It seems like the thing to do when starting a new tank is to start a journal.
Since I actually have a vision for how I want this one to look, and what I want it to be, I thought I'd give this a shot. Previous tanks have mostly been hodgepodge affairs. There's a method to the madness this time.
The vision is to create something that isn't too busy, and mostly use texture, rather than color to create interest. My main tank has a ton of colorful plants. Here, I'm trying to stick with only green. Let's see how long that lasts.
I also want this to be a lower maintenance tank. So, no CO2.
So, the vision is to use a manzanita hardscape. Currently, I'm not planning any rocks. I'll probably also introduce some small pieces of malaysian driftwood as plant/moss anchors where needed.
For flora, I will use mostly moss attached to the wood, likely adding in some anubias, and various green stems. Especially to start. We'll see what stays long term. I'm also going to try an HC carpet. I've never had carpeting plants before, so we'll see how it goes, and if I actually like it.
The idea is to use multiple different types of moss and have the different textures create the interest. We'll see how that works out.
For fauna, I want to also keep the colors simple. Snowball shrimp inspired the tank, so they obviously get in. I'm also thinking of perhaps some wild-type tiger shrimp (more subtle coloration than CRS or Blue tigers). For fish, a similar palette, and they obviously have to be shrimp compatible. At this point, I'm thinking silver hatchets. And perhaps some of the more simple colored tetras. Bleeding heart maybe? Suggestions in this area are definitely welcome, but I'm somewhat limited by local supply. I'm not willing to have fish shipped in, since I'll already be having shrimp shipped in.
That covers the concept. Next, the equipment list.
Since I actually have a vision for how I want this one to look, and what I want it to be, I thought I'd give this a shot. Previous tanks have mostly been hodgepodge affairs. There's a method to the madness this time.
The vision is to create something that isn't too busy, and mostly use texture, rather than color to create interest. My main tank has a ton of colorful plants. Here, I'm trying to stick with only green. Let's see how long that lasts.
I also want this to be a lower maintenance tank. So, no CO2.
So, the vision is to use a manzanita hardscape. Currently, I'm not planning any rocks. I'll probably also introduce some small pieces of malaysian driftwood as plant/moss anchors where needed.
For flora, I will use mostly moss attached to the wood, likely adding in some anubias, and various green stems. Especially to start. We'll see what stays long term. I'm also going to try an HC carpet. I've never had carpeting plants before, so we'll see how it goes, and if I actually like it.
The idea is to use multiple different types of moss and have the different textures create the interest. We'll see how that works out.
For fauna, I want to also keep the colors simple. Snowball shrimp inspired the tank, so they obviously get in. I'm also thinking of perhaps some wild-type tiger shrimp (more subtle coloration than CRS or Blue tigers). For fish, a similar palette, and they obviously have to be shrimp compatible. At this point, I'm thinking silver hatchets. And perhaps some of the more simple colored tetras. Bleeding heart maybe? Suggestions in this area are definitely welcome, but I'm somewhat limited by local supply. I'm not willing to have fish shipped in, since I'll already be having shrimp shipped in.
That covers the concept. Next, the equipment list.