"Pico Aquariums" brand AiO

[Crude]

Any one have experience with these? Still trying to find the perfect mini/nano/pico (form/function and appropriately sized for my bar area).

The Manta Ray series looks like it would be perfect for my application, as height is my limiting dimension. I'd probably go for the 12x9x12 or 15x9x15 version.

I think the main competition is the Ecoxotic Pico, but they are pretty different. Would I want to use some additional filtration in the Manta Ray, since its just an overflow/sump/bio area?

All thoughts are welcome I'm up in the air as whether to make this a Fish/LR SW tank, or a driftwood/ADG style hardscape. So, take that in to account

(the PicoAquarium stuff is here: www.picoaquariums.com/)

[Mzungu]

You know my vote. But if you check out ADG's stuff, they were doing a couple nano reefs with EcoPicos, not sure if they're still up, but they were running really well a few months ago! You can now buy additional LEDs to add light to the stock fixture.

Edit: Here's a video.

[Crude]

ADG also has a great ecopico fw hard scape

[barrettsline]

Really why did you have to post something like that. I dont have my 300 done yet and now I want one of these!!!

[Crude]

No kidding. So many other things I also need to be putting my time towards... lol

Here's where I'm going to put it (once granite gets put on). This used to be a crappy little unusable desk. Now its full of alcohol. Yay. I'm even tempted to try an ADA 60-F with driftwood sticking out. crazy lol.

[Complexity]

That's a great spot for a tank! Can't wait to see it all in place.

I'm going to have to focusing on studying for my GRE exam so my tanks will take a back seat for awhile. Then I'll have some time while waiting to see if I'm accepted into the grad program I'm trying to enter so I can play with my tanks during that time. But then... I'll have to study again which means tanks will take a back seat again for a long while. So I'm going to enjoy them while I can for now!

[barrettsline]

No kidding. So many other things I also need to be putting my time towards... lol

Here's where I'm going to put it (once granite gets put on). This used to be a crappy little unusable desk. Now its full of alcohol. Yay. I'm even tempted to try an ADA 60-F with driftwood sticking out. crazy lol.

im not sure id put one there. but your call, if you notice your fish swimming into walls and your stock is dewindleing well.... then you will know whats going on.

but seriously that would be a nice lttile area for an aquarium. keep us up to date on this little project, it should be interesting.

[Mzungu]

Awesome little space! Are you going to put it on one side? Or get two?

[Crude]

I want to get one and put it in the middle - thats why I'm more and more leaning towards one of the shorter, longer styles of tank like the ADA 60-F or the Mr Aqua 12g. I wanted to have some exposed driftwood sticking out the top, and that word afford me that opportunity. However, I have no experience with these "abnormally" shaped aquariums. This will be a hardscape, but obviously without a lot of vertical space.

I won't have the opportunity to hide any of my equipment beneath the cabinets (A solid slab of granite is going in). Any ideas on how I could keep the tank as minimalistic as possible?

[barrettsline]

Self contained wet dry that sits in the back maybe. Don't know much about these little tanks but try to find a self contained compact system to get what you need and to minimize equipment.

[Crude]

I think I'll try an internal or a small canister (like the zoomed) and see if I can't find an aesthetic way to hide it (internally or externally depending on the filter).

So, I'm picturing a tank that is probably 8-9" tall, with driftwood sticking out another 3-4". Not sure if I'll have any rocks... Substrate will be a large diameter, natural colored sand.

If this tank is 10-12g, what would be appropriate stocking considering it would be so shallow? I'm assuming I'll have some sort of schooling tetra (or maybe barb?), but it would be nice to have some sort of "show" fish... Something like an Angel or a Discus - and while I know that they are way too large and demanding for such a small tank, there must be something nano-y that has the same effect, yeah? :)

Really leaning towards the Mr. Aqua 12g, if I could find it in stock somewhere.

[barrettsline]

Look into some rams. They would be nice in a small environment like that.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.256186,-95.211939

[Crude]

They do look nice. Def on my list.

Anyone think a Fluval G3 looks sexy enough to be actually on the counter next to the tank? Otherwise I'll be going with an internal. I wish I could find a stainless canister like the ADG supplied one, that wasn't so big or expensive....

[barrettsline]

DIY ya one.

G3 would be sexy!


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.346092,-95.033172

[Mzungu]

Rams are great, as are some of the apistos that are out there, if you want the "show" type of fish. If you want a schooling type fish, there are a lot of classy looking fishes out there, too! Danios have really expanded in the hobby, and there are some great ones. And gobies are pretty darn cool, too. :)

As for filtration, yeah, I agree that the ADA stainless is probably the sexiest-looking, but as for nano-filtration, there's not much as of yet, unless you go with an all-in-one system. The Tom Rapids mini canister is kinda cool, I have one and love it, but it's not as easily hidden...