Pico Nano

[subber]

After seeing a project by a guy in Canada, I decided to try a different method using the same idea. I started with a Pico Nano size tank...2 1/2 gallon tank. The amount of water is really small so decided to increase the total using a very modified canister filter
which I already had laying around (3gal). I wanted to incorporate all the water treatment methods within the canister. The canister has four levels (trays) which I used for separation of different water treatments. The water flows in the top to the bottom of the filter and rises thru the four trays before going back out to the tank. The first layer (from the bottom up) is foam to catch particulates. It then goes through a Live Rock rubble layer. Then up to a (macro algae) level to which I have installed an 18w 10k PC bulb light to give the required light for the algae, I used two Trays ( layers) to accomplish this to give the algae room to grow. The water next goes up to an activated carbon layer to take out impurities and I also installed a 25w heater (Hagen submercible) to maintain temperature which because of the amount of flow, changed too fast without it.
The flow is controlled with valves on the input and output hoses to the tank. With the valves open completely, I get a sand storm. With it almost closed, there isn't enough so in between on the input and almost full on the output works best. I have a few zoo's, some shrooms, a torch, frog spawn and waiting for one fish. Two hermit crabs,and 1 snail maintain clean up and some bristle worms which I added to the sand. The tank has been up now 6 weeks and all is well. I am now building the canopy as the base was finished yesterday and the permanent lighting (two 20w 50/50 bulbs and an 10w 10K and four lunar Blue LEDs ) will be installed with two fans.
The water auto top off is a quart size container with two tubes going to the tank. Very simple , very efficient. Will post pics of the complete tank setup when it is done.Here are a few for now. Pics of tank are while it was cycling with old filter and old light.

[NaCl_H2O]

Very interesting! Is the macro light submersed in saltwater when the filter is running, or did I miss something?

[subber]

Yes the light is on, I have since put the lamp in a clear tube so that if it broke I wouldn't have to clean out the canister. I'll add a picture of that in a later post.

[gjuarez]

looking good emilio. Like Steve, I also wanted to ask about the lighting in the canister. BTW, check out the 46g bowfront pics thread, I think you may recognize some of the corals.
Jerry

[fastcat]

what brand and model is the canister?

[subber]

A CFS4 Odessey but can be done with any..........