As part of a planned rip-cleap of my Fluval EVO 13.5, I wanted to get rid of a piece of live rock that I felt wasn't aesthetically pleasing in the existing aquascape. I didn't like the idea of just pitching it, and had recently seen these cute little picos showing up here and there and decided, why not start a new tank?
I found a good price on the Deskmate, so ordered one, and started seeding some extra Xport BIO Cubes in my EVO. After a month and when all gear had arrived, I tore down the EVO, replaced the sand, cleaned rocks, and rebuilt the scape. Then I set my sights on the Deskmate. I started with washed sand from the EVO and that singular piece of live rock. Added a handful of BIO Cubes and off we go!
Current Equipment
Lighting: Stock (I think this is enough light, however I wish the balanced the blues with the whites better. I may need to replace at some point in the future but fine for now)
Pump: Replaced stock with a Sicce nano
Heaters: 2 50w Aqueon preset heaters
Controller: Shared Hydros Collective of an X2 and X3
ATO: Hydros ATO
Thermometer: Hydros thermometer
Power: Hydros wifi power strip that currently is not working correctly
The intention is to get as much automated as possible. Once I can figure out what's wrong with my wifi strip (or get it replaced) the plan is to power the heaters, lighting, and pump via the Hydros collective.
Current Livestock
Fish: none
Coral: none
Inverts: All hitchhiked from the moved piece of LR
- 2 Emerald crabs
- Bumblebee snail
- Some other random snails
- Feather dusters
- Spaghetti worm
Fish: none
Coral: Mostly soft, zoas and mushrooms
Inverts: Mantis shrimp
I had a small mantis hitchhike on some KP LR and it's been living in the EVO for the past few months. I think it's responsible for a bunch of snail deaths but there's also been some mysterious fish disappearances. I have no idea if I'll be able to trap it, but if I can I hope to make this pic its new home.
That's if for now! I'm on week 2 and never really had a cycle, so I plan to start moving some coral over from the EVO soon, which will free up room to try to trap the mantis.