New Nano Setup

~T~

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Ok heres some pics of my creation.Its still a bit fugly but hopefully given time it will look nicer.I still need to setup the CO2(probably go with my hagen DIY type), get a better bulb(I have been recommended a compact flurescent) and i'll probably get some more hairgrass(thats all the lfs had).

Please critique my setup im open to any advice.

The material for the moss walls.
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Cut to size.
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Moss spread out evenly.I then sandwiched it with the other piece of mesh and tied(sewed ;) )them together so the fish cant get stuck in them.
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Centrepiece bogwood with java moss tied to it.
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Tank ready for decor/substrate.
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Laterite spread roughly where I will be planting(apparently its not needed with florabase but it cant hurt to have extra nutrients).
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Bogwood in position.
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Separating my hairgrass and pygmy chain sword.
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Added the florabase, plants and half filled.
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Trumpets added to keep my substrate moving.
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Riccia positioned on rocks.
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Tied down with net(I tied it better after I took the pic).
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Some pics of the finished tank, the fish/shrimp were happy to be out of the bucket and there were no casualties exept on of my bumblebee shrimps that died but rose again(they think they are Jesus :roll: ).
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Very nice start! What are the specs especially tank size? If it's a normally small nano, then you probably don't need compact flourescent lighting.
 
Very nice start! What are the specs especially tank size? If it's a normally small nano, then you probably don't need compact flourescent lighting.

Thanks heres my stats

Glass tank 24" x 8" x 8"
Duetto DJ 50 filter
Visitherm heater
Desk light 50w
 
Where did you get your trumpets from and what are the benefits of having them in the tank??


Looks great!!

I got 6 of them free out my lfs ages ago for my 40gal and they have multiplied about a billion times.They work like worms keeping your substrate moving although they are more beneficial in sand setups.
 
Nice start. Consider adding some fast growing stem plants to help combat early algae issues that are common in new set ups.

I fear that your 50w desk lamp may not be sufficient to grow your plants, especially toward the left of the tank where the intensity will be lower.
 
Looks great, cant wait to see the moss walls grow :D . Is your desk lamp a 50 watt fluorescent bulb? If so where did you get it? Could be useful for me, i'm actually trying to grow greenwater :lol: .
I was thinking the same as george though, i you may want to move the lamp, and i'm not too sure a desk lamp would have the right spectrum for growing plants.
Though it's next to a window, and the sun is the best light possible for growing plants, but you will probably get loads of algae in the summer so i hope the window has blinds*.
 
Nice start. Consider adding some fast growing stem plants to help combat early algae issues that are common in new set ups.

I fear that your 50w desk lamp may not be sufficient to grow your plants, especially toward the left of the tank where the intensity will be lower.

I agree with George. Is that a halogen bulb or a standard incadescent, I can't tell from the picture. The light distribution isn't equal at any rate. If you replace the bulb with a CF then you'll most likely get either an 11W or a 13W bulb depending on the make, and you may be able to grow plants then, but you'll be limited to pretty much your moss. The chain sword, hairgrass, and riccia will not do well.

For lighting, I picked up a desklamp at an office supply store. The bulb is U-shaped rather than corkscrew-shaped that would fit in your fixture and lights a lot more tank area. It is a 13W lamp, but they have other lamps that have similar construction with 18W bulbs, which are longer. You tank is a lot longer than mine is. I also did a calculation on this website I like for your benefit. It shows the wattage you need to achieve certain lighting levels in your tank based on the bulb you choose. I found your levels by inputting the length and width of your tank. To grow some of the plants you have, you'll need a lot more light. Here are your results.

http://woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/CalcLight.p...8&Length=24

Your tank is actually long enough that you could easily upgrade your lighting by purchasing a CF fixture that is designed for aquariums. As long as you find a 24" fixture, you should be fine. They even sell legs to mount the fixture.

I hope this helps a bit.

llj :)
 
Nice start. Consider adding some fast growing stem plants to help combat early algae issues that are common in new set ups.

I fear that your 50w desk lamp may not be sufficient to grow your plants, especially toward the left of the tank where the intensity will be lower.

I agree with George. Is that a halogen bulb or a standard incadescent, I can't tell from the picture. The light distribution isn't equal at any rate. If you replace the bulb with a CF then you'll most likely get either an 11W or a 13W bulb depending on the make, and you may be able to grow plants then, but you'll be limited to pretty much your moss. The chain sword, hairgrass, and riccia will not do well.

For lighting, I picked up a desklamp at an office supply store. The bulb is U-shaped rather than corkscrew-shaped that would fit in your fixture and lights a lot more tank area. It is a 13W lamp, but they have other lamps that have similar construction with 18W bulbs, which are longer. You tank is a lot longer than mine is. I also did a calculation on this website I like for your benefit. It shows the wattage you need to achieve certain lighting levels in your tank based on the bulb you choose. I found your levels by inputting the length and width of your tank. To grow some of the plants you have, you'll need a lot more light. Here are your results.

http://woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/CalcLight.p...8&Length=24

Your tank is actually long enough that you could easily upgrade your lighting by purchasing a CF fixture that is designed for aquariums. As long as you find a 24" fixture, you should be fine. They even sell legs to mount the fixture.

I hope this helps a bit.

llj :)


Thanks for the help could you explain the CF lighting that you are talking about and where I could get one, thanks!!
 
Looks really promising. Aquaessentials sells a CF over tank light 60 cms which should fit, needs a generous wallet if I remember correctly. The arcadia “arcpodsâ€￾ might work maybe two 11 watts.
Looks good, thanks for the detail on making the moss wall, hope to see it maturing.
 
Looks really promising. Aquaessentials sells a CF over tank light 60 cms which should fit, needs a generous wallet if I remember correctly. The arcadia “arcpodsâ€￾ might work maybe two 11 watts.
Looks good, thanks for the detail on making the moss wall, hope to see it maturing.

Whoa I defo cant afford that :(

I have an arcpod but its crap IMO.Any cheaper alternatives?
 
You can get fluorescent desk lamps from ikea, they take the same 9/11w bulbs as the arcpods and they only cost £8. Now see if i had known that before christmas i wouldn't of spent £44.80 on two arcpods :rolleyes: .
 
Nice start.
On ebay you can buy some clip on lights. They are 11W each and im impressed by them. Link
 
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Nice start.
On ebay you can buy some clip on lights. They are 11W each and im impressed by them. Link

Ahh now that does look promising, would that be enough light for my setup?
 
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