12"x8"x8" - Planted Nano

[Hooligan]

12"x8"x8" - Planted Nano.
Initial Ideas

Plants considered

• Willow Moss
• Marsilea Quadrifolia
• Hemianthus Callitrichoides
• Cryptocorynes Lucens
• Bolbitis Heudelotii
• Rotala Rotundifolia
• Limnophila Sessiliflora
• Ceratopteris Thalictroides
• Riccia
• Glossostigma Elatinoides

So I’ve had a think about it and I’m probably going to use Glossostigma Elatinoides for as a carpet plant instead of Riccia and then maybe have either Dwarf or normal Riccia on the wood. And maybe a bushy small leaved plant as well? I dunno, this is where I need help so I am almost certainly open to suggestions. ​

Fish Considered

• Corydoras Pygmaeus (Pygmy Cories)
• Boraras Micros (Micro Rasbora)
• Celestichthys Margaritatus (Celestial Pearl Danio)

Again I'm open to suggestions ​

Equipment and fertiliser and stuff wise I was planning on using Tropica Plant Substrate underneath a fine quartz gravel. Then using chemicals such as Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Phosphate (monobasic) and Seachem Flourish for traces. Would this be ideal?

On the CO2 side of things I’m planning on getting a large pressurised cylinder. Much like the ones used for welding, then using one of the T shaped things to split it between the main tank (also planning on planting) and the nano (this one). However I am finding it difficult to find a large pressurised cylinder (mainly searching ebay every night) so anyone who has any suggestions or useful links let me know.

Lighting is another thing I’m confused about (not really surprising… I’m a very simple person…). At the moment the tank has an Arcadia 11w Arc Pod thing. However I can get my hands on other lighting such as the Interpet 18w T5 Power Compact Convertagear thing or one with a higher watt output. (I apologise if I’m speaking a load of nonsense) What would you suggest?

Sorry for all the newbie comments and thoughts but I’m completely new to this planted stuff .

 

[mlawson]

It seems you have thought a lot about this tank, I love the 12 by 8 by 8 inch tanks, a perfect nano. Your plant selection seems well thought out but IMO Ceratopteris Thalictroides and Bolbitis Heudelotii will grow too large for the height of the tank. Hemianthus micranthemoides makes a nice plant for nanos.

So I’ve had a think about it and I’m probably going to use Glossostigma Elatinoides for as a carpet plant instead of Riccia and then maybe have either Dwarf or normal Riccia on the wood. And maybe a bushy small leaved plant as well? I dunno, this is where I need help so I am almost certainly open to suggestions.

You could have the Hemianthus callichtroides for the carpeting plant, it has smaller leaves, but equally, glosso makes a nice carpeting plant too.

Corydoras Pygmaeus (Pygmy Cories)
Boraras Micros (Micro Rasbora)
Celestichthys Margaritatus (Celestial Pearl Danio

Your fish selection seems good too. Have you considered C. habrosus instead of C. pygmaeus? IMO they are more attractive and active, and stay the same size (roughly). Or alternatively C. hastatus. Otherwise you fish selection is ideal, the micro rasbora may be more hardy and active of the two.

Equipment and fertiliser and stuff wise I was planning on using Tropica Plant Substrate underneath a fine quartz gravel. Then using chemicals such as Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Phosphate (monobasic) and Seachem Flourish for traces. Would this be ideal?

If you using dry ferts, pressurised CO2 and high lighting, then you should go for the EI route, look at the pinned topics and ask questions on here. Sorry, I dont know much about CO2 systems but a lot of people do on here.

Lighting is another thing I’m confused about (not really surprising… I’m a very simple person…). At the moment the tank has an Arcadia 11w Arc Pod thing. However I can get my hands on other lighting such as the Interpet 18w T5 Power Compact Convertagear thing or one with a higher watt output. (I apologise if I’m speaking a load of nonsense) What would you suggest?

That would give you roughly *5WPG? Which would be sufficient, I don't like the colour of the Arc-pod bulbs but it would be fine.

Have you thought much about hardscape? Wood? or Rock?

Also which substrate do you have in mind?

Cheers,
Mike

*EDIT: sorry, more like 4WPG.

 

[Hooligan]

It seems you have thought a lot about this tank, I love the 12 by 8 by 8 inch tanks, a perfect nano. Your plant selection seems well thought out but IMO Ceratopteris Thalictroides and Bolbitis Heudelotii will grow too large for the height of the tank. Hemianthus micranthemoides makes a nice plant for nanos.

Lol, thankyou. I was expecting it to be well out. They're crossed off the list then....

You could have the Hemianthus callichtroides for the carpeting plant, it has smaller leaves, but equally, glosso makes a nice carpeting plant too.

Oooh thankyou I'll have a look into that one... before ordering plants. Do you have any ideas for any other plants which wopuld be suitable?

Your fish selection seems good too. Have you considered C. habrosus instead of C. pygmaeus? IMO they are more attractive and active, and stay the same size (roughly). Or alternatively C. hastatus. Otherwise you fish selection is ideal, the micro rasbora may be more hardy and active of the two.

Oooh, I'll have a look into those two. I think the Micro Rasbora is almost a definte, would be a nice shoaling fish for it.

4WPG.

Would 4wpg be sufficient for plant growth?

Have you thought much about hardscape? Wood? or Rock?

I have a nice piece of wood in there at the minute which I was planning on using, it's a nice shape. Or a nice piece of rock, but most likely wood.

Also which substrate do you have in mind?[quote/]

Apparently its a kind of quartz according to the bf (Paul_MTS) I'll try and get a picture of it tomorrow...

Thankyou very much for your help

Lisa

 

[Paul_MTS]

The mentioned gravel....

 

[Hooligan]

Ok I decided I don't like that gravel and Paul sent me this picture of 3 different types...

I prefer the one on the far right, would this still be suitable?

Any other suggestions appreciated

 

[mlawson]

The one of the far right looks the best IMO, should look great in you nano. Quartz will not be sufficient for plant growth on its own, you need something under it, I can recommend the Tropica plant substrate.

Mike

 

[Hooligan]

The Tropica Plant Substrate is now a definite and the plan is to steal some of Paul_MTS's

 

[DevUK]

Whats the substrate on the right? Looks nice

 

[Paul_MTS]

It's Uni-Pet black sand, Maidenhead stores stock it.

Wohooo all our planty bits should arrive tomorrow!