PicoParadise Cadlights 4g
Chesapeake, VA
Introduction
I started this aquarium as a learning experience using some freshwater equipment that wasn't being used. My first saltwater aquarium was a 55 gallon tank back in the 90's. Canister filter, tap water, no protein skimmer or sump. Things have changed a lot since then!
Background
This tank started using all stock equipment (light, filter, etc.) that came with my Evolve 4, which was sitting around unused at the time. I wanted to learn what the most critical elements were to upgrade as I went. I've been slowly upgrading both my equipment and my reef keeping skills.
Filtration
Basic filter floss, Purigen, and Cheato in my HOB AC-70, along with live rock and a 1/2" sand bed. No protein skimmer - I rely on regular large water changes.
Lighting
Coral Compulsion 14W PAR30 LED 18k Vibrance Reef Light, using a generic desk light stand from Target. One of the few things in the saltwater world that is both cheap and high quality.
My refugium lamp is a 7W CFL bulb in a homemade receptacle made from a plastic electrical workbox, attached to the back of the refugium with velcro.
My refugium lamp is a 7W CFL bulb in a homemade receptacle made from a plastic electrical workbox, attached to the back of the refugium with velcro.
Flow
The Hydor Flo Rotating Water Deflector attached to the water return is powered by the return pump. I had to drill out a larger return hole in the bulkhead to use larger tubing to increase the flow from the return pump, but now I have plenty of flow.
I added an MP-10, running at 20%, to add some flow for SPS that are higher in the tank and weren't getting much flow from the return pump.
I added an MP-10, running at 20%, to add some flow for SPS that are higher in the tank and weren't getting much flow from the return pump.
Alkalinity
Salinity
Nitrate
Phosphate
Calcium
Magnesium
Temperature
pH
Ammonia
Iron
Iodine
Potassium
Mostly LPS and Zoas, with snails, one Sexy Shrimp, and a brittle serpent starfish for cleanup.
I'm starting to experiment with a few SPS corals just to see how they do.
I have one Green Banded Goby as my token fish. It would be nice to have more but I don't think the corals would do well if I had to feed more than one fish.
I think I've added most of what I'd like to put in the tank for now. I need to sit back and see what thrives and what doesn't, and work on final placement for some of the corals.
I'm starting to experiment with a few SPS corals just to see how they do.
I have one Green Banded Goby as my token fish. It would be nice to have more but I don't think the corals would do well if I had to feed more than one fish.
I think I've added most of what I'd like to put in the tank for now. I need to sit back and see what thrives and what doesn't, and work on final placement for some of the corals.
34 Coral
1 Fish
33 Invertebrate
2 Plant
Equipment
Aeration
Aquarium
Aqueon Evolve 4
AutoTopOff
Tom Aquatics Aqua Lifter Water and Air Pump
Controller
Coralux Storm Lighting Controller
Food
Filter
Purigen
Lighting
Coral Compulsion 14W PAR30 LED 18k Vibrance Reef Light
Fluval Sea Marine & Reef LED Nano Aquarium Lamp
Nanobox Mini Tide
Refugium Light - DIY
Rio Mini Sun Light
Underwater 10W halogen light
Media
Polyester Fill Fiber
Medication
Powerhead
Pump
Hydor Flo Rotating Water Deflector
Mini-Jet 606
Refractometer
Refractometer - Generic
Refugium
AquaClear 70
Salt
Skimmer
PicO SkiM 2.0 Micro Skimmer
78.5 degrees, 1.025 SG. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate all as close to zero as I can measure without spending a fortune on test kits.
I try to keep all other parameters close to freshly mixed water by doing frequent water changes.
I try to keep all other parameters close to freshly mixed water by doing frequent water changes.
Additives
I used Reef Crystals and frequent water changes, along with daily hand doses of Reef Fusion 1 & 2, and Via Aqua Ions for magnesium.
Feeding See more
Cyclop-Eeze · Reef-Roids · Acro Power · Formula Two Pellets · Mysis shrimp · Phytoplan · Zoaplan · Reef Frenzy · Rotifers · Cyclops
Reef Roids and Cyclop-Eaze about twice a week, with the pumps turned off. I target feed the corals and broadcast some Cyclop-Ease in the back of the tank where the Green Banded Goby hangs out.
I use a very small pinch of Reef Roids, and use a small sliver of frozen Cyclop-Eaze. By slicing off slivers, I can make one cube of Cyclop-Eaze last about two weeks. I thaw it in a small container of tank water and use a pipette to put it in the tank.
Every once in a while I use some small Formula One pellets or chop up some frozen Mysis shrimp.
I use a very small pinch of Reef Roids, and use a small sliver of frozen Cyclop-Eaze. By slicing off slivers, I can make one cube of Cyclop-Eaze last about two weeks. I thaw it in a small container of tank water and use a pipette to put it in the tank.
Every once in a while I use some small Formula One pellets or chop up some frozen Mysis shrimp.
Maintenance
I do two water changes per week. One change is about 1 gallon, the other is about 2.5 gallons. Water changes are done right after blowing off the rocks and feeding Reef Roids and Cyclop-Eaze. I also change the filter floss and clean the tank walls then.
On average you perform a 30.2% water change every 8 days.
0% total water change in 2024-05-08T10:29:27.687288Z[GMT].
Inspiration & Goals
I was inspired to try keeping a salt water tank when I started to learn how many people are now successfully keeping Pico reefs. My goal is to keep this tank going long enough for all the corals to outgrow the tank, forcing me to convert my 90 gal freshwater tank to saltwater!
Words of Wisdom
I've kept various tanks, both freshwater and saltwater, for 35 years now. Water changes are probably the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to maintain the quality of your tank. If only it was as easy to do 50% water changes in a 200g tank as it is in a 4g tank...
