Ok, Start Of 5gal Nano Tank Diary (with Piccies :p )

[nurglespuss]

hey, I bought this lil' tank for a steal brand new (fifteen quid) completed with useful transparant lid, and internal filter (which I hope to change for a bio wheel).

its dimensions:

System type Tropical freshwater aquarium
Dimensions 36 x 22 x 27cm/14" x 9" x 10
Surface area 0.08 sqm/0.86 sq ft/ inches sq in
Volume 21 l./5 gal. (5.55 US gal.)
Probable volume 19 l./5 gal. (5 US gal.)
Stocking density 5"/13cm (built up gradually)
Maximum density 10"/25cm (theoretical maximum)

The substrate is pond compost (boiled and the floaty bits removed), vermiculite/gravel mix topped with a layer of plane gravel.



I'm just thinking up a list of plants while I await my mini 25w heater, and lighting (probably an 11w arcpod). (I'm no into netting plants down)

I'm not going for CO2 in this one.

So what small, tropical, low CO2 requiring plants would you recommend? Any structural ideas for the tank set up?

Also, I would like to keep either: a Siamiese fighter, white clouds, neons or a pair of honey gouramis (because bob my bumblebee ate the mrs ones - my mistake not to be repeated), or otinulus or finally C. pygmaeus if I can find them.

2nd pic

 

[Daz CPFC]

First off great buy!! Out of the fish you'd like to keep i think White Clouds may be a bit to active for the tank size. The choice of Oto's in a tank this size would be good as they stay small and would help control any algae in the tank.

As for some plants start off with some E.Densa and any other fast growers. This is to fight the algae bloom that will most likley occur during the cycliing process. If you wanted a carpetting plant you could go for dwarf hairgrass due to having a nutrient rich substrate and in my experience D.Hairgrass dosent need vast amount of light. Other carpeting plants such as glosso probably wouldnt carpet if you only go with your said lighting.

Best of luck with the aquascape

 

[nurglespuss]

thank you very much! The dwarf hair grass sounds good. i shall look that up now, was also thinking of moss-balls as they keep the algae out of my main tank (they must outcompete I think).

 

[Daz CPFC]

thank you very much! The dwarf hair grass sounds good. i shall look that up now, was also thinking of moss-balls as they keep the algae out of my main tank (they must outcompete I think).

They do use up nutraints that algae would otherwsie use but they are slow growers. When/if you get some make sure you turn them over every now and then to keep their ball shape

Here is some information on Dwarf Hairgrass - click here

Can order it from most of the well known online plant shops

You can check my nano journal if you want to se some pictures of my DH in my tank set up to see if you think it will suit your aquascaping ideas.

 

[nurglespuss]

Thanks alot, your a great help :> I shall check it out :>

Oh yes thats a lovely tank, the dark substrate works really well. Wish a dwarf puffer could fit in my tank! They are so very cute.

Yes I think I shall plant out the fron with dwarf hair grass for definate, I would use floating plants (I have a carpet of them in my catfish tank) but TBH am fed up of removing a few netfulls every week!

 

[jayjay]

I actually setup this came tank for a neighbour, I like the layout you're going for.

What sort of floating plant is it BTW? I'm interested in getting myself some floating plants, just can't decide what type.

 

[nurglespuss]

I have a mixture of water lettuce, frog bit, riccia and salvinia, its great watching them, through the year as one slowly out competes the other, then is 're-out competed'