[tinkerpuppet]

I love my little 10g tank, I've had it for almost a year. But I admit, I'm a little bored. I rescaped a couple months ago, but really just moved a couple things and gave a big trim. I love my fish (a betta, a few ghost shrimp and some guppies), but would like to try a few new things.

My husband is not okay with my getting a bunch of different tanks to set up everything I think about, and really I'm not interested in the cost or maintenance either. I'm considering maybe a smaller shrimp tank, but at this point really don't have a place for it. So I'd like to just spice up what I currently have.

I might consider upsizing a bit, but not sure my current stand could take the weight of anything too big, and again, not really interested in the costs. (and the stand is not negotiable). Also I kind of like just how beautiful a small item like this can be.

So, if you were me, and wanted to jazz it up a bit, what low light, low tech suggestions would you make? I'm thinking of maybe adding some cherry shrimp to what I currently have, but not sure if my bigger ghost shrimp would eat them (I think there's enough coverage to protect them from the betta). I'm not totally attached to the guppies, my stepdad has a huge guppy tank (he gave them to me) so could have room for some smaller fish. My current plants are simple, which is totally what I love about them, but lacking a bit in pizazz. Maybe some better scaping would do them better justice? A few new interest pieces?

Ideas? Suggestions? Constructive criticism? Pictures of inspiration? Thanks!

 

[Hoppy]

You can gain 50% more water volume by switching to a 15 high tank, which is the same footprint as a 10 gallon. You couldn't increase fish load by 50% because the air/water surface would still be the same size. But, it changes the whole look of the tank. You could use a PC light like http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_74&products_id=1194 (except have it customized with two switches, one for each bulb).

 

[BradH]

Perhaps move the heater and filter all to the right corner. In other words... move the heater to the right of the filter. Move that moss over there behind the wood and let it hide the filter and heater. Then put something like some Valisneria nana or something against the rest of the back ground. Let that grassy foreground plant continue to fill in and move the lotus back to where your moss is now. Then maybe you could add a crypt or 2 on each side of the lotus.