2g Pico Build

[Steven Garland]

What's going on guys !!! Been out of the game for a longggg while now,and itching to get back in. Been slowly building some stuff up,gonna be awhile before she is up and going,but oh well.

Equipment I have:

- DeepBlueProfessional 2g Betta Tank
- BioCube Skimmer
- 10lbs Stax Rocks
- Jebao DC650
- AC30
- BRS Carbon
- ChemiPure Blue Nano Pack
- Media Bags
- BWA Bio Cubes

What I need:

- Make a false wall
- Make a light or purchase the new AquaKnight v2 led
- Coral Box ATO
- Salt
- Possibly test kits
-Water
- Heater
- Thermometer

So I don't have a set goal with the tank I just want a colorful,functioning,simple reliable tank. I have no real idea what coral I want,maybe all Zoa's or Acan's maybe mushrooms lol.

I do want to make the tank a AIO to hide everything. I can either use the AC30 to house the media,or use media bags and make a rack,hide the heater and ato. If I use the AC30,it would keep poo from building up in the back area.

I have a 1/2" low pro strainer and a 1/2" loc-line adapter I can use,just use no bulk heads and a step bit to make just a big enough hole.

What do you guys think is the best option ?

 

[Steven Garland]

So my lighting options are as follows:

Something of this nature,although I'm really not wanting the hassle of DIY. I'd do 4x Semi RB,2X NW,2-4X Violets

The new AquaKnight

Or BlueAcro's new Shine Pro,2 channels Ch1: 3x C RB's,1 405,1 415,1 385 Ch2: 2 C RB,1 PCA,1 C Blue,1 Mint,1 C Cyan

 

[Tamberav]

If you plan to keep the HOB, then I would just buy a small heater to fit inside the HOB and a micro ATO since it is tiny. That way you lose no DT space.

If you go AIO, I would just do away with the HOB as the AIO can do everything the HOB would be doing anyways while losing the bulky HOB.

 

[Steven Garland]

If you plan to keep the HOB, then I would just buy a small heater to fit inside the HOB and a micro ATO since it is tiny. That way you lose no DT space.

If you go AIO, I would just do away with the HOB as the AIO can do everything the HOB would be doing anyways while losing the bulky HOB.

I honestly agree with you. The CB ato looks pretty small,so that is no worry to me. I may just use media bags honestly and make a small media rack for them.

I need to go to storage and grab the 5g and rip the acrylic out of that and make the false wall and test water heights and all that. I don't mind losing 2-2.5 of DT space to hide everything.

 

[Steven Garland]

Got the false wall cut,assembled and now I just have to glue it in. Its not 110% perfect,but wanting to stay within a specific budget for the tank,I just didn't want to go out and get one made. Although I did ask around and just wasn't wanting to pay what I was getting quoted.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Looks good though! I don’t agree spend money on more important things when DIY will do just fine.

 

[Phil D.]

One thing is you'll have to be doing daily, Bi-Daily water changes.

 

[Steven Garland]

Looks good though! I don’t agree spend money on more important things when DIY will do just fine.

That's exactly how I feel. Not that their product,time,material isn't worth it. But I had everything,so eh why not ? Now that $35 can go towards my light or all the other items I need now.

 

[Steven Garland]

One thing is you'll have to be doing daily, Bi-Daily water changes.

Not even,I kept a 2g Acro dominate cube for over a year with just weekly water changes and NEVER had a problem.

 

[BeardedMcG]

One thing is you'll have to be doing daily, Bi-Daily water changes.

I ran a 4g pico cube for months doing 100% water changes weekly with coral and one fish just fine. Only biological filtration and never had issues with nutrients. Bi-daily would be a little overkill.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Not even,I kept a 2g Acro dominate cube for over a year with just weekly water changes and NEVER had a problem.

Do you have photos of that? I’d love to see it.

 

[Steven Garland]

Do you have photos of that? I’d love to see it.

Here are a few,I have a thread somewhere with almost all my pics from this tank,here are a few and then the tank before it got SLAMMED full.

Led was 2 NanoBoxReef 11up's and 6 violets,AC50 with carbon,Gnome Skimmer and weekly water changes.

 

[Steven Garland]

Finally got the false wall in,the DC650 is perfect for flow at full power it keeps the back chamber full(er) like it should.

Now I need to figure out my light....man o man..

 

[BeardedMcG]

Do you have a light in mind?

 

[Steven Garland]

Do you have a light in mind?

I have a buddy who will sell me a Prime HD for cheap I could use or the new AquaKnight V2 or I can make my own. Choices choices choices.

 

[Steven Garland]

Got my light figured out,it should be here Friday. Should be a par monster for what I want it to be.

 

[Katrina71]

Details. Dish.

 

[Steven Garland]

I know its a Meanwell PSU & a single and double driver from Steves,MakersLed 6" hestsink and the leds I'm not sure of. The guy whole sold it too me couldn't find his list. So I will just test them all once I get them and redo the array. He did say it was a mixture of white,royals,violets & mint.

So depending on what leds are there,I may order 1 Luxeon Cool Blue and 2 390-400nm violets.

Details. Dish.

 

[Katrina71]

My son has Steve's in his Biocube. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Steven Garland]

My son has Steve's in his Biocube. You won't be disappointed.

Well its not their strips,just single leds as you can see. I have been using Steves and Rapid for year and have never had a complaint.