Returning to the hobby

[Henda]

I'm excited to have found a suitable place for a nano tank after a 5 year gap without fish. I had nowhere for my large tanks when I moved house a few years ago so they had to go.
I'm very keen on aquascaping and spend hours looking through Takashi Amanos book. I would love to set up a tank with a small shoal of harlequins and maybe a few shrimps.
I used to be very successful in growing plants...by filling a leg of tights with aquatic soil and burying under fine gravel. I don't know how this would work in a scaled down nano tank.
I'm on holiday at the moment and can't remember the exact measurements of the cupboard I have to play with but I think the footprint is about 40cm square.
I'm grateful for any recommendations for tanks , pros and cons.

 

[Jennet35 93]

Welcome to the forum. I only found it a few weeks ago. A very friendly place. Got nothing on nano tanks. Plenty on Amazon UK and one good aquarium maker on there. Diversa do them with lids or without. Get good reviews. Always look on all star reviews on there though, as a lot not very good for very long.

Otherwise you are left with the usual high price. well known ones.

 

[MattW55 171]

Welcome to TFF!

Aquascaping with nano tanks can be a great canvas. If your after a tank <40cm look at a 34L fluval flex. It’s an all in one kit with a built in filter and heater compartment. Aquacadabra have some options listed. They are based in Kent also.

Are you planning on using tap water? You may want to make sure the fish your thinking of are suitable to the water you put in the tank.

I’ve ended up staying clear of aquatic soil for the last few of my scapes. Mainly because of its degradation over time along with nutrient depletion. Also isn’t the best to gravel vac with if needed.

If you want some inspiration I highly recommend these channels.

https://youtube.com/@mjaquascaping?si=mvWQFFVbfUYIf6qg

https://youtube.com/@mdfishtanks?si=rc1EesbK55xXrbS5

https://youtube.com/@serpadesign?si=Wc8EciTAn5sNG7dA

 

[emeraldking35 86]

Hi there,
Welcome to TFF...
I envy those who are super in aquascaping. I myself love to watch such tanks but I'm a real dork myself when it comes to aquascaping...

 

[Helina21 2]

Hello and warm welcome back to this hobby as well as to this lovely forum!

I loved to read about your enthusiasm about aquascaping. I also enjoy such videos and have for example GreenAqua cahnnel in yourube on follow. Amazing tanks with also world top artists visiting sometimes.

For example their latest video presents this woodland type tank:


I just wanted to welcome you and am looking forward in seeing pictures and a diary of your tank!
Link your diary to your signature in future so we all can find it fast.

Also, if you are into top aquascaping, conider following one of their lead masters setups step by step as your first attempt. It's most likely safest way to proceed with tank, filter and substrate and fertilization and lightning and stocking combo. For it to work out for you. If you can't find one, GreenAqua youtube channel has several guides.

But, for a low maintenance use, I would do some things differently than what they do. For example, I would not use high fertility substrates, but instead root tablets, since I don't have added co2 in my tanks. And I would not add ANY NO3 containing ferilization to my tank, even after big water change like they do. Because the poops of my fish and shrimps will take care of it with time, plants can handle meanwhile. And I like to be able to hoover the gravel.

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Henda]

Hello and warm welcome back to this hobby as well as to this lovely forum!

I loved to read about your enthusiasm about aquascaping. I also enjoy such videos and have for example GreenAqua cahnnel in yourube on follow. Amazing tanks with also world top artists visiting sometimes.

For example their latest video presents this woodland type tank:


I just wanted to welcome you and am looking forward in seeing pictures and a diary of your tank!
Link your diary to your signature in future so we all can find it fast.

Also, if you are into top aquascaping, conider following one of their lead masters setups step by step as your first attempt. It's most likely safest way to proceed with tank, filter and substrate and fertilization and lightning and stocking combo. For it to work out for you. If you can't find one, GreenAqua youtube channel has several guides.

But, for a low maintenance use, I would do some things differently than what they do. For example, I would not use high fertility substrates, but instead root tablets, since I don't have added co2 in my tanks. And I would not add ANY NO2 containing ferilization to my tank, even after big water change like they do. Because the poops of my fish and shrimps will take care of it with time, plants can handle meanwhile. And I like to be able to hoover the gravel.

Welcome to the hobby!

Thank you, great information...I'll certain have a look at the green aqua channel.