3 Gallon Pico Questions

[Camarowithbass]

I recently got a hold of a used 3 gallon pico, its currently cycling.

However I noticed the small filter does not move the water enough to oxygenate the water.

Any of you guys know of a place online to get a small air pump with an air stone. I really Dont want to do this because the airline takes away from the over all look.

Second question is the tank came with black sand and I want to put in some plants. Do I just buy the plants and just stick em in the sand?

Keep in mind im still a newb to the hobby

Thanks

[IvanSanchez]

Throw a 2211 on that tank! haha :)

You can always raise the filter from the rim with foam or something that will fit under it to raise the outflow ramp above the water to agitate the surface tention some more. I'd personally do that than adding an air stone for such a small tank.
What type of filter is it?

I would add some sort of porous gravel under the sand so that the plants can have something to root/grab on.
I had all sand in my 5 gallon tank with rotala in it and it just seemed to uproot. When it uprooted I could see that it wasn't grabbing onto anything. So I added a layer of FloraMax under the sand and my plants aren't moving anywhere!

If your going pure sand then yes, just stick 'em in the sand. Although they might uproot =/ You can stick some root tabs under the plants to nourish them or just dose excel!

[jhenry]

I like the 2211 idea. And I don't understand why don't you say it's oxygenating the water. All you need to do it break the surface of the water. To oxygenate the water by breaking the osmotic pressure on the top of the water

[IvanSanchez]

Are you using the filter from the pictures posted on your other post? I personally hate that type of filter. It never circulated the water and kept my 5 gallon water surface oily.
I fixed that with a HOB Aqueon http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...6&pcatid=19616
This one seems legit. Spray bart too! http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...1&pcatid=22501
or http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...7&pcatid=22037

[jhenry]

The Aqueon HOB aren't to bad. The only problem I've ever seen is that they have a casting plug on top on the impeller that sometimes makes them stop working till. I had a customer with that same problem. I fixed it by sanding it down with some sandpaper and it works great. IMO stay away from internal filters cause your tank is small and they'll take to much valuably room in your tank.

[Camarowithbass]

Will this filter :

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3608+19616&pcatid=19616

work with my pico? The only thing it has to hand onto is 1/4" thick glass. I dont want it flopping around and what not.

Thanks

[IvanSanchez]

Yes it will. But now that i'm thinking about it an AquaClear 20 has controllable flow rates and would be a better match for your tank!

[40GallonsOfDoom]

The Red Sea website is under some sort of make-over, but this is the filter I use and its working great. I picked it up from Houston Aquarium Warehouse for $10.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Red-Sea-Nano-Filter-clear_p_4378.html

[Camarowithbass]

ended up getting an Aqueon 10 filter. Seems to be a lot better filter than that old cheesy one it came with.

However I now notice there is a lot of circulation going around in this 3 gallon. WIill this be ok for a dwarf puffer?

[IvanSanchez]

Stuff the intake with a sponge from the inside and make sure it can't be sucked into the impeller.
Or you can ditch the blue trickle chamber plastic thing on the output ramp and place a sponge there. An Aquaclear sponge will suffice.
Or stuff the filter with loads of media :)
It also helps to have the water level above the ramp.

There's many things you can do to lower the flow rate on HOB's.

[Camarowithbass]

this filter is a major improvement over the previous one. The old filter would not move any water that film would form on top of the water. With this filter no film forms and the water is crystal clear. Im gonna let it run 2 weeks then get a pea puffer, cant wait.

I have one feeder gold fish in there to help is cycle. With all the water this filter moves it does evaporate a lot of water, it is ok IF I add more water while it cycles?

[IvanSanchez]

You should consider getting some glass cut to have a top for the tank! That would help with evaporation and keeping your fish inside the water :)

Yes it should be fine to add water in. Just make sure it's dechlorinated! You could speed up the process and buy bacterial additives like API StressZyme. I always add that to my new tanks but it's not needed.

I'd make about a 1/2 - 1 gallon water change every week though just to keep you on a regular routine early.

[Camarowithbass]

I was thinking about adding some "gunk" from the Eheim on my other tank but boy do i feel lazy.
Would it significantly speed up the process?

I was thinking about getting some plexi from home sleepo since I saw it there the other day.

[IvanSanchez]

The gunk would actually be a lot better! I'd do that if i were you.

And plexi glass for a 3 gallon should be good. Just make sure it's think so it wont warp or sink in the middle.