My new 6" cube - low tech

[NO3]

Just set this up yesterday. My goal is to spend as little money on this tank as possible.

Tank: craft store 6" cube vase
Substrate: Leftover Aquasoil from my other tank, Finnex 4
Rocks: Random rocks found on sidewalk
Light: Azoo 9W
Flora: HC, and Dwarf Hairgrass, trimmed from the other tank
Fauna: Hope to place a pair of Endler's in it when tank is ready
CO2: a few drops of excel weekly
Filter: frequent WC

Water has cleared up some since yesterday, so took a couple pix today.

Suggestions are welcome.

[suebe333]

that is cute , what is it like a half a gallon ??

[GlassCat594]

Are you going to put fish in it. A betta maybe?

I am trying something similar with a vase and a betta. So far I have had little luck due to the fact I have no light for it yet. I will set that up soon.

[Down_Shift]

That's less than a gallon right?

[rrrrramos]

Originally Posted by GlassCat594

Are you going to put fish in it. A betta maybe?

I am trying something similar with a vase and a betta. So far I have had little luck due to the fact I have no light for it yet. I will set that up soon.

Originally Posted by NO3

Fauna: Hope to place a pair of Endler's in it when tank is ready

A tank made from trimmings, I just set something like that up too! If only you were closer up here I've got some Endler's that I'm trying to get rid of!
Dig the layout so far

[NO3]

Almost a gallon.

Originally Posted by suebe333

that is cute , what is it like a half a gallon ??

Originally Posted by Down_Shift

That's less than a gallon right?

Thanks.
I have some Endler's in another tank, just need to move them when this one is ready.

Originally Posted by rrrrramos

A tank made from trimmings, I just set something like that up too! If only you were closer up here I've got some Endler's that I'm trying to get rid of!
Dig the layout so far

If you look close enough in the 2nd pic, behind this 6" cube there is actually a 4" cube with a betta and some java moss in it. The 9 W light seems to provide enough light for both tanks so far. I have been growing the hairgrass emersed for a week with this light, just couldn't stand watching a waterless tank so finally scaped and flooded it this weekend.

Originally Posted by GlassCat594

Are you going to put fish in it. A betta maybe?

I am trying something similar with a vase and a betta. So far I have had little luck due to the fact I have no light for it yet. I will set that up soon.

[NO3]

I's been a while, thought I update this journal.

Growth was super slow in the beginning with dosing 3 drops of Excel weekly. So I upped it to 1 drop daily. Over the span of a month, I kept increasing the dosage and finally got up to 5 drops/day now. The plants seem to like it a lot better. Growth is still slow but I am definitely seeing some daily progress.

[Kayen]

That 4" cube is waaay too small for that betta, even that 6" and the 7" would be too small.
Is that the permanent home ?
Also on your new cube: should fill in pretty fast, looks good.

[ClPat]

I agree with Kayen for the betta. Nice 6" though, I'm waiting to see it fill in. Should look nice.

[NO3]

Originally Posted by Kayen

That 4" cube is waaay too small for that betta, even that 6" and the 7" would be too small.
Is that the permanent home ?

Really? I used to have him in a 4 gallon tank by himself and he looked confused. Didn't move around much, just spent most of his time near the top and sometimes even ignore food.

He finds food a lot faster in the 4" cube and and eats as soon as the pellets are dropped into the water. I do water change every other day to keep him healthy.

[Aquamadman]

not to criticise or to prove anyone wrong here but Ive seen bettas live in plastic cups at the qauarium shop. I have no doubt that NO3's Betta will do fine in that vase right there as long as keeps up with the maintainance which isnt all that much with a tank that size.

I admire what you guys do with those little tanks. I would have preffered a slightly bigger tank though.

[Dollface]

Originally Posted by Aquamadman

not to criticise or to prove anyone wrong here but Ive seen bettas live in plastic cups at the qauarium shop. I have no doubt that NO3's Betta will do fine in that vase right there as long as keeps up with the maintainance which isnt all that much with a tank that size.

I admire what you guys do with those little tanks. I would have preffered a slightly bigger tank though.

Those cups are only used to keep bettas in untill they're sold, they're not meant to live in them long term.

[Aquamadman]

I know that but besides that Bettas are labyrinth fish. They can draw air from the surface so out of all fish, they are most compatible with such a setup if you dont include guppies or shrimp if of course the tank is maintained properly.

[Dollface]

Originally Posted by Aquamadman

I know that but besides that Bettas are labyrinth fish. They can draw air from the surface so out of all fish, they are most compatible with such a setup if you dont include guppies or shrimp if of course the tank is maintained properly.

If you knew that they arn't spossed to live in those long term, then you shouldn't have offered it as an example. :S

A betta should really have atleast 1-2 gallons. I personally find that a 5.5 gallon is a great size for my betta, especially heavily planted. If you're looking for somthing smaller though a 2.5 would do nicely.

[Aquamadman]

It was actually more of an example of what these little fellas can endure compared to our friend's tank here but nevertheless you are right about the cups. I think Ill leave the decission up to NO3 about his Betta though I still think its compatible.