I want to start an Aquarium...

rowlman said:

That would make a beautifull paper weight on your desk...but for fish...I'm not to convinced.

Okay, it's a reef, no fish...whats the point??...a couple shrimp maybe?...lol

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Must I remind you that anemones are animals - I counted like 14... 14! No way I could pack that many predators into a fresh water 3 gallon tank

I think I could totally rock a "fish less" fish tank. It would be fun to have 10 of those pico on a wall all planted with different fresh water bio types as well and fill em to the brim with shrimp.

i want a nano. i told my bf and he didn't freak...

yeah, i wouldnt want to put any fish in such a small tank. shrimp maybe or crabs.

find the 180l actually a bit small for my guppies. and its way too small for my bristlenose catfish.

i only want 2 fish and some coral.

is there a way i could sell alligator gar?

I spotted my first tank hatched cherry shrimp today just now I knew I had gravid females but wasn't sure if they would survive the fish - guess they did

He is tiny!

If I have one baby I must have many - and if that's true, when you're ready for it, let me know if you want some shrimp in the mail.

rowlman said:

3 gal. salt water?...lol...are you sure thats not the filter size?...just saying, 3 gal??

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Yeah, I like a challenge....these Pico reefs are awesome, and I've been looking for a new hobby...I assure you, I fully intend to do this right...lol

THE PUMPKINHEAD said:

I would reccomend the ammonia cycle as a matter of fact Metasynth. It's my way of cycling,ensures youll get a full cycle the right way without the other risk factors when you just dump "starter fish" in and prey they live long enough to ccycle the tank. No chance of introducing any unwanted parasites and yucky stuff
Since i started doing the whole planted aquarium thing i've used this expensive plant subsrate thet is equivelant to planting soil but is baked into little balls. That stuff has sooooo much nutrients in the stuff that i just put the tank together and add water,the ammonia leaches out of the substrate and thats my ammonia source. With the stuff,Aquasoil< you HAVE TO CYCLE A LIL LONGER BUT WAY WORTH IT.

Not to shit in your cereal bowl or anything but id reccomend at least a 10 gallon for saltwater. Youll find it extremely hard to keep water stable in anything smaller,20 would be ideal starter. Just my $0.02 u.s.d.

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Definately intend to cycle the tanks, I have patience...and yeah, I understand that pico reefs aren't the easiest things in the world, but I'm willing to throw myself at it with all I've got!

Gastanker said:

Small salt water picos are hard? Damn you youtube!!

[video=youtube;k82_7wNQcUI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k82_7wNQcUI&feature=related[/video]

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Haha...Naw, I have been checking out a couple marine aquarium forums, and there are more than a few first timers there who started with pico reefs, and they're beautiful now...Like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it...so if you're willing to really go for it, i don't see why it wouldn't work out.

rowlman said:

That would make a beautifull paper weight on your desk...but for fish...I'm not to convinced.

Okay, it's a reef, no fish...whats the point??...a couple shrimp maybe?...lol

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Yeah, the plan in the pico reef is to have ONE fish, a few invertebrates, and grow coral...what can I say, i'm addicted to growing.....And hey, I think shrimp are pretty cool!

rowlman said:

...lol...I'm sorry, but I feel guilty putting a guppy in a tank that small.

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Yeah, we'll see what sorta fish I can find, i'll look for one that requires the least amount of space, and doesn't grow large at all.

Gastanker said:

Must I remind you that anemones are animals - I counted like 14... 14! No way I could pack that many predators into a fresh water 3 gallon tank

I think I could totally rock a "fish less" fish tank. It would be fun to have 10 of those pico on a wall all planted with different fresh water bio types as well and fill em to the brim with shrimp.

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I think that would fucking rock...I'm totally on board.....

sso said:

yeah, i wouldnt want to put any fish in such a small tank. shrimp maybe or crabs.

find the 180l actually a bit small for my guppies. and its way too small for my bristlenose catfish.

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Shrimp, crabs, snails, coral...It really is just my desire to have a micro-reef...the fish is optional, thats why I bought the 36 gallon freshwater...for fish...the 3 gallon pico is for a tiny itty bitty reef....lol

Gastanker said:

I spotted my first tank hatched cherry shrimp today just now I knew I had gravid females but wasn't sure if they would survive the fish - guess they did

He is tiny!

If I have one baby I must have many - and if that's true, when you're ready for it, let me know if you want some shrimp in the mail.

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Sweeeeet!!!! I'm still cleaning my room...I have to rearrange some furniture, because the desk I have that will support the weight of the tank is currently in front of a window, so I gotta swap it with my couch...But as soon as I set the tank up and cycle, I'm definately gonna be hitting you up! I'm so glad to see your tank thriving!!

COOL gastanker! Ive been breeding highend cherries and crystals. Hit meee up if you want some real shrimps. Just kidding! Its great when they breed,makes you feel like a parent

I feel like such a showoff but i wanna showoff some of my tanks LMFAO!!

THE PUMPKINHEAD said:

COOL gastanker! Ive been breeding highend cherries and crystals. Hit meee up if you want some real shrimps. Just kidding! Its great when they breed,makes you feel like a parent

I feel like such a showoff but i wanna showoff some of my tanks LMFAO!!

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Beautiful tanks! Just kidding? Fuck, I'd totally pay shipping for some free CRS.

I didn't mean just kidding like you cant have any i meant just kidding about the statement implying you have un-real shrimp,lmao. Do you know how finicky the crs are? theyre not like cherries at all as far as living conditions go. But i wouldnt mind sharing.....give me a couple weeks to get the stock up again (sold alot on craigslist) and if your up to the challenge i got ya. Just a brief rundown they like acidic water 6.0 tds below 250 gh aroung 5 and kh around 0-2 if you have a tank with those parameters you should be fine. Oh temps between 70-73 also.

Gastanker said:

Must I remind you that anemones are animals - I counted like 14... 14! No way I could pack that many predators into a fresh water 3 gallon tank

I think I could totally rock a "fish less" fish tank. It would be fun to have 10 of those pico on a wall all planted with different fresh water bio types as well and fill em to the brim with shrimp.

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Yes , you must remind me consantly why someone would want a 3 gallon tank...WHY??...I know anemonies are animals, 14 plant like animals that just kinda grow...like a plant...wow...exciting to watch while stoned, I guess, if your into tranqulizers and drink alot.
I just think it's more of a tank to display a few anemones and maybe a shrimp or two, like in an office...or a pet store...but WHY spend the time to set-up salt water, do all the work, for a 3 gallon reward??? WHY I ask??...Why, when a 30 gallon tank only cost $30...sure you'll spend alittle more in the long hall, but at least a fish can be added ...A REAL FISH.

I see the point in a reef tank, but I think people should start with freshwater fish, and work their up to a small, DISPLAY tank like that. Anemonies are not pets.

I don't want anemones, they have a tendancy of poisoning the whole tank when they die...I have a 36 gallon tank for freshwater tropical fish, the reef is just another project to keep my busy......Yes, it's a little work, but it's not quite the same as a larger reef setup. I like pretty paperweights...it's art.

Metasynth said:

I don't want anemones, they have a tendancy of poisoning the whole tank when they die...I have a 36 gallon tank for freshwater tropical fish, the reef is just another project to keep my busy......Yes, it's a little work, but it's not quite the same as a larger reef setup. I like pretty paperweights...it's art.

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Thats what I'm saying...it makes a beautiful paperweight...lol.
I'm just trying to help you from doing something that will make you regret the hobbie...I had a shit load of tanks, and small tanks can be very cool, after your happy with your real tank.The one you have is the perfect starter tank...not too big, but plenty big enough for fish to swim around and do their thing. It's been a while since I've been a pet store...it used to be a little more complex ( saltwater set-up ) than it is today...but if you go salt water...and invest all the time and money...I think you want something a little bigger than 3 gallons...I personally wouldn't even bother with saltwater unless you get at least a 50 gallon. But thats just this old stoner dudes opinion.

I would set-up that 3 gallon, go fish shopping, and then go home and hang myself.

rowlman said:

Thats what I'm saying...it makes a beautiful paperweight...lol.
I'm just trying to help you from doing something that will make you regret the hobbie...I had a shit load of tanks, and small tanks can be very cool, after your happy with your real tank.The one you have is the perfect starter tank...not too big, but plenty big enough for fish to swim around and do their thing. It's been a while since I've been a pet store...it used to be a little more complex ( saltwater set-up ) than it is today...but if you go salt water...and invest all the time and money...I think you want something a little bigger than 3 gallons...I personally wouldn't even bother with saltwater unless you get at least a 50 gallon. But thats just this old stoner dudes opinion.

I would set-up that 3 gallon, go fish shopping, and then go home and hang myself.

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Sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.....

Metasynth said:

Sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.....

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I hate the journey, even the band Journey sucks...I like to get to my destination fast...I can smell roses when I get there.

I like watching semi natural interactions between animals and their surroundings. Personally I think I could stair at just a small bit of living rock in a 3 gallon tank for hours and would definately be more intrigued watching some polyps feed than a yellow fish. I agree that it's no place for a fish - I think Id feel bad putting a salt water fish in anything less than a 55. My thought on a 3g pico is that they are great cheap ways to learn the basics if you don't have the money to spend on a large tank. Setting up a 3g pico is $100-200, setting up a 55g with enough live rock and coral to not look empty costs...? $1k? $2k? And a 55 gal with just a bunch of fish and no substrate is just depressing - well I'm assuming so for the fish.

Frags are fucking expensive! Crazy how much easier and cheaper fresh water tanks are - my .5g unfiltered freshwater pico never needed maintenance but I'm guessing Id be fussing over a simple 10g salt tank constantly and still kill everything.

And a $35 anemone is just as much or more of a pet than my $0.25 tetras

I had dreams of dwarf seahorses. It kind of freaked me out.

hell yeah a reef tank...get a tall tank and in the center of the tank put in a tall piece of live rock/coral that goes all the way up to the surface...then get like tiny shrimp and shit like that..not too many animals, more of a habitat terrarium thing. Just get stoned and stare at a miniature scene from a coral reef

Well, I'm certainly excited by the idea...and gastanker is right, setting up a pico can be done for less than 150 bucks...I already run plants in DWC, so I'm no stranger to water changes, topping off, and frequent water quality testing...Anyway...No more controversy over the pico tank, I do also have a 36 gallon bowfront that I'm going to set up as a freshwater tank, so I'll have fish in there...But a 150 dollar saltwater learning curve paves the way for something larger later, and if I can make a 3 gallon tank thrive, it'll only get easier(but more expensive) the bigger I go!

Is the 36g up yet? Have you formulated a battle plan for the landscaping?