1.3g Micro Garden

[Arkardios]

Not setup yet, but in the planning phase. I've some free space on my desk (unacceptable) and need me some zoas. They get easily overwhelmed in my 15g by the macroalgae.

Planned is either a 1.3g (5 liter) cube or a 2.5g (10 liter) tank, with an AquaClear20 for flow & filtration, and an Amtra Vega Reef light.

Pics to come. :-]

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Arkardios]

I believe I'll go with the 2.5g tall tank, as a contrast to the same 2.5g freshwater tank on the other side of my desk. :)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I believe I'll go with the 2.5g tall tank, as a contrast to the same 2.5g freshwater tank on the other side of my desk. :)

How long have you had the fw tank? Looks like you have made great use of the space

 

[Arkardios]

How long have you had the fw tank? Looks like you have made great use of the space

Been setup for about 2 months. :)

 

[Arkardios]

Not sure if I won't splurge on a new tank... This one's got plenty of scratches.

 

[Lucas Savioli]

Not sure if I won't splurge on a new tank... This one's got plenty of scratches.

Hello!
Maybe the scratches won't be as visible with water on it, you tried testing it with tapwater before?

 

[Arkardios]

Maybe the scratches won't be as visible with water on it, you tried testing it with tapwater before?

I did just now, and promptly split a seam. :(
New tank after all... Or take a look at the other small tanks I still got in the basement.

 

[Lucas Savioli]

I did just now, and promptly split a seam. :(
New tank after all... Or take a look at the other small tanks I still got in the basement.

Oh God...
Luckily (or less worst) it burst before you've set the actual hardscape (and potentially lose all the saltwater)

 

[Arkardios]

And we're off!

Christmas came early and I was gifted the 1.3g cube I had considered buying. :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Rocks are a mix of dry used and ones from my main tank. Those I first had to scrub to get rid of any hypnea macroalgae. Don't want that in the little cube.

 

[Arkardios]

Hung the light up on some string.
Lovely companion to the 'big' tank. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[Lucas Savioli]

Nice workstation!

 

[Arkardios]

Ugly phase is in effect, but corals aren't bothered. :)
Added a small blue leg hermit to temporarily help me out a little, fingers crossed it doesn't knock the corals around too badly.

 

[Arkardios]

Been a while. Switched out the tank for a slightly bigger one, just to install a DIY overflow. I just really like overflows in picos.

Light is still the same, pump is the stock pump of a Fluval Spec III. The walls are build from foam board and superglue and siliconed in place.

While at it, I exchanged some rocks with my main 15g tank, to get some more life into this. Little piece of live rock and some GSP. Along with that came lots of pods that are having a blast on the tank walls. There's still plenty algae to snack on. :-)
The dove snail is also putting egg packets everywhere.

After the switch there was a nice dino bloom. Stayed calm and just kept cruising. Added a small amount of Nite-Out and Special Blend for a week and started adding a pinch of food every now and again and that was it for the dinos.

Most recent addition is another bit of foam board to hold a float valve in place for a gravity ATO. This tiny tank overheats fast with a cover, so evaporation is crucial, especially in summer. Insanity speedrun without an ATO.

Current FTS:

Eventually I'll try for some zoas as well. For now, I'll let the GSP go nuts. Maybe something else small from the main tank. We'll see. :)