0.9G Low Maintenance Desk Nano

11157 Views 64 Replies 23 Participants Last post by gnod, Jun 20, 2011

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · Jan 4, 2011

I picked up a Marina Betta Cubus 0.9G Setup complete with a 3 bulb LED light for $19 from Petsmart a few weeks ago. I'm using the very dim light it came with since I want it to be a virtually no maintenance setup. Nothing extraordinary here, but makes a nice addition to my desk at work. Setup consists of moss rock, pool filter sand and peacock moss. The light in the pic is a 13watt cf and is only there for the purpose of taking the picture.

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theDeanorama

· #2 · Jan 4, 2011

I like that little pedestal/stand you have underneath (the tank itself is pretty nicely set up too btw

), where did you find that?

I'm looking for something about that size as I want to create a mini cabinet for it ... thinking of DIY'ing a tiny canister filter for the tank and want to mod something so I can tuck it out of sight.

Newman

· #3 · Jan 4, 2011

it looks very nice. if you dont put shrimp or anything other than plants in there, then that can cut down on your maintenance, but you'd still have to spend some time each week cleaning the glass and algae out. Did that stand come with the tank? looks perfect for it =)

non_compliance

· #4 · Jan 4, 2011

It needs ONE rcs....

Clare12345

· #5 · Jan 5, 2011

Agreed with the one rcs..

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 5, 2011

Thanks for the comments. The stand is from a candlestick holder I got a while back at Pier One. I was using it for another nano and it fit this one as well.

Tank is still in startup mode, but I will probably go with 1 or 2 RCS.

hydrophyte

· #7 · Jan 5, 2011

That is really nice. I like the way the rock sticks out above the water surface.

theDeanorama

· #8 · Jan 5, 2011

houseofcards said:
Thanks for the comments. The stand is from a candlestick holder I got a while back at Pier One. I was using it for another nano and it fit this one as well.

Tank is still in startup mode, but I will probably go with 1 or 2 RCS.

Oh, never occurred to me to check in a Pier One, have one in the neighbourhood of my office, I'll have to check it out tomorrow!

Are you not worried about the rcs getting out with the lid not being utilized? I thought they could be jumpers when overly excited?

matthew.shelly

· #9 · Jan 5, 2011

hydrophyte said:
That is really nice. I like the way the rock sticks out above the water surface.

I like it too. I don't think I've ever seen someone have the rock coming up out of the water. I've seen it plenty of times with wood sticking out, but rock. I like it.

+1 the shrimp

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 5, 2011

Another shot a little closer. You could see the moss growing emersed on the rock as well.

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shoteh

· #11 · Jan 5, 2011

Nice small setup. I'm assuming baster for water changes? Too bad my room temp is too cold to add anything live to a tank like that at work.

RcScRs

· #12 · Jan 5, 2011

An Azoo or Red Sea nano filter would be great if you are planning to add any fauna.

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 5, 2011

shoteh said:
Nice small setup. I'm assuming baster for water changes? Too bad my room temp is too cold to add anything live to a tank like that at work.

I actually use a small hose for water changes. I think 1/4".

No filter on this. Even the nano filter would look too big, especially with the rock and sand. One think to realize with this setup is that I can take everything out and put everything back in within a few minutes so if it does get dirty over time it's easily corrected.

Chasintrades

· #14 · Jan 5, 2011

So you will not be getting any work done for a little while while staring at less than a gallon of water...

Nice set up! Happy New Year.

Newman

· #15 · Jan 6, 2011

youre going to have to do at least weekly maintenance on it if you put shrimp in there.
I like the scape.

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 6, 2011

Thanks for the comments.

Chasintrades said:
So you will not be getting any work done for a little while while staring at less than a gallon of water...

Nice set up! Happy New Year.

LOL, so true.

Anyway I made a couple of changes. I fine-tuned the foreground rocks a bit and I decided to change the light. The stock light was just too dim even for enjoyable viewing so I replaced it with a Rio Mini Sun light with 10 LEDs. I'm going to let the moss grow out a bit and see where it goes.

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Newman

· #17 · Jan 6, 2011

are you watering that moss everyday?

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 6, 2011

Newman said:
are you watering that moss everyday?

I do spray it down whenever I remember, but as long as some of the moss strands are in the water it keeps even the emersed part moist.

houseofcards

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 12, 2011

Some more pics:

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3

seadreamer

· #20 · Jan 14, 2011

That is absolutely gorgeous. Love the new light. I'm inspired to set up my nano again. And I agree with others that the rock looks great sticking out of the water.

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