Seastar's 20L Shrimp Tank

[Seastar]

Hey all, I've started my first tank, and am pretty excited!

Equipment:
Standard 20L tank ($1 per gallon sale, yay!)
Versa-Top
Hydor Theo Heater 100W Submersible
3x 8.5 inch clamp lights
4x Double sponge air-powered filters
Fusion Quiet Power model 500 air pump
5x 4.4lb bags Fluval Shrimp Stratum

Flora:
Nothing yet, but I have plants shipping in this week.

Fauna:
Nothing yet. I hope to get some RCS and Amano Shrimp.

I am still playing around with ideas for the hardscape. I already had some driftwood pieces laying around, and went to my lfs and picked up a few cool rocks. This is what it looks like at the moment..







Thoughts?

[shrimpnmoss]

nice...I've always liked arching wood...i think it would look better without the second Y shaped piece....if you're going RCS, you might as well start with Fire Reds because you'll get the lower grade RCS cherries from them anyways....

[GreenBliss]

I agree with shrimpnmoss that taking out the second piece of driftwood would look better. Besides that, I love the set up. I can't wait to see how it progresses

[GMYukonon24s]

I agree with the others above me about the y shape wood. Also what if you have the arch wood on an angle. Let's say leave the arch on the left side where its at and move the right side of the arch back alittle.

[Nambroth]

Can't wait to see how this goes!

[Seastar]

Thanks for the suggestions! I ended up flipping that y shaped piece and breaking off a branch. I like it a lot better now. I am also testing my rocks to make sure they won't harm anything.

Some of the plants came in today, and I got them planted. So many plants! I covered the whole front part of my tank in Brazilian Micro Sword, and also tied some Peacock Moss to the driftwood. I am very happy with how it looks and can't wait for it to fill in!



Filling up..forgot to tie down that driftwood..


My first inhabitant!


My other plants should be coming in soon as well!

[TonyK]

The tank looks great!

I will be following this thread becuase I will be setting a 20L with the same lighting. How many watts are the bulbs your running?

[Seastar]

Originally Posted by TonyK

The tank looks great!

I will be following this thread becuase I will be setting a 20L with the same lighting. How many watts are the bulbs your running?

Thanks! I am using 13 watt bulbs.

[Nambroth]

Hah! I knew you'd get some hitchhikers! I'm amazed that there was that much moss mixed in the swords. It's a really pretty moss, I know you'll like it.

[mittttal]

nice tank man! i also started a 20L at the beginning of this year. How come you're going for the 4 sponge filters? Shrimp safety or personal preference?

[Seastar]

Originally Posted by Nambroth

Hah! I knew you'd get some hitchhikers! I'm amazed that there was that much moss mixed in the swords. It's a really pretty moss, I know you'll like it.

Thank you! Your moss looks more healthy than my other moss, haha. Also, any tips on trimming the swords? They are growing!

Originally Posted by mittttal

nice tank man! i also started a 20L at the beginning of this year. How come you're going for the 4 sponge filters? Shrimp safety or personal preference?

Thanks! the reason I have so many filters is because I like the way they look and I've heard that the shrimp love them.

[Seastar]

Quick update! Currently working on a fishless cycle. It's kind of a mess since the christmas moss didn't live. I need to find different rocks and then some of the fissidens moss blob is going to go on the rocks. Other than that, it is all planted. Hope it cycles soon!

[waterwookiee]

Coming along nicely! I've been looking at a 20L as my next low tech saltwater "plant" tank.

[Nambroth]

Originally Posted by Seastar

Thank you! Your moss looks more healthy than my other moss, haha. Also, any tips on trimming the swords? They are growing!

In my experience, I like to let them get rooted really well, and turn all their leaves upright (they kinda go every which way after planting initially I found), then as necessary I will trim them. I like to half drain my tank and turn the filters off, trim, then net the leaves off of the top as they float up. I hope this helps! Do whatever you find works best for you.