Back to reefing after 15 yrs. Interested in thoughts about Eshopps pico desk mate AION

DavidA · 2025-02-20T13:14:58-0500

Hello all. I plan to return to reefing and eventually to seahorses after a 15 year hiatus. My experience includes breeding seahorses and pipefish in a 30g tall, LPS and softies 30-55 DIY tanks and a small jellyfish tank. I am thinking about starting with an Eshopps 3.8g Deskmate with no protein skimmer but a converted fluval c2 HOB as Refugium with chaeto.
Any experience or thoughts about Eshopps deskmate or fluval c2 (with hygger submersible LED) as chaeto Refugio?

revhtree · 2025-02-20T13:14:58-0500

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family!

fishface NJ · 2025-02-20T13:39:37-0500

Welcome to R2R

Crabs McJones · 2025-02-20T13:40:10-0500

Welcome to R2R! No experience but can't wait to see it

B&CinB.C. · 2025-02-20T13:40:49-0500

Hello David . Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

shakacuz · 2025-02-20T13:41:05-0500

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

Just John · 2025-02-20T13:58:10-0500

seahorses and pipefish - you really know how to do the hard stuff! Very cool. I can't help with the tank, but I'm glad you're back.

vetteguy53081 · 2025-02-20T14:15:44-0500

Tahoe61 · 2025-02-20T14:43:51-0500

Welcome to R2R.

If you do a search for Pico in the Build category of the forum you should be able find some threads. I am running a 6 gallon Pico, just put corals in it.
Eshopps looks like nice Pico, it was the equipment limitations that stopped me. Tons of Pico lighting options though.