Micro Zen Garden

[MABJ]

Hello. I've been contemplating this tank in my head for a while.. Just a really peaceful low light, low tech setup.

I picked this tank up during a sale on wag.com, and I got it for a good price.

.5g Acrylic Marina tank.

I like this little cube for a lot of reasons, including its background, (after removing the ugly pictures) its size and its half top. Not only that, but it has a very unique shape, allowing you to hang it on the wall or just leave it around.

Regardless of all those possibilities, I'm just planning on setting it up slow and nice. As with many of my other tanks, I like mosses and will probably utilize them alone, unless someone can think up something better.

Obviously with something this small, you're limited on how you can scape it.. But I will be trying to find something dynamic and beautiful.

The most important part of this tank.. Is it is a gift for my girlfriend of two years who is graduating college this semester, and will be spending chunks of time without seeing me. So it must be good.

I look forward to your suggestions and help



I just started brainstorming and that is what came to me.

I still need a method of light and a way to cut the plastic top that won't destroy the 3 sides I want to keep.

[ophiophagus]

Not bad I wish those didn't have the stupid "gravel cup" thing in the middle. Then you could use much less substrate.

[MABJ]

True enough. Thanks for clocking in. I'm an oddball who loves lots of substrate. I couldn't tell you why if you begged me, but I love using overly large amounts in my works.

I would consider moving some stuff, but definitely I need people to chime in on aquascape.

Oh.. I probably should add I use the Elite Mini filter. I got it today, and I'm just a wrong amount of happy about how it looks it is tiny and I think it even blends into the scape.

I'll also add I'm stocking this with 1-6 shrimp blue velvet shrimp. That is her favorite neo shrimp.

[ophiophagus]

As far as your hardscape goes. All I can say is don't be afraid to try moving everything around or adding or removing elements. Just screw around with it until you like the way it looks. Check out the scape in my signature. I must have moved the stones and branches a hundred times before I planted it

[Soup12]

Originally Posted by ophiophagus

As far as your hardscape goes. All I can say is don't be afraid to try moving everything around or adding or removing elements. Just screw around with it until you like the way it looks. Check out the scape in my signature. I must have moved the stones and branches a hundred times before I planted it

a hundred times.... I maybe change it around like 5 times max and roll with it.

[stanzzzz]

I like the cube, if I were you I would probably put those rocks on far left corner, with driftwood coming out between the rocks pointing towards the center or corner, then try some Xmas moss pin your rocks n some willow moss on your driftwood, you can then add one or 2 pebbles covered with some kind of moss creating a green moss path going towards the main rock n leave the rest as substrate..lol just my 2 cents.

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[bruinhd]

This reminds me of the palm trees at the end of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Wrld.


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[LyzzaRyzz]

Nice gift for your girlfriend! =]
For your scape, do you have more wood?
If it were my tank, id pile the rocks in one corner, back left of right, and put the driftwood comeing out to the mound, and across the tank to the naked side. Since you want to use moss, a moss that will hang down would look nice coming off the driftwood.

[bluestems]

I love this little cube! Are these the ones that include a picture type background?

Actually like the scape that you have now. Could you put some moss coming up from in between the stones... and since you've got me thinking of floaters, how about some small, red-rooted floaters all across the top?

[MABJ]

Thanks for all the responses! She will be happy when she reads this.

I'll try to address everything.

A general thing is.. This cube might even be smaller than you guys think :P.

Another general thing, the two mountain like things are chunks of wood, not rock!

Stan. I like your thought.

I'll try rearranging some stuff. I have some more pebbles. I'll put some mini pellia on them.

This tank will have mini Xmas, mini pellia and fissidens.

I don't think I will have room to drape anything down, but floaters? Sign me up! I'd like to try some red root floaters.

There's no water in the tank yet, but I will say it has to be mobile, as it may be moving once or twice a year.

And by mobile, I mean a little movement won't hurt the scape. That's why I tried to do a secure scape.

[stanzzzz]

Originally Posted by MABJ

Thanks for all the responses! She will be happy when she reads this.

I'll try to address everything.

A general thing is.. This cube might even be smaller than you guys think :P.

Another general thing, the two mountain like things are chunks of wood, not rock!

Stan. I like your thought.

I'll try rearranging some stuff. I have some more pebbles. I'll put some mini pellia on them.

This tank will have mini Xmas, mini pellia and fissidens.

I don't think I will have room to drape anything down, but floaters? Sign me up! I'd like to try some red root floaters.

There's no water in the tank yet, but I will say it has to be mobile, as it may be moving once or twice a year.

And by mobile, I mean a little movement won't hurt the scape. That's why I tried to do a secure scape.

Good to knw you like my thoghts MABJ. i would probbaly remove those 2 rocks next to your woods. just couple of pebbles with mini pelia as you said and x mas moss on your driftwood of wood, and will fissiden on your chunk of moss. I am pretty sure with the variety of plants you have chosen this cube can be mobile for sure..

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by MABJ

I don't think I will have room to drape anything down, but floaters? Sign me up! I'd like to try some red root floaters.

Just recently purged a bit, but can send you some next time if you're interested. I'm about to post pics of them in bloom

Also, their roots hang about 1/4-1/2" at most and don't shed... so they're not messy.

[MABJ]

Well I'd really appreciate that. I'd be happy to send a little something back in return! PM me about it.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by MABJ

Well I'd really appreciate that. I'd be happy to send a little something back in return! PM me about it.

Sounds good! I'll pm you

[bluestems]

Well, I replied to your pm, but I'm not sure you got it...? I can mail out these tomorrow if you can send me the address.