Custom 1.75 Gallon Shallow Pico

[Frugal Aquarist]

Welcome to my thread on my custom 1.75-gallon shallow pico reef tank! This project has been a labor of love, and I’m excited to share the journey and the unique setup that makes this small aquarium thrive.

The 1.75-gallon tank is designed to be shallow, allowing for a beautiful aquascape and easy maintenance. The shallow depth creates a stunning visual effect, perfect for showcasing small coral frags and colorful inhabitants.

The aquascape features a mix of live rock and sand to create a natural habitat. I opted for a minimalist approach, focusing on a few key pieces of rockwork to provide hiding spots for inhabitants while maximizing swimming space (if i want to add a fish in the future…)

Tank Specs

• Custom glass tank: 25x20x15 cm
• Hang-on-back filter
• 4-watt DIY LED light (no adjustable features)
• Computer fan and ceiling fan for temperature control

Setup Overview

• Established on 11 June 2024
• Weekly water changes: 50-100%
• Only tested salinity.

Current Livestock

• Couple of heads of zoanthids
• Frag of NPS gorgonian
• Mushrooms
• “Baby” frogspawn
• Mainstream clove polyp

Here are some photos of the setup and a link to my YouTube video for a closer look at the tank:

This tank is a work in progress, and I’m excited to share updates as I go along!

And here is my youtube video link:

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Your pictures make the pico look huge! Following along! (we have a pico, too, so it's always interesting seeing what people do with them).

 

[Flameback Pair]

Subscribed.

 

[nickscorals]

Following along! Will you be adding fish?

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

Following along! Will you be adding fish?

As a beginner, my curiosity about keeping a fish in this tight space has never faded, so yes, I decided to add one
Here’s an update: I’ve chosen a Yellow Clown Goby to bring more life into the tank. Look how cute he is!
View attachment 3852348 View attachment 3852351 View attachment 3852352 View attachment 3852349 View attachment 3852350

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

 

[VintageReefer]

This makes me wonder if I could put a clown goby in my 1.1 pico peninsula. I worry about the impact from food and waste on such a tiny volume. I would love to have a fish in mine though. Your tank is very nice and inspiring

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

Hi everyone! I’m excited to share my latest video titled “Hunt For The One,” where I take you on a journey through Jatinegara Fish Market in Jakarta, searching for the perfect fish for my reef tank. You’ll see my tank’s transformation, the vibrant atmosphere of the market, and the different fish species available. I hope you enjoy the adventure and the moments captured along the way. Your feedback would mean a lot to me! Thank you.

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

This makes me wonder if I could put a clown goby in my 1.1 pico peninsula. I worry about the impact from food and waste on such a tiny volume. I would love to have a fish in mine though. Your tank is very nice and inspiring

Thank you! I also worry about the parameters, especially since my maintenance routine is just regular water changes. If something goes wrong, I’ll probably move him to my friend’s tank.

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

Exciting update! I’ve added a new friend to the reef—this stunning Toadstool Coral. I’m excited to see how it flourishes in my tank. Any guesses where it might be from?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Exciting update! I’ve added a new friend to the reef—this stunning Toadstool Coral. I’m excited to see how it flourishes in my tank. Any guesses where it might be from?

Great picture of your toadstool!

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

Great picture of your toadstool!

Thank you. Can you help me identify this toadstool? The seller mentioned it’s a Japanese Willow, but I’m not sure.

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

update!

 

[Brian60077]

following, it is so awesome, and gives me hope mine will be as nice, although I need to learn to take time and not rush things.

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

Hello everyone! How was your holiday?

I wanted to share some photos of my tank, but sadly, not all the news is good. My Yellow Clown Goby didn’t make it—his curiosity got the better of him, and I found him stuck in the propeller of my hang-on-back filter. Before that, he managed to tear apart my beloved Pocillopora, which I adored so much.

Things took another turn when my Discosoma shriveled up and my Goniopora started showing signs of distress (I suspect it was infected, but I’m not sure). I tried to save it by moving it to my quarantine tank, but unfortunately, it didn’t survive—likely due to my lack of experience.

On a different note, I’m seriously tempted to switch out the sand floor in my tank. Blasting it clean every night before bed has become quite a chore.

 

[Arkardios]

What a gorgeous tank!

 

[Frugal Aquarist]

What a gorgeous tank!

Thank you so much!

 

[Tahoe61]

It's really such a lovely tank.
Your tank is so young, if it were my tank I would leave the sandbed as is and let the tank mature more.
It's unusual for Discoma to have an issue though. Goniopora I can understand.
You didn't mention chemistry? Are you doing any water changes?

Again it is a fantastic looking little tank.


EDIT: Yup you're doing water changes. :)

 

[kevgib67]

Awesome little tank, I’m always amazed at what can be done in such a small volume of water. My oldest son is cycling a 1.5g that he set up a couple of days ago. I’m going to share this thread with him for inspiration.

 

[nickscorals]

Checking back in, looking really great man!