700ml (0.2G) 3D Printed Pico Reef

[Polymate3D]

Take 2 - Day 27

Boring update. Aquarium is just running along fine. The SPS that was bleaching that I moved into here has gone. the Palys are settling now at the front. The toadstool is happy till about 6PM when it shrinks up. Yellow Zoas on too has a 3rd little polyp now and the 2 Kenya tree frags are looking good and happy.

Temperature has remained stable and water changes are easy. Water evaporation each week is super minimal and the premixed saltwater from my LFS is resulting in the refractometer being rather pointless on this tank. So far it hasn't change more than a single point over a week, and the 50% water changes negate out any change anyway

Algae is being controlled by a hermit crab which goes in every now and then. Over 27 days he has been in twice and will go in again soon.

The 1.7L IKEA Jar and 5L 18cm cubes are in development at the moment and it is likely that the 1.7L IKEA jar will adopt these corals and make a permanent home for the hermit crab and a little goby. This one however will still run until that moment.

What I can conclude is the circuits work and work well. The thermistor on the back isn't ideal, and so new ideas will be used on future pico's.

Running a small volume reef aquarium like this 0.7L seems to be entirely possible and easy permitting the equipment is made for it and it has a tight sealing lid. Running open top or with big holes for power cables is not something you want.

By having the motor for the pump external and the heating from underneath, no wires go into the aquarium enabling a very tight fitting lid and good water stability.

See you in the next one. Should be at least 1 or 2 updates left before the transistion!

- Paul

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

Niev

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Take 2 - Day 27

Boring update. Aquarium is just running along fine. The SPS that was bleaching that I moved into here has gone. the Palys are settling now at the front. The toadstool is happy till about 6PM when it shrinks up. Yellow Zoas on too has a 3rd little polyp now and the 2 Kenya tree frags are looking good and happy.

Temperature has remained stable and water changes are easy. Water evaporation each week is super minimal and the premixed saltwater from my LFS is resulting in the refractometer being rather pointless on this tank. So far it hasn't change more than a single point over a week, and the 50% water changes negate out any change anyway

Algae is being controlled by a hermit crab which goes in every now and then. Over 27 days he has been in twice and will go in again soon.

The 1.7L IKEA Jar and 5L 18cm cubes are in development at the moment and it is likely that the 1.7L IKEA jar will adopt these corals and make a permanent home for the hermit crab and a little goby. This one however will still run until that moment.

What I can conclude is the circuits work and work well. The thermistor on the back isn't ideal, and so new ideas will be used on future pico's.

Running a small volume reef aquarium like this 0.7L seems to be entirely possible and easy permitting the equipment is made for it and it has a tight sealing lid. Running open top or with big holes for power cables is not something you want.

By having the motor for the pump external and the heating from underneath, no wires go into the aquarium enabling a very tight fitting lid and good water stability.

See you in the next one. Should be at least 1 or 2 updates left before the transistion!

- Paul

Do you have any updates on your tank? I really like the idea of 3d printing stuff for your tank!

 

[I never finish anythi]

Looks awesome.love it .

 

[Polymate3D]

Do you have any updates on your tank? I really like the idea of 3d printing stuff for your tank!

Hey!

Sorry I didn't update this thread. Oh boy has a lot happened since then!

The 0.7L Pico served the boards and testing purposes, and so on day 30 I called it a day, as I had a new board to test, codenamed 'Interim' as it was to test some ideas and start homing in to a finalised board design.

IKEA Jar 1.7L Pico

This was then setup using a IKEA 365 jar available in most places. This was 1.7L and the thread for this one can be found here:

IKEA 1.7L Pico Jar Aquarium

That thread contains the board, the setup, and a lot of 3D printed parts as well. It ran for 86 days and even housed a Yellow Goby for around 60 of those days. The aquarium was stopped as heating was marginal and the aquarium was dipping down to 23c(73f) when the room was 18c(64f). Lighting also needed a boost!

Unfortunately since the dismantle of that aquarium, the Yellow Goby who was always on the skinnier side went into my fluval flex with 2 Bangai Cardinals, and passed away. I suspect food again, as in the pico he was feeding 2 times a day and no competition. In hindsight I should of just kept the tank going for him.

New parts in development

The new board is here waiting to be soldered and tested, and the test platform will be the 0.7L once again. The long term test may be the 0.7L again (10cm cube), or possibly a 15cm cube (2.5L).

Heating output is increased from 3.75W to 4.5W which should give it another 1c heating capability. A internal thermistor also exists on the board to make sure the board itself does not exceed a set temperature.

Other features include the cooling header which will be able to run either a small fan, or a small TEC & Fan setup. All key connections are not situated just outside the base and will have a protective cover in case of water. This will make easy access to the key parts of the aquarium (Thermistor, Pump, LED 1, LED 2 & Cooling).

The base has the light switch moved to the front, and the power is now done through a USB-C connector. More details will be shared as the design gets closer to being tested.

Final piece to show is the lid. Like the others, no wires go into the aquarium, and there is a focus on a well sealing aquarium lid to avoid evaporation. By having a good seal, and the heat from the pump being omitted from the small water volume, vastly better temperature monitoring can be achieved.

The other key aspect is the new canopy design which enables the LED light to spread out evenly prior to contacting the water surface. The front circle is a easy access feeding hole which will have a rubber cover when not in use.

-----

So the thread along with this information bring you up to date. So far my experience is that these tiny aquariums can be done rather easily permitting you stick to set rules:

(1) Lid is required
(2) Equipment is designed for Picos
(3) Keep your inhabitant choices wisely

The later for example, is avoid fast growing SPS that is going to suck out the elements quickly. Stick to some easier pieces or slower growing pieces.

In respect to the Yellow Goby, the 0.7L, 10cm cube is just too small in my eyes. He seemed okay in there a few days but I didn't see it as a good option.

The 1.7L, 14cm wide IKEA jar however was really good. The 3D printed rock allowed perching, a little cave, hiding spot down the back and swimming area in the top half of the Pico. I suspect the 15cm cube would be even better. I don't think it is coincidence that he was skinny in my EVO tank struggling to get food, then was fine in here before passing away in the FLEX. When he had no competition for food, he got what he needed, and I think many gobies are not strong characters.

My current opinion is a Pico is a perfect option for a little Goby, like a small aquarium for a Betta (8L+). I know this is against many peoples opinions, but this is the second goby I have lost after them returning to a bigger tank with competition.

As always, any questions, feel free to ask away!

- Paul