[andrewss]

Hey plantedtank community! Well I had a 40 gallon tank that ended up getting a bit out of hand with algae and was low-tech, since I had to move I decided it could be time to start new, so I used the sale money to just get a used setup locally, this time for a nano since I find they are much easier to move with in the end (if I ever have to soon). A decent offer came up online and I decided to take it. I was silly and didn't take photos when I first got it but it was quite cluttered with just plants from the original owners main tank - he was just using it as a quarantine tank. Anyway I rescaped it today and added some anubias and javaferns - then the large piece of driftwood from the LFS. But yeah key being I didnt really do a total rescape, I kind of squashed down the driftwood on there after removing the front plants and some that I was certain aren't gonna do well without co2 from his main tank he stuck in there. I want to kind of keep this tank really easy - not sure about Co2 or anything but yeah I am not sure but I think many of the plants in there with the current scape should work with this low-tech setup but I am not sure. Can any of you ID the non anubias/javafern plants? Should they do ok with out co2? I suppose the driftwood blocks a lot of light for many of them now too but I guess I can remove whatever dies off.


As for stocking with fish I really am not sure what to do with this 8 gallon setup... was thinking originally a betta but I dunno sometimes they seem almost TOO decorative and almost unnaturally ornamental so I dunno, really not sure what to go with. Definitely some easy red shrimps and a couple snails though... beyond that? Any ideas what you all think would look good with this scape and tank size?

Here are some photos!

During the coming week I wanna make a nice stand for it and rearrange my room some so I can place the tank in a corner. Then the following week I think I'll stock the tank. The tank is already cycled from the previous owner, I assume the filter bacteria had no problem with the 1 hour in the plastic bag during transport... We'll see!



Updates incoming!

 

[andrewss]

Well, here is a big 4 month update:

I decided for a crowntail betta, I got him from a local breeder and hes great, just a bit aggressive and he ended up making a couple amanos jump ship so he is totally alone now and I guess I can't really put anything in there with him, although at some point I think I'll get assassin snails because I have seen a few small baby snails in there recently.

The tank has really settled in well, the plants stretch a bit for light and have to be trimmed a lot but generally it is working well as a low-tech tank, I added a cool little blue moon-light led beam kind of thing that makes a great vibe at night, having the lights independent of each other with timers makes it really convenient - I cleaned the tank yesterday so it is looking great today and Taksin is really happy that I have sorted out a nice A/C unit in the room so his tank isn't so hot (was 31 Celsius now its 28-29... huge heat wave in europe right now).

I am really happy with how my custom tank stand turned out, I made it out of multiplex wood and painted it and clear coated it with a marine clear coat. I gave the two pieces a bit of a lip too so the water line is a bit hidden above and below not quite as much substrate is visible since there was a bit too much in there. I also put an aquarium glass pad for the bottom so the fit is stable and safer. I will sort out a lid at some point soon but for now haven't made one and there is really no danger of jumping since the profile is so tall on the upper part. I have found that I can actually drain and move the tank quite easily with this setup which is really convenient if I ever have to move. For now it is a great desktop setup and it sits next to my laptop.

Thus far it has gone great with no algae and decent low-tech plant setup, only give it liquid co2 and a basic general fertilizer.

Hope you liked the update and seeing how the tank developed!

 

[andrewss]

Hey guys! So unfortunately Taksin the Betta died a month ago or so

I have some shrimp and 8 Chili rasboras now! I have a few questions though, I actually have gotten a bit of "white fungus" growing around the bottom of my tank / substrate - I'll upload some photos to show you it, but does anyone know what that is and how I can fight it? Honestly my substrate is pretty grimy because I cannot get to so many areas due to the nano size and all the clutter of the plants and drift wood making it really hard to reach into many areas. I got a couple nerite snails but maybe I need more help in that area? Any ideas?

Here are some photos:

I need to probably do a lot of water changes in the next weeks no? I detected a bit of a sulfur smell in the water/grime I siphoned off the bottom today in the bucket it smelled kinda of sulfur

 

[Cinnamonamon]

Your tank is gorgeous! I don't know if the "fungus" is dangerous or not, but in general a couple snails will probably help with those hard-to-reach places to clean. For gravel vacuuming, some people use a turkey baster or a chop stick to stir up the surface, then allow the vac to suck up the debris that rises. I've even been known to use the turkey baster to suck out spots of "gunk" when the water level was low enough for me to reach it easily...

How is your custom stand holding up? It looks great!

 

[Blue Ridge Reef]

The white fungus on driftwood is usually just biofilm growing from the leeching sugars. I'd bet your shrimp are appreciating it even if there is more than they can consume. As for the sulphur smell, whenever you have a deep substrate bed there is going to be anaerobic bacteria and you'll eventually have that. For partial water changes I like the small size Python brand siphon for nano tanks of this size. That looks like standard aquarium gravel so you should be able to use a small siphon like that without uprooting plants (as can be the case with really light soils). I'm an advocate for a series of small partial water changes rather than one large one, particularly in a shrimp tank. And I agree with Cinnamonamon that stand and canopy look fantastic!

 

[andrewss]

So, the time has come to "redo" this tank, well technically it isn't exactly this same tank because I actually sold it and got another one of the exact kind but with a bunch of bucephlandra plants and trident ferns, I had it sitting in the corridor for a month or so while I was getting my 80 liter main tank sorted out. I will use the same custom stand and hood, plus my the new stand I made for it as a side table as well.

I have a bucket full of some bucephlandras, two full trident ferns, mosses, etc left over from the tank as I got it and from my other tank. I plan to actually make a smaller copy of the main tank however the main change being I will use a coarse black sand on this tank instead of the ada la plata sand in the main tank.

The black lava rocks will come in a couple days, I plan to make another cave structure out of them with acrylic rod - I found that process pretty fun actually, plus having a very stable hardscape that comes out as basically one piece is very nice compared to a tear-down or redo situation with the rocks and everything being all difference pieces.

I have some nice blue dream neocaridinas coming soon - I found a local that breeds dwarf crays (the natural looking grey/brown ones) so I might also stock a few of those because I think they would look really cool with the lava caves.

I will get started with planting this saturday-sunday with thursday-friday being the lava rock construction days.


**Basic plan: A nano version of the main tank but with black substrate and only inverts planned, will also be only anubias, ferns, and buces (and some floater). Lowtech and lowish light.

 

[andrewss]

^ The last of the mixed shrimps from the tank (mostly lowgrade browns and blues). They are getting picked up in 30 minutes! I picked them from the last of the rubble, last night someone came by and took like I think 80 shrimp or something, crazy how many were in there!

cleaned as good I could in the first round, might go at it again with some lemon for the hardness deposits

its place will be in that corner, the co2 bottle for the main tank hides behind the stand/sidetable. Perfect size for the 30L cube and a beer

was a fun little project to make with some spare wood from the shop.

 

[andrewss]

So the blue dream shrimps came today, all looking good with them! I started the tank up with the previous filter and a couple pieces of the driftwood I had left over, the are currently having a small snack. Tomorrow I expect the lava rocks to come and will get started with them asap. Still looking like a Saturday scape day. So the shrimp will have to live with the barebones tank until then unfortunately.

I am slowly considering maybe going for a pair of small killifish for this tank now, not sure yet. Will have a the hood I used back with my old betta Taksin, plus I got plenty of floating plants and plan to be pretty low light with this tank. Maybe Epiplatys annulatus. It is something to consider but I think maybe keeping just the shrimp and maybe a couple dwarf crays might be better to start and see.

 

[andrewss]

Well I couldn't help myself and now especially due to inspiration from Hujetas journal, I decided to try to build in a fogger feature with this tank, will use the lava rocks to try to make a raised chamber for it - I have a couple small spare pumps to feed it water too, also plenty of - plexiglas bits left in the workshop to be able to build similar rock formations like with my 20 gallon tank.. perhaps more vertical oriented this time especially for the raised fogger, I suppose then I'll have to plant some emersed plants / mosses for the run-off from it as well!

 

[andrewss]

These quarantine times at home are proving again dangerous haha, since my chihiros light on my 20g tank has me thinking I can't go back to non programmable lights anymore, I decided to upgrade to this fluval light, seems perfect for this project:

 

[monkeyruler90]

when you get it set up, post how you like the fluval app. Ive been thinking about getting a light like this

 

[andrewss]

when you get it set up, post how you like the fluval app. Ive been thinking about getting a light like this

Will do! Should come in the mail tomorrow I am hoping!

 

[Nebthet78]

Great choice with the Fluval light. Don't forget to update your app, as there are more settings than the basic ones they gave out when they first released it. After using the Fluval lights for the past couple of years, I don't think I would ever choose another.

 

[andrewss]

Great choice with the Fluval light. Don't forget to update your app, as there are more settings than the basic ones they gave out when they first released it. After using the Fluval lights for the past couple of years, I don't think I would ever choose another.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll look out for it! Hope it comes tomorrow!



So big picture update, got the shrimp in and the tank flooded, but the fogger thing is a bit haphazard at the moment, I kinda ran out of lava rocks as well so there are too many gaps and not enough rocks to make a structure around the fogger, anyway I think I made some mistakes so I will plan to maybe raise that bit up after I replace the pump for it (it broke after 10minutes of running). So the whole thing is still a bit of a work in progress. Also I still need to order a few extra plants (more anubias and mini java ferns I think would be nice, and much more moss).

I am pretty happy with it so far, curious to see how it will be after the finishing touches with the scape and so on. Really think some grey/brown dwarf crays would look great in the tank!

Bump: **Also the fog unit was just tested in these photos, its off now because it isn't properly setup with a structure around it, I might scrap the whole thing depending on if I can get it kind of elevated and the fog like flowing, otherwise I think its a write off but interesting first try with it. Either way would definitely put it on a timer to just let it kick on occasionally for a bit of interest with the tank during viewing hours.

 

[monkeyruler90]

beautiful blue shrimp!

 

[andrewss]

Hey everyone, I have had persistent cloudiness in the tank now, I have done several large water changes and it always comes back! I will show some photos of it in this post, it is very cloudy and normally these corner filters I have in the tank have no problem clearing out one of these small cubes.

I didnt do a massive rinse on all the gravel before I scaped the tank though (maybe the source of the cloudiness) but I would think after some water changes that sorts itself out by now.

I also used a decent amount of filter floss in the tank but have a hard time believing that is the source... besides that (in the photos you'll see) the wood is quite gunked up, I had that stuff soaking a long time (mostly really good about water changing for the soaks). and it seemed they were done with the blooming phase but it seems in this tank as it is they have gotten quite a film build up on them - wondering if that has to do with the cloudiness?

Finally there was a decent amount of plexiglass and solvent used in the rock construction, however I let everything cure for nearly 24 hours so I don't that has anything to do with it...


Anyway, I took out the fogger a couple days ago and installed a small air pump just incase the shrimps need more oxygen. To be honest they are hiding a lot and not swimming around a lot, generally that indicates to me they aren't feeling so well in the tank.

Any ideas!??!

Bump: About that fluval nano light,

My overall impression is positive - I feel (no real datat here haha) as though it is only truly positive on probably a lowtech or lowlight tank, it isn't soooo bright and the spread and penetration doesnt seem that great, honestly I think it would be best for actually a bit smaller of a tank. However for my uses here I think it is absolutely fine!

The price for the quality seems quite decent, the mount isn't the best or worst really. The housing is actually good for the price I suppose (alu used) and the overall look is quite smart!

As for the functionality, I really like the bluetooth app controller for it is quite good, compared to the chihiros one it is mucccch more polished but in the end basically does the same thing so whatever, but it certainly is more polished and more obviously laid out functions.

While the LEDs dont seem sooooooo bright the cluster is quite nice with most all the colors one would want - for my uses I think it is totally fine and nice to have a light for under 100 that I can custom make a cycle for, quite a decent bargain really!

 

[andrewss]

So a little sneak peak, I am finished tinkering with this tank! Got the scape sorted out, the fogger is working as best as I can get it with the given scape and dimensions, pretty happy with the overall result with this tank! Could get a couple cool photos of it with the night light on and the foggers built in LED on red, looks pretty cool in the dark kitchen! Will update with some day time photos in the next couple days, actually found a local with some extra blue dream shrimps so I will add 10-15 more to the tank since the original 10 are really still hiding a ton and only see like 4-6 at any given time!

 

[andrewss]

Here is a little video introduction of the tank:

 

[Discusluv]

Here is a little video introduction of the tank:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vAjorbOedk

So cool! I like the mist that is created on the top. Are you going to add some plants to the wood that grow outside the water?

You've done a great job with the layout, plant placement.



Are you/have you added snails, shrimp, or fish?

Edit: I just now saw that you have Blue dream shrimp in here. Have any pictures or a video of them?

Bump:

Hey everyone, I have had persistent cloudiness in the tank now, I have done several large water changes and it always comes back! I will show some photos of it in this post, it is very cloudy and normally these corner filters I have in the tank have no problem clearing out one of these small cubes.

I didnt do a massive rinse on all the gravel before I scaped the tank though (maybe the source of the cloudiness) but I would think after some water changes that sorts itself out by now.

I also used a decent amount of filter floss in the tank but have a hard time believing that is the source... besides that (in the photos you'll see) the wood is quite gunked up, I had that stuff soaking a long time (mostly really good about water changing for the soaks). and it seemed they were done with the blooming phase but it seems in this tank as it is they have gotten quite a film build up on them - wondering if that has to do with the cloudiness?

Finally there was a decent amount of plexiglass and solvent used in the rock construction, however I let everything cure for nearly 24 hours so I don't that has anything to do with it...


Anyway, I took out the fogger a couple days ago and installed a small air pump just incase the shrimps need more oxygen. To be honest they are hiding a lot and not swimming around a lot, generally that indicates to me they aren't feeling so well in the tank.

Any ideas!??!

Bump: About that fluval nano light,

My overall impression is positive - I feel (no real datat here haha) as though it is only truly positive on probably a lowtech or lowlight tank, it isn't soooo bright and the spread and penetration doesnt seem that great, honestly I think it would be best for actually a bit smaller of a tank. However for my uses here I think it is absolutely fine!

The price for the quality seems quite decent, the mount isn't the best or worst really. The housing is actually good for the price I suppose (alu used) and the overall look is quite smart!

As for the functionality, I really like the bluetooth app controller for it is quite good, compared to the chihiros one it is mucccch more polished but in the end basically does the same thing so whatever, but it certainly is more polished and more obviously laid out functions.

While the LEDs dont seem sooooooo bright the cluster is quite nice with most all the colors one would want - for my uses I think it is totally fine and nice to have a light for under 100 that I can custom make a cycle for, quite a decent bargain really!

I just put this light on my Fluvel Flex 9. Its okay.

I will not be getting it again because I feel like it doesn't get as good of spread as does a LED strip light.

I do like the color, though.

 

[JetMech]

Cool Colors!

Andrewss, this is a great looking tank. Neat use of color and the fogger- I had never thought to incorporate one in this way.