Brooks' 5g EYE-CANDY EcoPico!

[BrooksReef]

Hi there Reef2Reef!!


I have been out of the hobby for quite some time now. Things were coming up with college, cheerleading, etc. and I didn't think that I would find time for a tank. However, now that things have slowed down, and I've been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin, I can finally set up something that I can not only take to college, but that is easy to manage and doesn't require a ton of maintenance.

I went with the EcoPico for a few reasons:
A) I needed something that was allowed by my dorm rules (5g or less).
B) Something that had a clean look, and didn't have much noise-making stuff in it.
C) Easy to maintain.
D) Reliable.

All of these things factored in to my decision, and I can say with ease, that I am VERY happy with my decision!

Tank equipment:

5g EcoExotic EcoPico
5 x 3w EcoExotic LED Strips (1 x Pure Actinic [453nm], 4 x 12k with actinic [453nm])
Internal stock pump
SmartHeater


Coral (current):

-60+ Eye colony of Miami Hurricane
-15 eyes of Jada's Pink Watermelon
-5 polyp Candy Apple Red Palys
-3 polyp Red Hornet Zoanthids
-Small Strawberry Shortcake Acro (going to a friend's tank to color up and grow a little)
-Tyree Bird's Nest
-Bottlebrush Acro
-Banana Berry Acro (going to a friend's tank to color up and grow a little)

Coral (upcoming):
- 6+ eye BGM
- 5+ eye Original Mummy Eye

Fish & Inverts (current):

2 x Sexy Shrimp
3 x Dwarf Cerith Snails
1 x Nassarrius Snail



And of COURSE... PICTURES:

 

[m'akoyPINOY]

awesome pico!lots of eye candies.

 

[BrooksReef]

Thanks M'akoy! That means a lot! More eye candy to come in the upcoming months. I won't stop until the glass is covered with chalices, LOL.

 

[Teeb]

Great looking pico!

 

[BrooksReef]

Thanks, Teeb!

 

[Acropora52]

Nice looking tank! Plus you are going to the best university in the country and you get to live in the best city in the world Hook 'em

 

[BrooksReef]

Thanks Roni! And it seems like you're from Austin (or have lived here)? Either way, HOOK'EM! Glad to see another Longhorn's fan!

 

[BrooksReef]

WHOOP WHOOP!


OME and BGM come in tomorrow!

 

[Acropora52]

Grew up in Austin and spent 8 years in the UT system. You're gonna have that tank fully stocked pretty soon

 

[BrooksReef]

So, as you can see... I snagged a little something extra aside from the two chalices. GUESS WHAT IT IS?

 

[cMan5]

This is awesome!

 

[BrooksReef]

Thanks! I appreciate it. I am removing the small stock filter and adding a small HoB filter. Also adding a TunZe powerhead.

 

[BrooksReef]

Added a Koralia Nano to the tank today. Everything seems to be liking the additional flow. Also, I replaced the stock filter with an Azoo Aquatics HOB filter. This thing is TINY! Pictures to come tomorrow when the lights turn back on.


A couple of goodies coming this week, too!


Utter Chaos Palys
FragFarmer Watermelon Chalice


Some teaser pictures:

 

[Cubbies]

Looks amazing! Just keep an eye on your parameters. Would hate for you to loose all those beautiful corals due to a swing in such a small tank(knock on wood). Looks great though!

 

[BrooksReef]

Looks amazing! Just keep an eye on your parameters. Would hate for you to loose all those beautiful corals due to a swing in such a small tank(knock on wood). Looks great though!

Thanks!

Yes, parameters are being monitored very, very closely! Weekly 1.5g water change to keep any excess nutrients from building, etc. Luckily, I have no fish to really add much damage to the tank as far as Ammonia and Nitrates go!

Thanks again, Cubbies!

 

[Cubbies]

Thanks!

Yes, parameters are being monitored very, very closely! Weekly 1.5g water change to keep any excess nutrients from building, etc. Luckily, I have no fish to really add much damage to the tank as far as Ammonia and Nitrates go!

Thanks again, Cubbies!

Sounds good and NP! :nerd:

 

[HomeSlizzice]

I am very interested in the EcoPico, but I have a few questions. How do you like the coloration you are getting with the 4 white/blue and 1 blue strip? Is it good and look bright? Or do you think 2 blues and 3 white/blues would be better? Also, why are you getting rid of the stock filter for the azoo palm filter?

 

[BrooksReef]

David,

I recently switched up to a 20g because my father wanted to join in, and a 5g simply wouldn't be able to fit both of our interests.

I will do my best to answer your questions, though.

Did I like the color with 4 white/blue and 1 blue? Yes, I did! It provided the necessary amount of light needed for the corals in the tank. The colors were great, IMO! It was bright for a tank that size. You could also work with 2 blues and 3 white/blues.


Yes, I did get the Azoo filter! VERY good filter!


For anyone interested, I'll be updating this thread to the current build!

Current FTS:

 

[BrooksReef]

To make a long story short, my father wanted to get into the hobby. So, I got rid of the 5g tank, and set up a 20g with him! I am teaching him all about the hobby, and he gets to pay for the pricey corals.

Equipment:
60w CREE LED fixture
TunZe 6015 Powerhead
AC70 HOB Filter

Livestock:
Miami Hurricane Chalice
Original Mummy Eye Chalice
FragFarmer's Watermelon Chalice
Jayda's Watermelon Chalice
Utter Chaos Paly
Candy Apple Red Paly
Red Hornet Zoa
Various SPS

Fish:
Single Bangaii Cardinal
2 x Sexy Shrimp



Also, could a Mod please edit the title of this thread if possible? "Brooks' 20g LED Eye-Candy Build"

Thank you!

 

[BrooksReef]

Here is an updated FTS! I know, I can't take pictures worth a darn. But, you kind of get the general concept!

The Miami Hurricane mother colony has sprouted up 6 new eyes in the past 1-2 weeks! I think these LEDs are really packing a punch! I am running them on 90% blue 70% white. Have been for a solid week now, I'd say. No bleaching, everything looks happy!