Biorb For Show

[PeeJay]

Hey guys,

Ok so i made a post a couple weeks back, i picked up a cheap 30l biorb, was going to use it to house a betta fish, but decided im just going to use it for show with no fish, just have a few questions.

1: Ill mainly be using it just with the light on and not the filter, so is it ok to put sand in the bottom of it? If so, will it be best to take the tube out or leave it in for show? Also where is the best place to get sand, cheaper the better as im on a budget.

2: Is it possible to put normal plants/grass in it, like garden plants? will they survive in the water, this is the type i was thinking

3: With me being on a budget, what kinda of natural items do you suggest i could use it it that i could pick up out and about?

Thats its for now i think.

Thanks in advance

 

[DrRob]

Sand wise, if you're having living things you still need to watch added chemicals, although not as much as if you're having fish. Anything you can plant plants in in that case is fine, including most composts, however play sand is often used as a cheap sand option for fish containing tanks. Play sand you can pick up at Argos or Tescos or the equivalents in the UK, not sure about elsewhere.

Without the filter I can't see any reason why you'd need the tube.

As for those plants, I'd suspect no. Most plants can't do submerged unless they're designed to, some can do a bit of both but never thrive, the rest we keep in aquariums. It's got a lot to do with how the leaves are structured.

You can often keep marginals, such as the rushes or reed or iris types. Do you plan to heat the tank? Small versions of pond plants would work there, or bog plants. Do you plan to fill the tank entirely or half full?

Natural items, well soaked wood or certain stones.

Had you considered shrimps in this?

 

[PeeJay]

Thanks for reply, well i wasnt going to have a heater, but the room is always warm, having got a thermometer but from feeling the water i would say its pretty warm. The tank will be full and yes i did consider shrimp, i may plan on getting some, how many would you suggest for this size?

thanks

 

[PeeJay]

Heres a pic of what it looks like now, the grass thing was just added to see what i look likes, also not to sure of the lord of the rings thing lol just tried it out. Also just added a piece of wood

The other plants are live plants i bought from my LFS a few weeks back