Ecopico 5.1g

[Neostead]

A few questions regarding the pico..

I've just recently downsized from a 45g reef tank and have gone with a 5.1g Ecopico. I was able to pull live sand and choice pieces of LR from the 45g and used around 2.5g of existing tank water mixed with 2.6g fresh batch of
D-D in order to get around the cycle. Minor top-off daily.

Heres whats in the pico.
duncan (6head)
favia (small frag)
toadstool (small-med size)
meteor shower
chalice
green star polyp (Small patch)
acropora (3frags-very small)
2headed sunny-d's palys
darth maul zoa (1 head)
2headed Aztec sundail zoa
paired ORA B/W clowns
4 nassarius snails
4 hermit crabs

Now heres the questions.
I've been doing a 1g water change a day w/ D-D mix. is this adequate?
How often should I clean out the pico filter? (Clean it with tank water of course.)
By having the filter out-take closer to the surface will it help agitation/oxygenate tank water?
I've added two additional ecoxotic LED strips (3 total 12K White/453nm Blue LED strips). Are these strips adequate lighting for sps? or too much for lps?
What's the best food for lps w/o affecting the small pico filter? I'm worried by feeding the tank it will jar up that small @ss filter. I use RODS food for the clowns.. I use a tooth pick and shot glass and feed carefully so theres no additional waste going to the filter.

Overall the tank seems happy.. Any pointers would be great!

Many Thanks!!

Neostead.

(Will get a picture up today after lights kick on.)

[NemusMaximus]

I have the exact same setup, but I havent tried any SPS, although another member on here is running one, and has a clam in his. From what Ive heard, it should be enough.

Cant wait to see some pictures of your tank! ::subscribing::

[Neostead]

Lights have only been on for about 10 min. Heres the setup.

Thanks,
Neostead.

[SkullV]

To even consider SPS you will need 5 strips. 3 strips may not even be enough for some of the more demanding LPS (never took measurements). A couple other things to note are that you do not need to change 1g of water daily (I do once a week) and that pair of clowns will outgrow that tank quickly.

You can see my EcoPico build in this forum for more info.

[NemusMaximus]

Apparently, I cant read. I thought you said you were running 5 strips. Thats what SkullV and I are running.

Beautiful tank. I would agree that 1 gallon per day is too much, although you do have 2 very nice clowns in there. That Favia is very nice, whats the name for the color?

[Neostead]

SkullV~
I could not let go of the clowns, lol. I figured they would outgrown this tank quickly. I do Have a back up plan. I have a 150g rimless starphire sitting in the garage. At some point they will go there. I simply could not let them go after tearing down the 45g. =(

I'll look into 2 more 12K White strips If I decide on going any further with sps.
Many Thank you's!

Neostead.

[Neostead]

Nemus~
No, just 3 total 12K White/453nm Blue LED strips atm.

Unsure about the Favia.. I'll get to the bottom of that asap.

Neostead.

[Neostead]

Heres a better pic of my favia.

[Neostead]

And one of the Clowns..

[Neostead]

The reason why I was going with the daily water changes is due to the clowns. W/o a protein skimmer it gives me abit of anxiety. From my understanding water parameters can change rapidly in a nano environment? I've had my eye on a AquaC Nano Remora Protein Skimmer.. but I think that just goes against the whole nano/rimless concept.

[kylebeano]

Everything about your tank looks exceptional, besides all the equipment crowding the display :/ sorry! Your choice in livestock is excellent as well, and I personally don't think you're over-doing nutrient export with a daily water change. Yes, it may not be needed daily, but if you can do it every day - then why not. Considering your fish, I would do the 1g water change maybe every other day though to save trips to the LFS for saltwater (in my case).
Maybe a HOB fuge could be used opposed to the skimmer. It could be used to hold some of the equipment as well (heater, thermometer, etc).

[Neostead]

Thank you kylebeano for the complements/recommendations. The equipment for sure could be downsized. I ended up bringing over a few items from the larger 45g just to get things up and going w/ the pico. I'll look into setting up a fuge in the very near future and keep you guys posted.

Many Thanks!
Neostead.

[Neostead]

Regarding the Pico Filter...
How often should It be cleaned??

Neostead.

[NemusMaximus]

I clean mine once a week when I do water changes. It gets surprisingly dirty, considering I dont have any fish in my tank. I do feed food every second or third day for the corals tho.

[blindsider]

beautiful!!

[Neostead]

[IMG][/IMG]

Pico update.

[VoidRaven]

Very nice setup! I've been watching all of the Ecopico builds as I'm fairly certain this will be my next pico once I get used to running one (have a 3g currently). Have to rebuild my "good reefing habits" as I would hardly do anything to my 100g but it had amazing growth and stability. I've quickly seen that picos/nanos are a much different ballgame.

The coloring of your favia is very nice! How are the 2 corals on the very bottom of the tank doing with the lighting? I will most likely be going with 5 LED strips when I do this to try and have a couple of the hardier SPS but I'm interested in your results for the other corals under 3 strips.

[Neostead]

Hey VoidRaven.

The two frags down below are doing just fine. One of them is a Sunny-D paly and was allowing it to acclimating abit to the lighting... since then I've attached it to the rock and Its doing well. The other frag is an acro I believe. Full polyp extension, seems to be very happy.. just have yet to find a good spot to attach.

Over all these little pico's are super legit! It's weird.. Every day I look foward to the maintenance, feeding, and water changes..couldn't say that about my old 45g.lol
I'll be adding 2 of the 12k strips (white only).. I think theres enough blue already?

Also.. I'm still working on the exact name of that favia. I went to my LFS where I bought from and had asked to get more info regarding that favia. The guy totally failed to give me any additional info and the colonly he fraged from was totally bleached out. =/

I'll keep you posted on any other pics I take.

Many Thanks,
Neostead.