JBJ Cubey 3 gallon

[Katrina71]

Better yet...maybe something to hang on the side of the tank?

 

[Nano man]

For what it’s worth I would go with a bigger tank, Im a very experienced reef keeper and just tore down a 3.7 gallon cube that I had set up for about 2 years.. it was a nightmare, the small volume of water is very unstable and you will get wild fluctuations of salinity, temp and water chemistry.. any little problem like the death of a inhabitant can wipe out the tank very quickly.

I would agree and disagree with this.
For a novice I would agree 100%
For a veteran I would disagree 100%
Having a nano means that much more attention is required to keep it. For me personally I have kept nanos for as long as I can remember since 1998. I have always kept my nanos at work where I am around them a lot but the ones at home don’t receive that amount of attention.
You mentioned various factors contributing to the death of small aquariums but what about the factors to successfully keep them alive? Even go weeks unattended?
I personally have done that with automation, and perserverenece.
Thansk

 

[Ranjib]

I have three tanks, two pico and one nano, all of them requires only water changes after every two weeks. the pico tanks dont even have hob filter or skimmer or anything.. just return and light (a80). I personally felt its way way easier to keep pico and nano.

 

[Ranjib]

@Katrina71 whats your stocking plan? softies /lps or SPS as well ?

 

[Katrina71]

@Katrina71 whats your stocking plan? softies /lps or SPS as well ?

No sps. Softies and zoas. Maybe a very easy lps.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm confident about keeping a pico.

 

[Ranjib]

No sps. Softies and zoas. Maybe a very easy lps.

Yeah.. then your dont neeed any fancy equipment other than just do regular water change. An ATO will be good or required, only if you have opentop and lots of evaporation. I used mines with lid, so evaporation is not that big of a deal.
I think most important aspect of pico is choosing corals, since some of the softies can just grow quickly and take over .. so planning it out will be good.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I would agree and disagree with this.
For a novice I would agree 100%
For a veteran I would disagree 100%
Having a nano means that much more attention is required to keep it. For me personally I have kept nanos for as long as I can remember since 1998. I have always kept my nanos at work where I am around them a lot but the ones at home don’t receive that amount of attention.
You mentioned various factors contributing to the death of small aquariums but what about the factors to successfully keep them alive? Even go weeks unattended?
I personally have done that with automation, and perserverenece.
Thansk

Just relating my opinion based on personal experiences, I guess I would be considered a veteran by 1998 my first reef had been up and running for 13 years.. Im retired and around my tanks all the time so the little Pico got my full attention daily but I just never had success with it and like I said earlier in this thread it was set up exactly like my 14 gallon nano which runs hands off and thriving? Never could get the results I wanted so it’s now a refugium for my new build.

 

[Katrina71]

This tank is all about patience, practice, and fun. The Golden rule KISS. Weekly water changes are a firm plan.

 

[hart24601]

Idk if you have decided on sand yet but I would suggest not using sand. It's so hard to keep clean and not be detritus trap and the size is so small most clean up crew has a hard time getting in the sand and it's hard to reach with your hands!

Although it can be done, no worries. But if you have fish it's harder.

Top down shot of my 3g pico. Clam grew a lot in there amazingly enough. Only a powerhead and heater along with 100% weekly waterchange. No dosing or ato as had a lid.

 

[Katrina71]

Idk if you have decided on sand yet but I would suggest not using sand. It's so hard to keep clean and not be detritus trap and the size is so small most clean up crew has a hard time getting in the sand and it's hard to reach with your hands!

Although it can be done, no worries. But if you have fish it's harder.

Top down shot of my 3g pico. Clam grew a lot in there amazingly enough. Only a powerhead and heater along with 100% weekly waterchange. No dosing or ato as had a lid.

nice clam! Any other pics you want to share?

 

[Nano man]

This tank is all about patience, practice, and fun. The Golden rule KISS. Weekly water changes are a firm plan.

Great point,
Another great practice which I religously did every week.
Along with monthly chemipire elite replacement and quarterly purigen/revitalize replacement.
And some sand displacement which occurred from moving rocks around to accommodate add ons, which; space runs out pretty quickly in a nano.
Love em’ though!

 

[Katrina71]

I guess I have a different outlook. I don't see this as a potential failure. I see this as a future success.

 

[Nano man]

Also a great little pump can be turned down if you choose to go for one:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mini-mj-606-water-pump-159-gph-cobalt-aquatics.html
NanoMan

 

[Katrina71]

I am anxious to see the flow in the little tank.

 

[Nano man]

Can always slow it down with an auto rotate return nozzle

 

[Nano man]

That would be super cool for a nano!

 

[Nano man]

Imagine a husband wife seahorse tank.

 

[Katrina71]

Can always slow it down with an auto rotate return nozzle

I have one for the hydor. Good point.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Getting close. You must be so excited. I know you two can make this tank work.