[boothie]

Actually it is technically Pico size.

I have a high interest in starting multiple nano tanks to support windowfarming. I started gathering items together to test the possibility of growing edible water plants and sustaining small fish in the DIY resevoirs. Materials:

• 
  Cylinder vases (https://goo.gl/wqkOn4), 10"w x 12" tall. Calculated volume = 942.48 each. Dividing that by 231 = 4.08 gallons each.
  
  Substrate is the black substrate, purchased Tahitan Moon Sand: Amazon.com : Carib Sea ACS05821 Tahitian Moon Sand for Aquarium, 5-Pound : Aquarium Decor : Pet Supplies and EcoComplete: http://goo.gl/vxyhol
  
  Old River rocks and marbles from old betta tanks
  
  Topside plants include Wolffia (https://goo.gl/EGFUtt), and bowl lotus (20Pcs 4 Color Mix Bowl Lotus Flower Seeds Water Aquatic FragrancPlants Nelumbo)
  
  Bottom plants include asian water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis Water Chestnut Live Plant Unique edible garden tropical) and potentially mini catttails (Narrow leaved Mini Cattail Pond Plant Koi Pond Water garden Hardy Bog Plant).
  
  Decorative accent includes Marimo Moss Balls (http://goo.gl/myHnwg)

Went a little crazy out the gate. Realizing I may have overdone it, I'm planning multiple tiny watergardens for testing purposes.

I'd like to go the natural sunlight way. I will probably need heat (even for just plants) and supplemental lighting.

Considering clip on LED lights: http://goo.gl/at9E84, Nano heater: http://goo.gl/aZyuvw

Any feedback or ideas is appreciated!

 

[Daisy Mae]

Cylinder vases? I'm in.

I have one of those 10 by 12 vases but it's sitting empty now, I have too many other vases on the go.

I suspect the 3watt LED may not be bright enough if used on its own, but if you do have supplemental natural light it would be fine.

For a heater, if your plants really need it, you can even go with 10watts. My 10 watt heater bumps up the temp in the 4 gallon (actual water volume) by 3 degrees C. I have 3 tanks like this. Your tanks would likely only have 3.5 actual gallons of water or less.

Enjoy your project and congrats on your first post!

 

[boothie]

Thanks for the feedback, Daisy. I appreciate the advice!

 

[boothie]

I love the look of the wabi kusa aquariums. Ended up purchasing some horsetail (supposed to withstand root submersion to 6" below water line) and some mini cattails (supposed to withstand root submersion 6 - 10" below waterline). Both have reported to grow well indoors with proper lighting and will add quite a bit of interest to the overall look. These are both also edible and medicinal plants. Photos are not mine.

Mini Cattails

Horsetail

 

[boothie]

Started some apothecary jar tiny-ponds with isolated plants. The details are on the blog organically.us. Wolffia, Water Lettuce, Mini Cattails and using a feeder float with nylons to sprout lotus seeds in an optimal tropical environment.

 

[boothie]

Sprouting lotus seed and biofilm. I ordered some sponge filters on Amazon, but it is taking so long I may slog myself to the pet store and pick some up. Vase two arrived yesterday, added black sand, eco-complete, water and the light. Waiting for things to look a bit more established and pretty before adding more photos.

 

[boothie]

Added the bettas and nerites along with java moss. Have some dwarf hairgrass and baby's tears on the way along with a few more marimo moss globs. I have 2 and three nerites in each. Petstore assured that would be okay, but I'm concerned there won't be enough food. How are they supplemented?