Starting A Planted Nano

[Wills]

Hi I'm setting up a tank this week to house my new Pjyama Badis when they arrive on Friday

So far its going to be mainly moss but I am looking to develop this further at a later date - dont think it will go high tec though.

My stocking will be something like

3 Pyjama Badis - 1m 2f
x amount of micro schoolers
x amount of micro loaches or anchor catfish
x amount of cherry shrimp

not sure on numbers or species yet depends on what I can find.

So questions

First - The tank is an Arc 35 and the current light is rubbish its quite old and does need replacing - I dont want an other overhead light like this again so I am thinking of making a new lid with LEDs on the inside - but I dont know if LEDs are plant safe? And if so can someone link some cheap LEDs to me please

Second - I want to keep this quite cheap hence why not doing a high tech set up I am thinking of going for either natural or black sand but are there any cheap small packs of good plant substrates?

Third - To keep all the visable equipment to a minimum I want to get a small external filter does anyone know of a good small - preferably cheap - external filter for this size tank.

Fourth - Any good plant suggestions would be really helpful - I really like the plants a few members have that have a large round leaf on one stem kind of like clovers?

Thanks for any help
Wills

 

[ian]

Hello Wills!

First - The tank is an Arc 35 and the current light is rubbish its quite old and does need replacing - I dont want an other overhead light like this again so I am thinking of making a new lid with LEDs on the inside - but I dont know if LEDs are plant safe? And if so can someone link some cheap LEDs to me please

LEDs are plants safe, Supercoley will probably advise regarding the lighting. Is it the ARC pod you have with it?

Second - I want to keep this quite cheap hence why not doing a high tech set up I am thinking of going for either natural or black sand but are there any cheap small packs of good plant substrates?

I'm using JBL Monando in my nano and that was quite cheap. It was £6 for 5l, i think you can buy 10l for abot £12. Which ain't bad for a plant susbtrate. It is a redish colour though. JBL also do a substrate called Aquabasis plus, it will need capping though, but if your after the natural look, you can always cap it with sand. Aquabasis is about £6 a bag as well.

Third - To keep all the visable equipment to a minimum I want to get a small external filter does anyone know of a good small - preferably cheap - external filter for this size tank.[/img]

Again Supercoley will probably advise again on this one. I know he's just bought a Resun one off of ebay, i haven't read a review from him yet.

Fourth - Any good plant suggestions would be really helpful - I really like the plants a few members have that have a large round leaf on one stem kind of like clovers?

the plant your on about is Hydrocotyle vert. I have never had any look with this plant, without C02. I have always found it either gets algaefied or just dies. Thats just me though. If ya going low tech, your gonna have to be looking at the low tech plants. Your normal Anubia, java fern ect ect.

make sure you get some pics up Wills!

 

[Wills]

Thanks Ian! I will be sure to look out for SuperColey with that filter as that is a fore runner for the one I want I have found them on ebay for £8!!! £8 for an external filter thats just crazy!

I will have a look for some plant friendly substrate I think - not sure what to do want it darker than what I have in main tank but not black its not really that natural - maybe if I can afford it do a mix?

Like I say for now its likley to be just a simple scape with moss but I do want to get a few other leafed plants not sure what to get though?

Wills

 

[Nick16]

personally i wouldnt recommend manado substrate. i have found it is too light and gets blow around to easy. for a nano, i would pick upa bag of ada soil, you are only going to need one bag so its not going to cost that much.

if not try eco complete (black in colour) or aquabassis plus (see zooplus website). the latter will need capping, perhaps some natural pea gravel will really aid the look of the tank.

go with a hob filter. i run two on my arc 20.

look at the ebay ones (larger ones have a double waterfall = 600lph+ usually)
i have an azoo mignon 240 and a 600lph double waterfall one.

or have a look on ebay for a small copy of a eden 501 filter. they are perfect for nano's.
or a tetratec ex700, but you are paying more. however, filter capacity is huge in comparison.

i have sponges over the inlets of my hob. a) to aid filtration and b) to stop cherry shrimps being sucked up.

in such a small tank, with no co2 or ferts, you are best off with moss, java fern, and anubias.

in my nano i have

3 male endler guppies
10 boras briggitea
5 khuli loaches
and alot of cherry shrimp
i sold my amano shrimp but they are good for nano's.

steer well clear of ottocinclus species. definately not compatible with nano's.

 

[Wills]

Hi Nick thanks for that!

My stock plans are not too different from yours really - though debating about not putting any bottom dwellers in and just a big school of micro rasbora with the badis. At the moment I am thinking about some Rummynose Rasboras and maybe some kind of Micro Loach but if I find some Hara Hara catfish they will be in there as a trio or so. Im really into biotope (ish) set ups so Ottos are a nono anyway

Im getting tempted by some plant substrates but depends on expense I think my LFS might sell some of them so I might check them out. Though I might go for just a regular set up - its more about the fish than the plants for me

Wills

 

[Nick16]

rummynoses are not a good idea. they are a schooling fish and really need a big space. people keep them in 2 foot 60l tanks, but i think they need more.
yes they can live in 2 foot tanks, but you dont get the natural schooling, much like harlequins.

stick with nano fish like micro rasboras, endlers. perhaps even keep some celestial pearl danio's to be unusual.
another option is white clouds, they are one of my favouite fish and are overlooked by many keepers.

 

[Wills]

I mean the rummynose rasbora not the rummynose tetra though actually after a bit of reading Im off them as the males can be a bit nippy.

I 100% know the limitations of this kind of tank and will be sticking to micro and pygmy species without a doubt. There are quite a few species of rasbora and danioin that would work in this tank but its just a case of if I would find them. At the same time price is an issue and so is the fact I dont want the school to detract from the Badis too much.... I'm going for a wander to a few fish shops on Saturday so see what I will find

Also this 35 liter tank should be 70/90 around xmas when we are back in our flat (see my post in the general section )

Wills

 

[elisew]

Wills, not sure if it would help but if you have a look at my 35L RCS tank here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/335647-basic-to-flourishing-pic-heavy/page__st__20

I don`t know the name of the plant that`s front right of the tank as you look at the pic,(there`s another at the back too) but if it`ll help I can probably split the plant I have there and send you some to see if it`d be any good for your tank?
There`s a fair few roots coming off of it at the mo so it may grow pretty well. I don`t dose any ferts at all in the shrimp tanks but that plant has grown loads just in a week or 2 of planting it.

 

[Wills]

I think that plant is called Penny Wort - nice plant and could work in this tank for now Im going to get the moss and the first 2 fish then Ive managed to wangle a fish day on Saturday but not sure where Im headed haha

Wills