My Planted PICO tank

Hello all

3 years ago I tried my hand at keeping marine tanks. I started with a 24G reef tank. Upgraded to a 34G tank and thoroughly enjoyed marines. Then I started my masters in Chiropractic and studies led to me selling the tank.

I bought a 24G JBJ Nano Cube in December hoping to start a new reef in Jan, when i was buying good for the new reef tank I noticed this awesome little PICO tank at the counter. Needless to say, I bought it intending to grow a small soft coral garden. Did some research on the net and stubled upon TASA (linked from MASA) - freshwater planted tanks are just so awesome! - the 24G intended for my reef is now sitting in my garage, brand new never seen water. Incidentally i'm going to sell that tank as this new little freshwater planted tank has really caught my fancy!

Ok enough rambling, here's my setup so far:

8L (not taking into account substrate and rocks/plants etc)


The plants are just "testers". I am getting a few nano-sized plants in soon


Here's a bottle of wine for size comparison


Many thanks to Dolphin for all the advice! here is a substrate shot of my "low tech" non CO2 planted tank. Prodac humus/humusplus at bottom. Prodac substrate above it, capped with 4cm of black aquarium gravel. I will be dosing with seachem flourish excel.


Top down shot. I will probably replace this little clip on LED light with a higher wattage desk lamp.


Comments/suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

Awesome little setup, Fish...?

 

It's looking really good. :blink1: Where did you buy the PICO?

 

Looks fantastic!

 

ya where did you get the tank form?? Looks really nice!

 

I like it dude! It definately has it's place!

 

Wow, that is EXACTLY the type of thing I'm looking for.

How much did it cost you?

Does it come with the filter, lights and so on all included?

 

Great little tank!!

I saw the same tank at a LFS near Northgate. Quite expensive, but it's really nice. Too small for me though.

PS: That Anubias Plant you have on the left of the tank... Attach it to the little piece of wood. If the Rhizome is buried, it will rot and die. Also, maybe you should try an easy Rotala plant species in there as well... Or even some Hemianthus Micranthemoides. It's a very nice little plant.

 

Yeah not cheap tanks (go for around R700 but that includes lighting, pump etc)
Available through VIP Pets in Northgate/Cresta. Tank make is Dymax.

 

They have a nice Pico setup on their counter.They was so nice they gave me some moss from that tank.Really looks very nice Matt.:bigsmile:

 

Slojo: Only kept marines in the past so initially set it up for saltwater, however the evaporation meant huge swings in salinity, and the auto topups available aren't sensitive enough... I then decided freshwater planted and am so glad I did!

 

You lucky you got some of that moss. I have been eyeing it for months! Everytime I ask the manager he refuses to give me any. I even offered to give him a "bonus" of R50.00 if he just gives me a SMALL clipping.

 

what moss might that be?

 

looks great

 

Dunno... The guys call it "guppy grass" but I've come to believe that anything that looks like guppy fry will survive in is called guppy grass by the LPS!

 

It's normal Java Moss... Nothing really special. But mind you, Hillfox sells a small ball of Java Moss for R200!!! It's ridiculous.

I might get a small tank like this for my office desk!! I've been thinking about it more and more...

 

I bought a "coke can size" of Java moss for R25.00 from another supplier.

 

Hi Zoom does that supplier still live? Would like to get some.

 

Yes. Derek from Fish Fantasy World in Honeydew.