Pico questions...

stpauli914 · 02/05/2009, 08:44 PM

I am considering seting up a Pico tank at my work. I have a 125 gallon display at home and wanted a little "piece' at my work to enjoy during the day. I have a 3 gallon Eclipse Pico tank. My main questions are:

How often should I do water changes and how much? I can do as much and as often as needed due to my large display at home.

I was thinking of a couple pieces of high quality live rock. I do not want to add a chiller(of course) so due to temps in the summer over the weekend when I am not at work I want to be able to keep heat tolerant livestock. I am thinking of trying to maintain a temp of 82-84 degrees constantly. Can I keep some Zoas and a shrimp or two at these temps? What else might I think of keeping?

Thanks for any ideas.

anememoni · 02/06/2009, 02:32 AM

I do water change for my pico everyday. 1 cup of pre-mix salt and R/O. I kept shrimp and it die because it is not tolerant of sudden change in water...with a tank this small that is almost impossible to accomplish. Zoas will be fine.

stpauli914 · 02/06/2009, 06:34 AM

Thanks Anem!!

Sugar Magnolia · 02/06/2009, 08:02 AM

I used to have a 2.5g tank and did weekly 10% water changes. As far as stocking goes, a snail or two for clean up and a group of 4 or 5 sexy shrimp would be a neat addition. Fascinating little guys.

freddy4130 · 02/06/2009, 08:33 AM

Yeah, my sexy loves it/loved it. I put him in my ten gallon. I do water changes on my pico every week at 1 gallon. So it is comparatively a huge water change. Not sure about the high temps, but you can pretty much put any type of coral in it as long as your lights are good enough. Topping off is the only big deal. You must either do it twice a day or have an ATO. In the summer, if your tank is going to get to mid 80's you will probably have to top off 3 times.

02/05/2009, 08:44 PM	#1
stpauli914 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clearwater/Dunedin Posts: 1,990	Pico questions... I am considering seting up a Pico tank at my work. I have a 125 gallon display at home and wanted a little "piece' at my work to enjoy during the day. I have a 3 gallon Eclipse Pico tank. My main questions are: How often should I do water changes and how much? I can do as much and as often as needed due to my large display at home. I was thinking of a couple pieces of high quality live rock. I do not want to add a chiller(of course) so due to temps in the summer over the weekend when I am not at work I want to be able to keep heat tolerant livestock. I am thinking of trying to maintain a temp of 82-84 degrees constantly. Can I keep some Zoas and a shrimp or two at these temps? What else might I think of keeping? Thanks for any ideas. __________________ Thanks Reef Central!!! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon Mixed Reef Miracles Custom 72x30x25 Starfire, COR20 RD3 80W, BK Alpha 200, MP40QD's, Radion G4 Pros * 80 Gallon Deep Blue Rimless SPS Dominant 48x24x16 Starfire, RD5 ECO, BK Mini 160, MP40QD's, Radion Gen4 Pros* Apex Controlled

02/06/2009, 06:34 AM	#3
stpauli914 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clearwater/Dunedin Posts: 1,990	Thanks Anem!! __________________ Thanks Reef Central!!! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon Mixed Reef Miracles Custom 72x30x25 Starfire, COR20 RD3 80W, BK Alpha 200, MP40QD's, Radion G4 Pros * 80 Gallon Deep Blue Rimless SPS Dominant 48x24x16 Starfire, RD5 ECO, BK Mini 160, MP40QD's, Radion Gen4 Pros* Apex Controlled

02/06/2009, 08:02 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I used to have a 2.5g tank and did weekly 10% water changes. As far as stocking goes, a snail or two for clean up and a group of 4 or 5 sexy shrimp would be a neat addition. Fascinating little guys. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

02/06/2009, 02:32 AM	#2
anememoni Moved On Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lubbock Posts: 61	I do water change for my pico everyday. 1 cup of pre-mix salt and R/O. I kept shrimp and it die because it is not tolerant of sudden change in water...with a tank this small that is almost impossible to accomplish. Zoas will be fine.

02/06/2009, 08:33 AM	#5
freddy4130 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 360	Yeah, my sexy loves it/loved it. I put him in my ten gallon. I do water changes on my pico every week at 1 gallon. So it is comparatively a huge water change. Not sure about the high temps, but you can pretty much put any type of coral in it as long as your lights are good enough. Topping off is the only big deal. You must either do it twice a day or have an ATO. In the summer, if your tank is going to get to mid 80's you will probably have to top off 3 times.