my 3g COWLR pico tank

I've started a pico tank for corals only with live rock and I need opinions on my set-up. Here's what I've got in there:

1. HOB filter 400L/h
2. about 4.5 lbs LR (from my 2 1/2 month old tank)
3. about 3 lbs LS (from same tank as above)
4. 3x8watts T5 10,000K 1 actinic, 2 daylight
5. a small fan
6. thermometer/hydrometer

Tank size:
13 inch long
7 inch wide
8 inch high

Several questions fill my mind at the moment...

1. Since there will be no fish, is LR really necessary for ammonia/nitrite reduction?
2. Is a skimmer vital?
3. Since i don't have a fuge for this, should I place macro algae directly in the tank?
4. Do you think my HOB filter will be enough for flow?
5. My lighting sits on a stand 3 inches from the top of the tank. Will it be sufficient for soft corals or maybe hard corals as well?
6. How often should I do water tests and which ones are to be done more often?

I'll post some photos tonight when I get home from work. thanks for all your input, I'd really appreciate them. thanks in advance!

Jesse

 

Good luck.....and get the photos up!!!!! I wanna see. I have seen some 3g picos for about $70 at the LFS and have been tempted. Just what I need. Another tank.......

 

thanks a lot john! that really helps! here are a few photos. its not much, still pretty empty. but im really excited to get some corals next month.

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I like the custom drop cloth blocking the light. Nice. Whats up with that light? Give us a small review. 2 power cables or just one? 2 switches? Fans probably aren't needed. How does the color look? Unit looks about 15"s long correct? what brand?

 

thanks. i really hate the bright light hitting my eyes when i gaze at my tank. my lighting isn't much...3x8 watt HY-450T5B 10,000K T5(1 actinic, 2 daylight). got it from my LFS, made in China or Japan I think. one power cable, 2 switches
(one for actinic, the other for the 2 daylight). it has a silver color, and it's 18 inches long. brand is HaiYang.
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18"s huh? Current makes an 18" 2x18w T5 fixture with single light reflectors for $50. Its only 2 bulbs and one switch but it works nice I plan to get another and run actinics in one and 10ks in the other. both will be sitting on top of a 10gallon. I've never seen an 8watt t5 fixture! Very unique.
K+

 

the whole system is 18 inches long, the lamps are definitely shorter, like 12 inches from pin to pin. they're just regular t5, wish i could find T5HO's here, : this one cost me 1,000 baht, about 24 US dollars.