3 Gallon Picotope Suggestions?

[Reefer42O]

Okay so I’m going to start a JbJ 3 gallon picotope tank and I have a few questions that I would like to share with you guys for your wisdom and opinion’s. Will the mini heater they sell on dr foster and smith be good enough to keep the temp on the tank where it needs to be? Also what light upgrade do you guys recommend for this tank? I’m planning on having about give or take 4-6 pounds of live rock 1.5” sand bed and one small fish either a clown goby or neon maybe even a watchman not sure yet and a bumblebee shrimp. The idea that I have in mind for this tank is to do something out of the ordinary and keep only exceptional corals, a few I have in mind are a few sun polyps “after tank has been well established of course” some real nice zoo’s and yuma’s maybe get some star polyps for added color on the wall of the tank, some pulsing xenia, some green and orange PPE’s from my other tank, and etc. I want to build virtually a small reef for my desk with real nice a variation of color and rare corals. Also would I need to add a small power head for more current and will the filter it comes with be sufficient or should I upgrade or add another one like the one it brings? All opinions and comments are welcome.
Thanks for your time,
Jeff
:?:

 

[cindre2000]

I have a 3 gallon eclipse on my desk. If they are similar size, I would suggest putting two 100gph hang on filters along the back. Such as the small aquaclear, penguin, etc that are sold for 10 gallon tanks. You could then put the heater in the filter- maybe? As for light, I would say you should make your own, That way you can really up the watts.

 

[Reefer42O]

Yeah i was thinking about just buying another one of the filters it comes with and putting the heater in the filter as you suggested and about the lighting I'm thinking about getting the 12" 32 watt coral life kit they have on foster and smith. Also would i need a mini powerhead with two filters?
Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[cindre2000]

That lighting sounds good. As for flow, you just have to determine how much flow you think you need. Mostly I would say you just will have to look at the tank to see what you think.

Right now I am thinking of putting a closed loop on my 3g picotope. That way I have more room in the tank. Also, the tank is in a recessed portion of my cheap desk and I cannot see behind it anyways. Though I need to concentrate on building the chiller.