Digsy's 10" rimless shrimp cube

[Digsy]

I made an impulse cube purchase while at the LFS a few weeks ago. I feel somewhat crazy as I can't imagine maintaining yet another tank but the object of this tank is to make it as low maintenance as possible so, low tech, no CO2. I don't have a solid plan for this scape yet but do plan on putting in some shrimp, likely tiger but I'm not entirely decided on that either.


Specs:

Tank: 25.4cm x 25.4cm x 25.4cm

Lighting: 13w Ott-Lite

Filtration: Eheim 2211 with ADA glass pipes

Substrate: Horticultural sand

Hardscape: Yamaya stone

Flora:

Peacock moss, java fern 'trident' and Anubias nana 'petite'

Fauna:

Shrimp, possibly Tiger

Here is my inspiration from Oliver Knott's website:

[Digsy]

My tank has had a slight change of location and is now on a desk in a spare bedroom. This cube cost me $30 and while the silicone isn't pretty and the glass isn't as clear as ADA, I can't argue with the price.








Leak test:

[Digsy]

Here are some scape attempts. I'd love opinions and criticisms from those of you who seem to be masters of the rock scape because I seem to lack the ability to create great hardscapes.

#1 - Kind of boring







#2 - This is probably what I will stick with, unless anyone has any great ideas?



From above:

[vtkid]

I am actually very into that scape. a whole moss scape would be very cool and low maintanence .

[RipariumGuy]

Great deal on that cube Digsy! I like the aquascape so far, maybe a piece of manzanita (if you have it) to add some height in the far left corner? Just an idea.
Regards,
Jake

[davinci27]

Where'd you get the 10" cube? I've been looking for something like that for my desk at work.

[dizzle 21]

i like the light you got there. where you find it?

[connordude27]

Is this from jimmy? I was waiting to see more pics of these tanks.

I think the scape looks great. Are you planning on carpeting the tank with anything like glosso?

[Digsy]

Originally Posted by vtkid

I am actually very into that scape. a whole moss scape would be very cool and low maintanence .

Thanks vtkid, it's been awhile since I've seen you around here, how are your tanks looking? Low maintenance is definitely the object here. My other two tanks are more than enough work but I got to have a shrimp tank!

Originally Posted by JakeJ

Great deal on that cube Digsy! I like the aquascape so far, maybe a piece of manzanita (if you have it) to add some height in the far left corner? Just an idea.
Regards,
Jake

Thanks JakeJ, I agree that something may be needed on the left. I'm not sure I want to do manzanita...I was thinking of dwarf hairgrass back there but I'm still not sure. Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

[Digsy]

Originally Posted by davinci27

Where'd you get the 10" cube? I've been looking for something like that for my desk at work.

I got it from my LFS and I think he said he picks these up in Hong Kong during his twice yearly visits. Like I said, you can't beat the price!

Originally Posted by dizzle 21

i like the light you got there. where you find it?

It sells online for around $35 but they had it in stock at OD and $24 is the regular price so, it pays to shop around. I think the model is the Learning Light.

Originally Posted by connordude27

Is this from jimmy? I was waiting to see more pics of these tanks.

I think the scape looks great. Are you planning on carpeting the tank with anything like glosso?

Yes, got it at Jimmy's shop. He has great prices, that's for sure! Thanks for the opinion on the scape. I don't think I'm going to do anything for a carpet other than moss on stainless steel mesh. I won't have much light or CO2 to get a good spread on a carpeting plant.

[connordude27]

Originally Posted by Digsy

I got it from my LFS and I think he said he picks these up in Hong Kong during his twice yearly visits. Like I said, you can't beat the price!

When i was talking to him i think he said he was going to get these often and not just when he is in Hong Kong. Either way i can't wait to go in the store after i get back and blow my summer job money

Can't wait to see what this tank will turn out to be

How many gallons is it and what kind of shrimp are you wanting?

[Digsy]

I think I figured out that it's about 4.4 gallons. As far as shrimp, I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I was thinking plain tigers, as I've already had orange-eyed blues in the past and like the look of the regular tigers but CRS kind of intrigue me too.

As far as Aquariums Plus, I'm learning that there is no point in going there saying that I am just looking because I WILL leave with something, no matter what. I may as well just hand over my cash when I walk in the door.

[connordude27]

CRS would look great in a moss scape. Do you have an idea of what grade you want?

I was going to get a whole load of CRS but i can't even keep cherries alive (and yet i can keep some maylaya shrimp alive or that is until the apple snail died lol i was so stupid jimmy even warned me to take them out) I think me keeping shrimp alive has to do with the quality of the stock.

After going to the shop once i was hooked and thats really the only shop i buy things. The first time i went i tried just looking i ended up buying the maylaya shrimp.

[Digsy]

I'm actually leaning toward Tigers, mostly because you just don't see them around as much now that everyone's on the CRS bandwagon.

[Digsy]

I finally got around to getting a little more of this set up. I got my Eheim 2211 (courtesy of rrrrramos) hooked up and peacock moss waiting to be attached to my SS mesh. I haven't added water yet but hopefully I can do that this weekend and get the moss going.

One quick picture of my set up before I add moss and water: