Sams DIY Pico

[timmeh1]

Looking good Sam! Cant wait to see how it progresses

[culturedreef]

Starting to come together Sam if you need stock just give me a call.

[sparker]

Cheers John - what did you have in mind? It's a pretty small tank
Sam

[culturedreef]

You can call around and have a look at what you like and we can work out if it will be OK for the pico.

[sparker]

Cheers mate- will do, will be in touch in a week or two (want to make sure its had a decent time to get a cycle done)

Sam

[sparker]

Had a couple of people PM me regarding the Smart ATO used on this tank asking for some more details.

Basically, it is a tiny, clever little ATO. Cheap too, retails at $150 I believe. No moving parts, uses optical sensor to see if water level is too low and connects to an incredibly small (yet powerful) pump in your RODI reservoir. This is what you get in the box (note the 20c coin showing size)


Here is a video of the unit in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVFeEtXV-W0

Let me know if you have any other questions!
Sam

[Kah]

Picked up one of these as well. Dont know if I will use it on my pico yet, but it is probably the smart thing to do.

[sparker]

This pico experience got me thinking and has made me take a slightly different path. I've made a scale replica of my new 6x2x2.5 main tank. Tank is built, plumbed and currently cycling, I will need to pillage some parts of the existing pico to complete the build though (mainly lighting). I have the same sand as a pretty close replica of the aquascape in there at the moment (well, it has three bommies... lol). Looking pretty cool. Just need to finalise lighting and hood ventage before setting up on desk at work.

Few early build/progress pics below







Final short video testing flow from pump and drain to sump. Since then I have redone the pump outlet with a durso so that it doesn't siphon back into sump (and then overflow!) once power goes out.
http://youtu.be/asCxYhZCKVw

Cheers!
Sam

[Wakareefer]

Awesome idea with the scale model tank mate!

[sparker]

Just to prove that the new tank is wet and is nearing completion of cycle, I have attached a couple of pics. Also nearly completed the lights for this new tank, will run 4 seperate chanels via a typhon controller




Sam