If You Were To Do A 2 Gallon Nano...

[Misskiwi67]

I might be moving this summer to take advantage of a great summer opportunity, so I've given my 10 gallon planted to my mom. It has been torn down and integrated into her 29 gallon, so IF I were to build a smaller replacement, I would be starting over from square one. However, I really miss my planted tank, and I'm thinking of putting something together for one of my four bettas. I have 4 breeder males in retirement, and figure I can spoil one of them while I spoil myself.

So if you wanted to put together a 1-2 gallon, highly portable, (preferably plastic) desktop planted aquarium.... where would you start? Does anyone have something like this that I could copy?

 

[RYO]

http/showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005...ategory=0&vol=0
Try this for some small tank ideas , not sure how portable they would be but shows you don't have to cut too many corners with the looks.
I kept a 5g long a few years ago and found the hardest part for the plants was the lighting, mind there wasn't the choice or forums like this to get the info from.

 

[Misskiwi67]

http/showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005...ategory=0&vol=0
Try this for some small tank ideas , not sure how portable they would be but shows you don't have to cut too many corners with the looks.
I kept a 5g long a few years ago and found the hardest part for the plants was the lighting, mind there wasn't the choice or forums like this to get the info from.

I did some looking around, and found a neat idea on drsfostersmith... they have a link to a powercompact light option, which would increase the wattage considerably.

My biggest worry is that the suggested 10W powercompact bulb would cook my fish if I were to use it in the 2.5 gallon tank. I know a lot of people need fans installed to keep the tanks cool, and I certainly don't want to worry about temperature drops at night either...

Here's the links... any thoughts?

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...85&N=2004+62761

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...d=6&pCatId=9870

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hmm you could use a standard desk lamp to light your nano and suspend it over your aquarium, this would greatly minimize heat absorbed by the water 10 watts over 2.5 gallons is not that high