. 4 gallons seems too small to get the appropiate flow rate and lighting...even for softies without $400, which I don't want to spend on a little tank in my bedroom. I'm quite happy with my 12 gallon setup, just wondering what your stories of success (or failures have been. Chime in!

 

[3lusive]

Your biggest expense on a Pico is almost always going to be your lighting.

Something like say a 3gal fluval spec would do great with a mini jet 606 in replacement of the stock pump, and a par 30 for lighting and you would almost be able to keep whatever coral you want. You would come in well below that $400 mark.

I ran my spec iii with the mini jet and an old school AI Nano , and had everything from zoas to SPS before taking it down. I ran the blues at 60% and whites at 15% .

If you keep up with your water changes REGULARLY, you shouldn't have the need for dosing or anything like that as you nutrient levels will be easily kept in check along with your important elements

 

[Nano man]

Keeping a 6 gallon for many years and now upgrading the biggest thing is consistency in water parameters. Temperature and salinity is Crucial in a small tank.
If you need help with these were here for that.

 

[Nano101]

I couldn't get proper flow or lighting (without $300) in my IM Nuvo 4, so it has fresh in it now. Maybe someday I'll try again.

 

[brandon429]

The average size for these sps reefs is one gallon ish
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...a-fishbowl-than-in-a-normal-reef-tank.270506/

Good tidbits in there, try to feed heavy/change water heavy. Always kill algae by hand not by water control, always build a scape you can take apart for cleaning etc hope those examples help

Imo the best secret procedure is the full water change reaction to anything...anytime you want to do one

it's pico CPR and there's never too many full water changes (if fish then 90% or hold the fish outside the tank during work) it's the remedy to any insult and most mistakes and it beats parameter chasing when ease of work allows this reset