I want to use black gravel at the bottom, what is the best substrate to use, there are ones to help the plants grow?
-- If you want black try Flourite Dark or Amazonia Aquasoil. Those are probably the two most common "black" substrates for planted aquariums
What other things could I use to keep the plants healthy and growing, liquid nutrients or something like that?
-- Nutrient requirements will depend on what plants you keep, how much light you're going to have, and what type of growth you're aiming for.
I have seen that people use CO2 systems, they are quiet expensive, are these needed in nano tanks?
-- Co2 injection has less to do with the size of the tank than it has to do with how much light you have and what plants you're working with. Lots of people run Co2 in nano tanks.
After it is setup I want to introduce a few shrimp, which are the best to keep algae down? I wanted cherry shrimp but have been told these aren't the best
-- IME the best algae eating shrimp are Amano shrimp but my RCS do pretty good as well.
As I will be putting shrimp in there, will I need to bring in a heater?
-- Most dwarf shrimp species prefer "colder" water. I keep my shrimp tank right around 70 degress with no heater. Just whatever room temperature is and they all do just fine.
If I wasn't to add shrimp would the water changes still be as regular as my tropical tank?
-- Some low tech tanks don't require water changes at all. Again, thats a question which can't really be answered without the full specs of your proposed nano tank...
If you post exactly what you're planning to do people will be more likely to answer your questions and help you out. Without a full spec list any answers are just a guess and not really pointed towards what you might be working with.
-- If you want black try Flourite Dark or Amazonia Aquasoil. Those are probably the two most common "black" substrates for planted aquariums
What other things could I use to keep the plants healthy and growing, liquid nutrients or something like that?
-- Nutrient requirements will depend on what plants you keep, how much light you're going to have, and what type of growth you're aiming for.
I have seen that people use CO2 systems, they are quiet expensive, are these needed in nano tanks?
-- Co2 injection has less to do with the size of the tank than it has to do with how much light you have and what plants you're working with. Lots of people run Co2 in nano tanks.
After it is setup I want to introduce a few shrimp, which are the best to keep algae down? I wanted cherry shrimp but have been told these aren't the best
-- IME the best algae eating shrimp are Amano shrimp but my RCS do pretty good as well.
As I will be putting shrimp in there, will I need to bring in a heater?
-- Most dwarf shrimp species prefer "colder" water. I keep my shrimp tank right around 70 degress with no heater. Just whatever room temperature is and they all do just fine.
If I wasn't to add shrimp would the water changes still be as regular as my tropical tank?
-- Some low tech tanks don't require water changes at all. Again, thats a question which can't really be answered without the full specs of your proposed nano tank...
If you post exactly what you're planning to do people will be more likely to answer your questions and help you out. Without a full spec list any answers are just a guess and not really pointed towards what you might be working with.
