Trying a 10 gallon low tech

[chopper]

Hi

came across this forum today and thought I would put up my current tank in progress, I am on a forum also in Aus but guess can't hurt to be on a few.

I have been keeping fish for about 18 months but am only just trying live plants, currently have 3 tanks 34L, 40L and 95L


This weekend I got around to setting up my 40L tank, benefit of this size is I can tear it down and start again if it turns bad without any major drama.

I would have loved to get better substrate eco complete or even better the full ADA set up but essentially I am putting this together with what I have available as funds are limited. I have gravel, spare little filter and some pieces of driftwood. Got the pebbles from hardware store, natural river stones it said and I did test with vinegar and only heard one fizzing which I did not use, so I will see how these go, only cost me $2.15

Tank will have
200LPH internal but this will eventually be upgraded
1.5WPG of lighting 6700K tube 15W tube over 10gallon tank
currently experimenting with DIY CO2 and it seems pretty easy so I will look to set one up on here

Apologies for the picture quality









looking at this pic, top left on the pebbles I am thinking java fern. Next bunch of pebbles I am thinking of putting some anubia I have about 3 or 4 small ones that I could tie on to the rocks
stem plants along the back of the tank. rotala wallichi back right corner not sure what in the middle, got some wisteria growing like crazy so I could use this but I am mindful that if I am not careful every tank I have will just use the same plants so I want to try something different. I may float some wisteria in this tank to soak up nitrates though.

I also thought about moving the pebbles to in front of the DW as that would give me a much larger space at the back for taller plants and then anubia in front in the bottom right corner.

Any suggestions
Cheers

[James From Cali]

Move the pebbles to the front and bury them some into the gravel. I would suggest setting up some DIY CO2 and getting Hygrophila or Rotala for the back with a nice java fern for the branchy piece of wood. Use anubias on the one that is lower to the substrate. Check out the list at the top of the Low Tech Forum(Low Light Plant List) for some options on plants.

[lauraleellbp]

Welcome to TPT!

I agree, I think the pebbles in front would look better; can't really see them behind the driftwood?

[chopper]

OK did a little change

moved half the rocks to the front of the driftwood, the ones behind I will also move when I get some plants to plant there.

Tied on the small anubia I had free to some of the rocks.

Added some java moss to the 3 branch type driftwood pieces so hopefully this grows in nicely.

Got the filter running, this had been cycling in another tank for a few weeks and was running in this tank for a couple of weeks with the fish load I wanted to use in this tank.

Tanks quite heavily stocked but has been running a few weeks with no ammonia or nitrite problems.
5 Glowlight tetra
3 zebra danio
3 male guppy
2 khuli loach

looking at root tabs - not sure yet if they are needed as java fern won't need them and the stem plants at the back may not either.

buy the plants I want to put in - still not got a list of what I want yet

need to take the light from my other tank to go on this one but I still need to buy a replacement for that tank first before I take the light.

[Karackle]

welcome to TPT!

Your tank is looking good, that's a stunning male guppy you snapped a photo of! I like how you rearranged the stones, i think it adds nice depth and a nice quality to the tank. Can't wait to see how it grows in!

[crudnugget]

That tank looks cool, is it just a standard 10 gallon with the top bracing removed? Or is it a special rimless tank? No brace on the bottom either I see... looks great!

[James From Cali]

Fill the tank up with some more water looks good.

[chopper]

Originally Posted by crudnugget

That tank looks cool, is it just a standard 10 gallon with the top bracing removed? Or is it a special rimless tank? No brace on the bottom either I see... looks great!

Hi, just a normal 10 gallon 50cm x 25cm x 28cm. This is how the tank came from the shop, liked it because it was rimless. no mods made