Micro Tank

[Kmadden]

Hello everyone, I am setting up my first micro tank. I'm going to try to keep it as simple and minimalistic as possible. I have already added 1 piece of live rock that was in my main tank for about 3 weeks and that's probably all I'm going to add. After a week or two I plan on adding some sps.

I already had a spare light and pump laying around so I had no purchase cost for those, but to buy them again would have been $74

I did have to buy the 1 gallon jar and a heater to get the tank ready. The heater was $12 and the jar was $5.


I will be cheating a little bit with this tank on my water quality. Instead of trying to balance and keep .9 gallons of water in check I will be doing daily 10% water changes by changing 2cups of water out with my main tank.



Here are the first pictures without the heater that will be arriving later today. As well as the equipment i am using.

 

[Ranjib]

I doubt the setup will work. Most pico tanks I have seen that’s under 1G uses an air stone for flow. Keep us posted,

 

[Kmadden]

I doubt the setup will work. Most pico tanks I have seen that’s under 1G uses an air stone for flow. Keep us posted,

Yeah. I could have to much flow but have it setup like a whirlpool and the rock creates a dead zone in the center of the tank. I am going to get one birdsnest and put it in the center and see how it does.

I will update the thread every time I make a change.

 

[cmcoker]

How is the temp with that pump in a small volume of water and closed lid? Seems like it would heat up pretty quick

 

[Kmadden]

Last check it was around 80°. The same temp I keep my 55gal. at.

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

How is the temp with that pump in a small volume of water and closed lid? Seems like it would heat up pretty quick

+1

 

[Kmadden]

Ok. I just added the heater and the temperature is staying right around 82°. I added a small fan to try and get the temperature to come down to 80°. If I can get it to stay down for a few days I'll start looking for a piece of coral to add.

Also the lid is not all the way closed. It is opened about half inch in the back for the cords and to allow air for oxygen transfer.

 

[SeaDweller]

Uh, good luck?

Why such a large powerhead? So ugly and cluttered.

 

[Kmadden]

Uh, good luck?

Why such a large powerhead? So ugly and cluttered.

I just had it laying around. It actually dosnt look to bad in person. Here is a side view and a view from just above the tank.

 

[Kmadden]

I added some coral yesterday. I bought a branching montipora and it came with one zoanthid.

 

[Kmadden]

This is one hour after temperature and dip only acclimation. I wanted to try a no drip acclimation because I have heard the are not 100% necessary

 

[Kmadden]

The montipora has been in the tank for 5 days now, looks great and has really good polyp extension.

I'm also surprised that the zoanthid is doing so well with the very high flow in this tank.