Expectations for Planted Nano Tank?

[Calvin]

I'm deciding to do a Nano Shrimp Tank, either cherry or ghost shrimps. (Other suggestions would be nice and accounted for)

Planning to not use CO2

Substrate:
Either organic soil mix layered on the bottom of sand
or Fluval Shrimp Stratum

Going to have

Utricularia graminifolia - Replacing

Java Moss

Java Fern

Anubias

Hornwort - Replacing

6 Gallons JBJ Nano Cube

18 watt lighting

What complications should I be expecting with this build?

[Calvin]

Okay, this isn't working I'll refix the thread.

[zico_aqua]

UG is a carnivorous plant by nature, and best avoided in a shrimp only tank, can effect shrimplets life existence. Plus it requires CO2 injection to be at it's best heath. Other than that the list is fine if there is going to be no CO2 injection. A slight bit of fert addition atleast once a week should be fine as your are on a low-tech route.

[Calmia22]

Yea as the other poster said don't do ug. You will probably also find that you absolutely hate hornwort. It's a floating plant, and since this will be a low light small tank it will just take over.

Since you don't have anything that would be planted into the substrate, you might consider adding another plant like glosso or water wisteria. My nano is nothing but wisteria. It looks awesome!

soil/sand mix can be messy. The shrimp stratum is light, and is a bit challenging to plant in at first but its what I learned with and can be done.

Do cherry shrimps. They breed like crazy and you will love the bring red amoungst all of the greenery.

[somewhatshocked]

It's a myth that UG is unsafe for shrimp. It's 100% safe. Even for the tiniest of shrimplets.

UG is carnivorous in the sense that it can consume nearly microscopic critters. If you've ever seen UG when next to a shrimp - or in some of my own shrimp tanks - you'll see why there's no way it could harm a young shrimp.

CO2, ferts and high light would the real limitation, as mentioned.

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

It's a myth that UG is unsafe for shrimp. It's 100% safe. Even for the tiniest of shrimplets.

UG is carnivorous in the sense that it can consume nearly microscopic critters. If you've ever seen UG when next to a shrimp - or in some of my own shrimp tanks - you'll see why there's no way it could harm a young shrimp.

CO2, ferts and high light would the real limitation, as mentioned.

Okay thank you for the input, what should I replace hornwort with. Thanks for the information on the UG, did not know that.

[ramen lover]

Be careful with ghost shrimp. they are more of a feedership shrimp that pet stores sell. I didn't know this when I bought them from petsmart (so cheap!).. and some of them were terrorizing my fish. I put them all in a fish bowl.

i would either get RCS or Amano. Amano shrimp are a bit bigger than RCS, but both seem cool. I only have RCS and I like how they look on a dark substrate. they really stand out since they are red. They also breed like crazy

[amphirion]

UG will not eat shrimplets. UG grows its traps subterrestrially, so unless if shrimp can dig, they are in no danger. Utricularia gibba stands a better chance of being a threat to your shrimplets.

also, UG does not need CO2 to thrive in a nano-tank. ime, high lighting is what makes or breaks it in a nano-setting. i had 15 wpg on it and it did just fine. check my sig (2.5 pico) to see my results.

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by amphirion

UG will not eat shrimplets. UG grows its traps subterrestrially, so unless if shrimp can dig, they are in no danger. Utricularia gibba stands a better chance of being a threat to your shrimplets.

also, UG does not need CO2 to thrive in a nano-tank. ime, high lighting is what makes or breaks it in a nano-setting. i had 15 wpg on it and it did just fine. check my sig (2.5 pico) to see my results.

I'm not going to risk using it (being its my first time doing a planted tank).

If I decide to turn my backdrop and create a moss wall for my JBJ, what should I be expecting? I'm planning to get a net to stay up and plant several java moss across it.

Since the backdrop is connected to the intake of the filter should I be fine if I cut it daily to prevent it from interfering with the filter?

Should I be worried if it allows the shrimp to enter the filter?


Here's the tank I'm using.

[somewhatshocked]

Neither UG nor U. gibba have bladders large enough for baby shrimp. UG does need CO2 to thrive for an extended period, though. It will grow without it, as amphirion has demonstrated, just not over a long period of time. And with high light comes the need for CO2 and fert dosing. UG is a fert hog. Also needs to be thinned pretty regularly so lower growth receives light - even in high light situations. Without the ideal environment, it usually doesn't last more than a year.

Find that temperature really doesn't matter so much with it. Water hardness doesn't matter, either, despite all the myths I've found out there about it.

I end up thinning and replanting my patches about every 2-3 weeks. Definitely one of my favorite plants.

WPG isn't really a solid standard for light measurement these days. PAR is much more accurate.

amphirion: Your 2.5gal tank with UG was terrific - what was the specific light fixture you were using and how many inches from the substrate was it? That will help determine your actual light level.

Calvin: Many people do the moss wall thing and it's fine. Just remember that shrimp can and will get trapped behind it on occasion.

You'll definitely need to cover all points of entry to your filter chamber with fine mesh or sponge.

[amphirion]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

amphirion: Your 2.5gal tank with UG was terrific - what was the specific light fixture you were using and how many inches from the substrate was it? That will help determine your actual light level.

you're probably right about the long term not being over a year. my tank deteriorated somewhere around that time. that being said, the tank was sloped so anywhere from 4 inches to 7.5 inches from the lights. substrate used was florabase.

[somewhatshocked]

Even if it doesn't last a long time in setups like that - it is TOTALLY worth it. As is evidenced by your tank. The plant is underrated, in my opinion.

What I've had to do in the past is just break small setups with it down and replant it in emersed tanks or high-tech environments.

Calvin: Have you given any other thought to plant varieties you might decide to use?

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Even if it doesn't last a long time in setups like that - it is TOTALLY worth it. As is evidenced by your tank. The plant is underrated, in my opinion.

What I've had to do in the past is just break small setups with it down and replant it in emersed tanks or high-tech environments.

Calvin: Have you given any other thought to plant varieties you might decide to use?

I'm looking around the forums to see what I can put, I'm pretty open to suggestions. I'm making sure I'm not over ambitious cause that can affect my bank a bit. (I'm a young adult)

I'm positive about keeping the Java/Anubias since they're are hardy by nature.

[somewhatshocked]

If you want an easy plant that will give you a bit of a carpeting look? You could go with Crypt parva. Should also consider other cool crypts. They're easy to care for.

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

If you want an easy plant that will give you a bit of a carpeting look? You could go with Crypt parva. Should also consider other cool crypts. They're easy to care for.

Quite cheap as well, thanks!