Low tech shrimp cube, now with more Buddha

[Nubster]

First cube, first rimless, super excited. I'm down sizing my tank collection to just this one, maybe another larger rimless, and a smaller rimless for work. This is the first one I'll be building.

What it is:

12"x12"x12" 7.5g Mr. Aqua tank

Equipment:

• AquaClear 30 HOB filter with sponge and purigen
• Finnex FugeRay-R Ultra Slim LED Fixture +RED boost

Plants:

• Fissidens fontanus
• Java moss
• Others yet to be decided

Critters:

• Super Tigers
• Some sort of neo, possibly Blueberry if I can find some

Scape:

• Buddha
• Small rocks locally collected
• Eco-complete

That's where I'm at right now. I have the tank, light, filter, and Buddha. I have a source for rocks, I'm getting ready to test now to see how the rocks I've found affect water parameters. I have an RO filter and my tap water isn't bad, so I need to decide which I want to use.

With the tiger shrimp, I'd really like to get my tank water closer to pH 7. Out of the tap mine is 7.6 and out of my RO it's 6.4. If I can split the difference I'd be happy.

So, right now I'm looking for thoughts on substrate. I was thinking Eco-Complete or if I can find it, crushed lava rock. That is unless I find that I need a buffering substrate. Then probably I'll go with Amazonia, but I'm afraid that will buffer the pH too low. I don't trust FSS, so I don't think I want to go that route. UP Shrimp sand I also thing buffers too low. Other options?

Let me know what you think...I can use all the help I can get.

Lights on, not too bright which is good in my case...


Red lights only...


Edges and silicon seem pretty nice...

[Gavins]

HAHA!! That's freakin awesome! Can't wait to see this one!!! Where did you get the big guy?

[Nubster]

I can't remember. I've had it for years. If I remember correctly, I think I ordered it from fleabay.

[GMYukonon24s]

Sweet hardscape!

[Nubster]

Thanks. I wasn't sure about it but I think I'll give it a try and see what happens. I have some fissidens on the way and I'm thinking about getting some hydrocotyle tripartia and Lilaeopsis sp. I'll probably leave it at that...maybe some crypts I have on hand for the corners...I'll see how it all plays out.

I did order a bag of Eco-Complete, so hoping I'll have substrate by end of the week and I can get this thing started by the weekend.

[Nubster]

Just ordered some Shrimp Mineral GH/KH+...I'm hoping that using RO water, letting it age then add the SaltyShrimp, I'll get a pH in the high 6's to 7 range. If so, that will be perfect.

[Nubster]

Why did my thread get moved from Planted Nanos to this section? Since when is a 7.5g tank not a nano?

[hisxlency]

look forward to seeing the scape once its setup

[Clemsons2k]

Originally Posted by Nubster

Why did my thread get moved from Planted Nanos to this section? Since when is a 7.5g tank not a nano?

I guess since technically its a tank journal, even if its a mini journal haha

[sarazorz]

Oh man this is gonna be good! I love the idea, very cool.

[water-kitties]

I can't wait to see what you do with this! I just ordered a 14.17" x 8.66" x 10.24" 5.4g with the exact same light and an aquaclear. I got Aqua Up shrimp sand, hoping it turns out okay since I was hoping to move some cherries from my other tank with a 7.6 PH. Maybe I should have gone inert (?) but I liked the look of the little balls and thought a bit softer would be better. I'm a bit of a green leaf still with anything fancy.

[A.D.D.i.c.t.]

My thread got moved too Nubs. I said whaaaa?!? I'll live though. Your tank looks great, can't wait to see it come to life

the addiction continues...

[Nubster]

Eco-Complete arrived today. Switched the motor from my AC30 to the body of my AC50 (which had a dying motor) and it worked fine. So I may use that for the larger volume. I think I'm also going to try planing my filter with some moss or fissidens.

I'll also be stocking the tank with some awesome looking Blue Diamond neos along with some super tigers. I should have shrimp in the tank in a couple weeks once the neos arrive and I get the tigers ordered. Can't wait!

This is speedie408's photo...just showing what the neos look like...

[Nubster]

water-kitties - your cherries should be ok as long as the pH isn't too too low. I tried my PFR's at pH 6.4 and they lived but I got no breeding from them. Soon as I got them back into tap water (pH 7.6) they have started breeding for me. Of course YMMV, but that's what I experienced. I also thing the GH was a bit low in that tank so it could have had something to do with it as well.

[water-kitties]

Originally Posted by Nubster

water-kitties - your cherries should be ok as long as the pH isn't too too low. I tried my PFR's at pH 6.4 and they lived but I got no breeding from them. Soon as I got them back into tap water (pH 7.6) they have started breeding for me. Of course YMMV, but that's what I experienced. I also thing the GH was a bit low in that tank so it could have had something to do with it as well.

Well I hope it won't buffer too low because they breed like rabbits now in tap! I was worried if I wanted to get some tigers it would be a bit high for them though. I guess I'll need to check once I get it set up, it will be a pain to need to redo the sub.