Almager's 4g Pico

Aaron Almager · Apr 4, 2021

Hello all! I'm getting back into this addictive hobby. I wanted a challenge while jumping back in & went with a 4g Pico to get my experimentation on. Hoping to eventually turn this guy into a small breeder or holder for inverts. Maybe even a garden for future food needs. Currently shrimp cycling with dry rock, 4 days in. Wish me the best!

BeTreyed · Apr 4, 2021

Cool! I love these pico tanks, haven't ever done one myself. Whats your setup? Flow? Lighting?

Aaron Almager · Apr 4, 2021

BeTreyed said:
Cool! I love these pico tanks, haven't ever done one myself. Whats your setup? Flow? Lighting?

Lifegard 4g All in one tank, Cobalt neotherm 25w heater, Bahama oolite live sand, dry rock in display with dry rock in back compartment for additional bio filtration once established. Currently using supplied pump at 87gph, will see if this supplies enough flow once established (any suggestions to increase flow I would love to discuss with anyone). No lights currently but I have my eyes on a few. I won't set up any lighting until fully cycled.

Aaron Almager · Apr 9, 2021

Update: Cycle is going well or at least in my experience it is. Our shrimp for cycling (we named him Cocktail) gave up every last piece of himself to this tank. It's been 2 days since & the bac bloom seems to be dissipating. Water is clearing up & it feels like a good, small hurdle to cross. Ammonia is still high but I know will start to mellow out in the coming weeks. Love this!

revhtree · Apr 9, 2021

You had me at PICO! Can't wait to see what is becomes!

Aaron Almager · Apr 13, 2021

Great day today! Watched my ammonia nose dive over the past few days. Literally halved each day with today ending at a big fat goose egg! Looks like nitrite is dropping & nitrates are there. Cycle almost complete... Which means I need to prep for the near future... AI Prime 16HD acquired! Turned em on to play with of course, leaving off so they don't jump start algae growth.

I am kinda surprised how quick this cycle is going. Thinking of testing the system in the next couple days if params continue to trend the way they currently are... Am I wrong here?

Aaron Almager · Apr 22, 2021

So params didn't end up trending the way I needed them to. Nitrites stayed high & nitrate holding steady. I am hoping within a week I see a change, until then, nothing added in. I did play with my AI Prime & put in a calming blue setting. Lights aren't running yet but I have turned it on for a half hour here & there just to enjoy it. Gotta say I love the look even at this stage but my family is excited to get something in there.

Aaron Almager · May 2, 2021

First Fish added in! It's name is Pennywise. We actually added him a couple of days ago but it took him a little bit to get comfortable swimming around. Nice to see some life in our tank & the fam is loving it. Also added a blue legged hermit (HIM) & a snail (Gary).

Aaron Almager · May 18, 2021

What a great last few days & then today was almost a heart dropping moment! First, we added a neon candy cane on Saturday. Dipped, then coralamino before lights out & all seems to be well! Then today I get home & notice my return pump is not working, absolutely zero flow, & the temp dropped 4 degrees. Good thing I had the original as a back up & was able to get it going again. Not sure how long it was all down but after 6 hours everything seems to be unaffected.

Other additions this past week, a few snails, a couple dwarf red tip hermits, & a small piece of live rock.