Jeff's first planted tank and nano - with pics.

[jeff721]

Here is an update on the tank. 11/7/11



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Hello everyone, this is also my first post. Although, I have been reading a lot and admiring everyone's beautiful setups.

I've wanted to set up both a nano tank and a planted tank for a while, but never really had the patience and was overwhelmed by the information - CO2, fertilizers, lights, etc.

When I first planned on a nano tank I wanted to make a cube, but I was recently offered a tiny plastic hexagon tank from a friend at my office, so of course I took it.

From this set I kept, the light/fixture/"hood" and the tank itself. I tossed the air-powered UGF as I've never been a fan and never seen one work well before.

Here is the nano so far:





On a limited budget I went to the LFS, which is a pretty good one, and got:

- a Red Sea Nano filter
- 2 lbs of Activ-Betta, Bio Activ Live Gravel
- from home I grabbed a fair sized rock that used to be a random stand-in in reptile/amphibian tanks

More info to follow.

Jeff

[jeff721]

When setting the tank up, I used the water that was in the bag with the Bio Activ stuff as well as dechlorinated tap water and a squeeze off the filter of an established (non-planted) tank in my office building. Hope this was a good approach.

My plans for the tank are to make it green and active.

I would like to get some moss to start, maybe java moss it's the only moss available at my LFS, but open to suggestions. I like the low growing plants, but I know for aesthetic reasons I'll need some tall ones as well.

The light that I have now is a coil flourescent that is supposedly 10 watts, making my watts per gallon 5, which from what I understand is pretty high. I am really considering running a DIY yeast CO2 setup, but want opinions on this in a nano first.

For fauna, I was thinking RCS, and maybe neons. Being only 2 gallons I want to keep my bioload appropriate. Also open to suggestions here.

[Cottagewitch]

For more info on the lighting I would suggest this thread:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...r-bulbs-2.html

As for CO2, DIY would work very well on your tank.


Your tank has a LOT of potential I think. I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve over time.

[PinoyBoy]

I'd do a shrimp only tank; too small for any fish IMO, not enough horizontal swimming room. For cheap plants, I'd check out the S&S.

[jeff721]

Thanks guys.

Jenna, thanks for the link! I'll read through your thread, but any info on CO2 amounts in a nano?

Ged, I was thinking it might need to be just shrimp, I look forward to it though, I was not introduced to freshwater inverts until a couple years ago.

[tuffgong]

Jeff,

It was great meeting you today! It's funny b/c I was reading your thread last night with no idea that we would randomly meet in the LFS today. I definitely have some moss and some other clippings for you to get started with. I would have tossed the UGF too. DIY CO2 would work well, but Excel will do if you don't feel like the DIY mess in the office.

[cableguy69846]

I agree on the Excel. A DIY yeast setup, while inexpensive, might be too much for that little tank. I love the shape of that one. It definitely has a lot of potential. Good choice on the UGF too. I hate those things, and think they would not perform well in a planted tank. As far as plants go, I am a big fan of mosses, Java Fern, and pretty much any crypto. You may want to look in that direction. And as far as shrimp only. It is a good way to go. I have some zebra dannios in my 2.5, and I am only keeping them in there until I get my hands on some shrimp, then they are off to the 20 gal. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your tank come into its own.

[jeff721]

Did some testing today.

There is ammonia present, not at a toxic level, but still there.
pH is high, around 8. Doesn't seem to be the rock, I tested the pH out of the tap and it's at the same level.

Can't wait to get some plants in here. Tuffgong, I'll be calling you soon, probably tomorrow or Friday to try and get some plants from you.

I'll post specifics in a while.

[jeff721]

[jeff721]

Day 2 of "real" cycling.

[tuffgong]

Jeff,

If you want some seeded filter media to speed up your cycle I've got plenty!

[jeff721]

Big update:
About a week ago, I decided to switch out the rock that I originally had for a more stable and cleaner one.

It seems that the tank is cycling o.k.. I've been adding a "starter culture" recommended by a LFS, who knows if it's helping. I've also been doing daily water changes, started at 40 % on the first day and am now down to 20%.

There is a safe level of ammonia >.02 ppm. Although my nitrites and nitrates are still high according to my test kit. I think adding the plants really helped with the ammonia level. Any suggestions?



This weekend I ended up at a big-box pet store and found a decent selection of plants, although unknowledgeable staff. I picked up a water wisteria and a micro sword plant, not sure how they'll do here, I only have high hopes for the wisteria after checking out the plant profiles though. I've been adding Excel at 1mL per day.

Here are a couple updated pictures:





Any suggestions, feedback, input is appreciated.

[!shadow!]

What if you added two more rocks of the same kind in the front except just a bit smaller? As far as the micro swords goes it looks good. Maybe cutting some of it or splitting it to put smaller pieces in the front of the tank but just don't cover the rock so it shows.

[chicken]

Nice little tank.

I do diy co2 on my 2.5 gallon with no problem. I use a small soda bottle (about 500ml) with 1/2 c. sugar and 1/8 t yeast, filled with warm water up to the point where the bottle curves. I feed the tubing in through my filter intake. I'm also using Excel.

As far as lighting goes, the watts per gallon guideline doesn't really work for small tanks. For instance, I have 26 watts over my 2.5 gallon, and if we were just judging by watts per gallon that would sound like an insane amount of light! Definitely read up on lighting. It might help to read threads from people who have tanks similar to yours, and see what is working for them.

By the way, I see you are in Maryland. You might like to come to the GWAPA meeting on the 26th. People in the club are a wealth of information, and our mini-auctions have lots of great plants at great prices!

[Zareth]

very nice, I was going to mention the rock in your first post looks like it has quartz veins in it and probably other veins as well which affect water chemistry.
This new rock looks much better, I like what you've done with such a small space