Jestersix

clownvan's 3g budget build

C

clownvan

Supporting Member
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Here is my pico tank journal.

I had a tank sitting on my countertop that I was going to make a freshwater planted tank. But then I received a pair of percula clownfish from a BAR member that needed to go into the main tank. The main tank had a baby maroon clown that needed a new home. So I decided to convert the pico to a fish only tank (for now).

If you see the setup, it has a heater which I was using to heat the water before water change. Not to worry @Darkxerox , I will be getting the calibration thermometer this Saturday and calibrate the thermometer. There isn't a filter or a skimmer. Given the size, I just do an almost 50% water change weekly and the clown seems happy. The ATO will be arriving tomorrow and the aerator on Friday. I shall increase the water level once the ATO is placed in. I am still not sure what to do about the lid. Yes those are restaurant containers at the moment.

I pulled a rock from my main tank and put it in here. I had to pull it when I was fussing with @Thales gigantic moni frag. I would like to add more in this little tank but first I want to figure out how much pars it is getting from the sunlight. The sunlight is not direct but this is really naturally well lit kitchen. Originally, I was thinking about sticking a mangrove plant in there and have its leaves pointing to the window. Not sure if that will work anymore because I had to move the tank to the other side of the plugs. Else the tank would have to be moved forward on the counter eating up valuable counter space.

Once I figure out sunlight pars, I shall decide if I am going to add @B the Nano Reefer 's AI Prime non-HD light to the set-up. I am in line for the par meter. After that, I would like to add an anemone for the clown. Maybe a shrimp.

Total Cost - $10.99

3g pico tank - $0
Thermometer - $0
Lids - $0
ATO - $10.99
Aerator - $0
Live Rock - $0
Baby Maroon - $0 (from @MichaelB )
 

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Is the bubbler long term? Assuming not, I like the fluval ac20 HOB for about 40 bucks. I remove the mechanical filter foam and shove an airstone in the filter chamber for added gas exchange. They work great for what they are. Also I like to draw the water line in sharpee so I know how much to top off. Careful with the light, id leave it virtually off. ~4 hour period or so, until algaee and bacteria gets established, and then let the snails take control. All this has worked really well for me in my 10g.
 
Kronic Reefer said:
Is the bubbler long term? Assuming not, I like the fluval ac20 HOB for about 40 bucks. I remove the mechanical filter foam and shove an airstone in the filter chamber for added gas exchange. They work great for what they are. Also I like to draw the water line in sharpee so I know how much to top off. Careful with the light, id leave it virtually off. ~4 hour period or so, until algaee and bacteria gets established, and then let the snails take control. All this has worked really well for me in my 10g.
Click to expand...

I am very fond of Aquaclear filters on small tanks. My 20 gallon has one, with a small skimmer wedged in the top, and it’s doing a good job. I’ve got a sponge, some biomedia, and a load of frag plugs sitting in it, and everything’s kind of glued together with sponge now. Heater can go inside too if small enough

Highly recommend if you want to move some equipment mess out of the tank
 
tribbitt said:
I am very fond of Aquaclear filters on small tanks. My 20 gallon has one, with a small skimmer wedged in the top, and it’s doing a good job. I’ve got a sponge, some biomedia, and a load of frag plugs sitting in it, and everything’s kind of glued together with sponge now. Heater can go inside too if small enough

Highly recommend if you want to move some equipment mess out of the tank
Click to expand...

What is the skimmer model?

So I take it that you removed all the filtration stuff (mesh, carbon, etc.) that the filter came with?
 
tribbitt said:
I am very fond of Aquaclear filters on small tanks.
Click to expand...
If you have not yet, check out the seachem hob filters 35, 55, 75, are the models i believe. I have a 55 on my 15g cube. It kicks way more ass than it should. Removable media tray, strong pump, kinda noisy unfortunately, but show me an ac pump that isn't. Of the marineland, fluval and seachem hob's that i have currently running the seachem wins hands down.
 
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