[kirsh]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum.

After a previous disaster with a marine tank (Builder screwed up the tank), I decided to jump in and start a Pico tank. I had already had all the equipment and the tank is a JEBO R310. Its a bit small I know but I just wantto keep a few corals, maybe 2 shrimp and a clown fish.

I cleaned out the tank last Monday added the salt, live rock and some base rock and started to cycle the tank.

I managed to get a T5 actinic tube that fits, so no mods on the lighting as yet.
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/kdk/Documents/PERSONAL/TANK[/IMG]
Pic of the tank at start up. The Sun Sun powerhead is now removed as I was using it to mix in the salt.

Anyway just wanted to say the forum is great and the advice is really helpful.

Just found a Featherduster worm, so YAY.

Will keep posting as the tank matures.

[mariusmeyer]

Welcome to SARK man. Your images will have to loaded onto the web before they will show. You can check out the link in my signature on how to upload and then link pics via the forum or you could use a photo sharing sire such as photobucket.

Looking forward to many pics.

[kirsh]

Thanks for the help Marius .

Let me try this again.

[mariusmeyer]

What are the lighting specs of these tanks? About 4 nice zoas, a few mushrooms and you have a very nice easy to maintain system.

[kirsh]

I managed to get a 8 watt 10 000k actinic fluorescent bulb that fitted into the current light housing.

Was thinking along the same lines, just a few zoas and shrooms. would like it to be easy for my first time.

The tank has been cycling for a week, and just put in some freeze dried tubi worms to help get the ammonia levels up.

[Regal]

uhm i think your flow pump might be too big for the tank

[mariusmeyer]

You are sped reading again Regal . Pump was only in there for salt mixing. Has since been removed.

[reeflover]

I think he mentioned he was going to remove it..

Nice system, would be awesome if you can get some really cool zoas in there. there are truly awesome ones around these days.

[RichMatlock]

[JohnR86]

[kirsh]

Thanks Guys,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Yep the pump was just for mixing in the salt. So far I have one Feather duster worm but am patiently waiting for the cycle to complete before I can start adding any livestock.

Do you guys think that the lighting is fine or should I add more ? Also should I add sonme chemical filteration?

[mariusmeyer]

In a small tank this size, seachem purigen will work wonders and last a long time. With it only having a 8W light it will only be able to house low light corals. If it is possible to add say a 24W PL tube then it would be perfect. Just wonder if it would fit. Will take some measurements of how long a tube and lamp holder is this evening and then you can see if it will fit.

[kirsh]

Thanks Marius,

Sorry, whats a PL tube?

[mariusmeyer]

PL tube is the T5 that is folded double. So you get higher wattage with a compact length.

This is what the look like...

[kirsh]

Thanks Marius,

I did see them at builders and they will fit in the lighting hood. Just need to get the housing for them and then I can wire it together. Will 4000k be fine. This was the highest rating I could find

[mariusmeyer]

Thats the problem. 4000K will not be good for a marine tank. You get dedicated ones for marines which are a combination of 10000K and 20000K. They get used in the bigger nanos such as the JBJ and boyu tanks.

[kirsh]

Thanks Marius ,

I will have a look around for them.

BTW saw you tank transformation, its awesome. Something to work towards.

Just a question if I jest keep a few shrooms, zoas and maybe a cualiflower would this be fine with the current light?

[mariusmeyer]

Thanks for the compliment man. I dont really think your current light is enough for corals. Mushrooms maybe but they will all battle with growth.

[kirsh]

Thanks Marius,

Any idea of how long the live rock takes to fully colonise during the cycle? Just wondering because I tested my water yesterday and my Nitrites have spiked so I will monitor for the next week.

I have heard that there will be lots of little critters appearing from the rock

[kirsh]

Any idea where I get these PL lights. Phoned around and no one seems to stock them in that kelvin rating.