2 Gallon Pico Reef “The Rook”

[Reefer805]

So it’s been 6 months into my Reefing career and everything is running smoothly on my 29g sumped mixed reef.
I decided to build a Pico Jar Reef. Running on nothing but bubbles, a light, and a heater.

Equipment used:
Fluval Q.5 Pump
Hydor 25w heater
Abi 12W Par38 Tuna Blue LED Bulb
2 gallon Anchor Hocking glass jar

Biological Equipment:
3lbs live rock
5lbs live sand
Assortment of corals, list will be put together as the cycle is being established.
Stay tuned!

 

[Big G]

So cool. Cookie jar "reefing"

 

[Maximizer]

Should be a sweet build. Are you gonna have a main attraction, like a shrimp or something?

 

[tsav87]

Braver than I. Looking forward to seeing this up and running!

 

[Reefer805]

Update...
ordered the heater. Using a 7.5w bettastik by deep blue instead of the hydor. 25w is a little overkill.
The bettastik is quite small and will hide well in my rockwork.
Also the heater will connected to a simple heater controller such as the Inkbird or STC 1000.
Stay tuned.
Build starts tomorrow!

 

[Reefer805]

Should be a sweet build. Are you gonna have a main attraction, like a shrimp or something?

I’m thinking of it

 

[Dsnakes]

I love these jar reefs. Very cool.

 

[Reefer805]

Update
Got the Bettastik today and man is it tiny!!!
Gunna drill a 1/4 hole in the top of the jar for everything to fit through.
Picking up live rock tomorrow.
Stay tuned.

 

[Reefer805]

Pico build update:

I didnt want the cord to the heater and airline coming over the lip of the jar so I decided to drill a hole slightly bigger than half inch to accommodate both lines.

Ok I’ve drilled a few aquariums, but this was different. A lot thicker, unstable, and unknown if it was gunna explode.


Tools used:

Power drill

1/2” diamond hole saw

Rotary grinder

A whole lot of patience.

 

[Reefer805]

And we have splashed!

5 lbs cured live rock

3 inch sand bed

Waiting for the mailman on my bulb. #picoreef #jarreef #microreef #polyplab #extrememarine #apibulb #therookjar

 

[Rakie]

Now make a little sea swirl !

 

[Reefer805]

I present day one of “The Rook” Jar. #picoreef #nanoreef #jarreef #abibulb #picobuild #polyplab #therookjar

 

[MaddyP]

Following! Love the slim heater!!!

 

[Reefer805]

Following! Love the slim heater!!!

Thank you. Took some research.

 

[Reefer805]

Got my cleaner magnet in the mail!
It’s so tiny!!
Another week and then I can a coral or two!

 

[Reefer805]

So I just added some zoas today to the jar.
Of course after testing and a 50%WC my nitrates are at 10ppm and holding.
I’ll be adding coral slowly over the coming weeks
Stay tuned...

 

[brandon429]

hey you started w homerun versions too that's top shelfs

 

[Reefer805]

hey you started w homerun versions too that's top shelfs

I had these on a frag shelf for a month. Started with two polyp.

 

[Tymac]

Hey, any update? Jar looking awesome so far.

 

[Reefer805]

Hey, any update? Jar looking awesome so far.

Yeah. My heater malfunctioned and cracked the jar.
In the process of rebuilding it.
Stay tuned.