JBJ 3 Gallon PICO (Build day - 7/5/19)

[Tony Tech]

Back into the hobby after a 5 year break (due to relocating from Boston to San Diego). I'm hoping to revisit this thread in 3-5 years and see how much the tank has matured and share that growth with fellow hobbyist. Welcome to my thread. - Tony

First the equipment, Purchased locally with the exception of the JBJ Pico tank.

JBJ PICOTOPE 3-GALLON BOW FRONT GLASS AQUARIUM
Aquaclear 20 Mechanical Filter
Aquamaxx Prism CC LED Lighting
10 lb Nature's Ocean Live Aragonite (white)
Live rock (Branching) + misc (man made) 8 lbs
Coral Pro Salt

Equipment additions: (purchases not guaranteed to be local)
7/7 - Finnex Refugium
7/13 - Ikea Stand: SETSKOG Nightstand, black
7/18 - Smart ATO Micro (installed 7/26)
7/26 - Marine Color 2.5 Gallon Auto Top Off Container
7/26 - Century 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer (for fuge light)
7/26 - Tripp Lite 7 Outlet (6 Individually Controlled) Surge Protector Power Strip

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*Note* - Although the system contains live rock & live sand I don't expect to introduce inhabitants for 7 weeks (August 23rd). And only after doing all my checks and balances on water quality.

7/5 BUILD DAY



7/6 Day 1 (Ghost Town)

[nanoreef1]

I love that 3 gallon JBJ pico. There awesome little tanks fun!

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[Tony Tech]

week 1 pics and updates (still a ghost town minus the Chaeto which has grown to a softball over the last week and had to be trimmed).


added a hob finnex refugium and got a new stand from Ikea.

[Tony Tech]

picked up some art at comic-con this week. #watercolor painting




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[Tony Tech]

my 2.5 gallon reservoir finally arrived. super excited to be able to use the smart ato micro. also picked up a tripplite power strip and a digital timer for the fuge and some test kits.




I love how the sensor is so incognito.




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[Tony Tech]

updated setup pic. keep in mind all this for a 3 gallon picotope. lol. i sure got the itch after so much time away. still a ghost town but ive got tons of pods moving around. started feeding them phytoplankton. might as well help them take over the tank before i introduce anything.




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[sorinwilcox]

Super cool little tank!

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[Tony Tech]

Super cool little tank!

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Thanks. I'm super excited about it. As soon as I'm comfortable I'll be calling for an air package from my peeps in Boston. Use to have a 55 gallon reef out there on BRS for 5 yrs. I can't wait! well technically I can Wait (cause i am waiting). #1 Noob mistake, filling the tank when it's not ready.

[Tony Tech]

dosing pump finally arrived after collecting water samples.






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[Tony Tech]

parts for custom dosing system. (p.s. if anyone has any interest in purchasing a pre-built custom dosing system let me know). I can pre-calibrate them etc. Can Ship or pickup locally. I'm hoping to have a custom holder for them dosers at some point once I'm done designing it.




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[Tony Tech]

dosing system installed. very excited.








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[Tony Tech]

finally got my parameters where i want them




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[Philip271]

That's A LOT of sand for a pico. You are going to be fighting nutrient/waste build up... I'd suggest removing most if not all to save yourself some headaches down the road. Other than that, sweet setup!

[Tony Tech]

I was actually thinking adding more to increase anaerobic bacteria. Theres 2 tiny gobys going in and thats probably it. the rest will be coral and inverts.


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[Tony Tech]

what do you think about moving the sand to the refugium? nothing there but some pods, chaeto and live rock

That's A LOT of sand for a pico. You are going to be fighting nutrient/waste build up... I'd suggest removing most if not all to save yourself some headaches down the road. Other than that, sweet setup!