Chester Copperpot
New Member
Hello all,
I have never owned a saltwater tank before, and, have just inherited a 3 gallon Pico tank from a co-worker. I understand such a small tank is not good for starters but the cost for starting a larger tank was too great.
The tank came as a kit, I have provided the link below so you see what I'm working with.
My co worker modified the tank to include a 3 chamber filtration system made from Plexiglas. The first chamber has only a heater, then to the second chamber filled with filter media, and then onto the third housing the power head, returning the water to the tank.
I don’t think the system is working very well because the pump does not seem to get enough water (this could be because the water level drops so quickly). Also, he did not do a very good job of sealing everything.
The tank originally came with a hang on back filter. I have been looking at a few setups online and many picos seem to use a hang on back filter.
1. Should I ditch the 3 chamber system and return the tank to a hang on back filtration system? I believe this way I would have more water in the tank as the chambers cut into the volume of the tank.
2. Or should I create my own Plexiglas chambered system? What would be the best design? Use only a 2 chamber? Since I have never done this I dont know what would work best. I like the look of everything being hidden.
Right now the tank is about 3 months old with 3 pieces of live rock and sand. There were 2 hermit crabs. I say, were, because I think I killed them. The water level drops quickly and I have no way to check salinity which brings me to my next question.
3. What else do I need?
I am trying to keep initial start up cost to a minimum. So I would prefer to only get the essentials. I will be getting pre-mixed salt water from my LFS for water changes which I plan on doing weekly. RO water for topping off from a friend in the hobby.
Refractometer
Thermometer
Do I need Test kits? If so which ones.
For now I would just like to get the filtration system, water level, and salinity levels under control before I do anything else.
I don’t plan to add much. simple corals clean up crew, perhaps a fish.
Sorry for such a long read. Any help would be much appreciated.
BRAD
Here is that link
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=15493
I have never owned a saltwater tank before, and, have just inherited a 3 gallon Pico tank from a co-worker. I understand such a small tank is not good for starters but the cost for starting a larger tank was too great.
The tank came as a kit, I have provided the link below so you see what I'm working with.
My co worker modified the tank to include a 3 chamber filtration system made from Plexiglas. The first chamber has only a heater, then to the second chamber filled with filter media, and then onto the third housing the power head, returning the water to the tank.
I don’t think the system is working very well because the pump does not seem to get enough water (this could be because the water level drops so quickly). Also, he did not do a very good job of sealing everything.
The tank originally came with a hang on back filter. I have been looking at a few setups online and many picos seem to use a hang on back filter.
1. Should I ditch the 3 chamber system and return the tank to a hang on back filtration system? I believe this way I would have more water in the tank as the chambers cut into the volume of the tank.
2. Or should I create my own Plexiglas chambered system? What would be the best design? Use only a 2 chamber? Since I have never done this I dont know what would work best. I like the look of everything being hidden.
Right now the tank is about 3 months old with 3 pieces of live rock and sand. There were 2 hermit crabs. I say, were, because I think I killed them. The water level drops quickly and I have no way to check salinity which brings me to my next question.
3. What else do I need?
I am trying to keep initial start up cost to a minimum. So I would prefer to only get the essentials. I will be getting pre-mixed salt water from my LFS for water changes which I plan on doing weekly. RO water for topping off from a friend in the hobby.
Refractometer
Thermometer
Do I need Test kits? If so which ones.
For now I would just like to get the filtration system, water level, and salinity levels under control before I do anything else.
I don’t plan to add much. simple corals clean up crew, perhaps a fish.
Sorry for such a long read. Any help would be much appreciated.
BRAD
Here is that link
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=15493