new 20 gallon- extremely low maintenance

[hamsterman]

I just set up my 20 last night. Due to the nature of my current financial situation this aquarium will have no filter (although I may attach one from time to time to clean debris) and no lighting. It's near a window and so it receives sunlight about 2-4 hours every day.
substrate: white sand from home depot (around 6 bucks for a 50lb bag)
rocks:seiryu stones
flora: java fern trident, needle/narrow leaf java fern, fissidens fontanus, anubias petite, bolbitis
fauna: none at the moment

I plan to cover more of the foreground with fissidens fontanus, but first need to find something suitable to tie it onto.

[Lil' Swimz$]

Why are you wasting such great stones on a such a low-tech tank!

Looks good though.

[hamsterman]

I'm a big fan of low tech tanks not only because of their easy maintenance and affordability, but also because I find the appearance of low light plants very appealing. I wouldn't say I'm wasting the stones...their sole purpose is to be used in an aquarium and low tech or high tech, they are fulfilling that purpose. The layout and stone placement to be more important than whether or not the aquarium is low/high tech. For example, I would view the same rocks in a high tech tank as a waste if they were placed haphazardly and without any consideration. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[echoofformless]

Originally Posted by Lil' Swimz$

Why are you wasting such great stones on a such a low-tech tank!

Looks good though.

What does the tech level of the tank have to do with the choices in hard scaping? And since when are low tech tanks any less beautiful than high tech tanks? If anything, they are often even more artistic and inspiring. Sometimes when I see high tech tanks I'm impressed by the scope of the piece and the work involved in its creation and maintenance, but I don't find them to be very inspiring. There are many healthy flourishing plants but that is about it. The subtlety and beauty of a very simple, low tech setup often says much more to me artistically speaking. Just my opinion. It's sort of the difference between an elaborate formal garden and a small, well placed little haven for just a single tree and some beautiful stones. I'm much more inclined to sit in that sort of garden and allow my mind to wander. The clutter gets in the way of meditation. Less is so often more, as the saying goes. Especially with rocks that beautiful, as they need a way in which to speak out for themselves when so artfully arranged.

That tank would be beautiful even just as it is without plants at all. The arrangement of the chosen rock is so perfect. A very Japanese minimalist approach inspired by nature. I can't wait to see what else gets done with it.

[hamsterman]

Thanks for the compliment echoofformless!

No significant changes for now, but I'm looking to incorporate more fissidens and some weeping moss. Unfortunately the weeping moss I purchased earlier this year is still infested with some hair algae :[