Nano Planted With Shrimp (8Litres)??

[Malt_Vinegar]

Hi Guys.. First post here! Experienced fish keeper, but never nano!!

I want to run a tank at my desk at work, with no filtration, and minimal lighting.

I was looking at no more than 8 litres (20cm cubed) and the only inhabitants will be plants, perhaps a tiny shrimp (Red Cherry, or perhaps 2 Bee Shrimp)and a snail. (local wild caught, if possible)

Lighting/heating would be ambient only, no filtration, or C02 addition.

The challenging circumstances got me thinking that it would be best to use Java moss (good for shrimp +low light), and maybe another small low light happy plant (any ideas?)

JBL manado would be the substrate, and I would be able to use filtered water for water changes. I was thinking 70% weekly would be sufficient.

Any ideas to add to my plans?

This will be my first proper "nano" experience, and I wanted to get the hang of it with a fishless/filterless/heaterless tank first. I will look at using some of the tiny rasbora species in a 10-12 litre tank with a heater in the future when I have a bit more experience!

[vanscheck]

you can get those jap. moss balls (cladophora aegagropila) or anubias (any really) or floating stem plants like hornworth or egeria densa (would need light for the stem)

[Jur4ik]

with all the tech stuff it will be much more comfortable, trust me.
if you realy wanna go "techless" than have a look at wabikusa style

[Garuf]

I would never recommend a tank without a filter. It just goes against logic

[Malt_Vinegar]

I can understand why people dont like the idea of no filter... My main tank runs fully kitted out!

But surely if there are sealed environments with no filters commercially available with invert only inhabitants, it must be possible to do it safely?

The thing is going to be chocca with plants, and a few very low waste producing inhabitants.

With the small volume, larger water changes are possible. Once I have an understanding of the waste levels produced by the stocking I can balance it into a routine that keeps everything healthy.

On the flip side....Whilst I am here, i suppose i should ask what is the smallest filter available for these tanks? Perhaps if something small, un-intrusive and silent is avaialble it would be an option?

Would this sort of filter + heat mat open the possibility of some tiny rasbora inhabitants, even in an 8 litre tank?

http://www.cheappetproducts.net/NANO...-UKP47200.html

Something like this going to be ok?

[vanscheck]

well the fish wont be swimming happily and you cant really keep them in there prefered numbers..maybe 2-3 pushing it...there are plenty of micro filters (internal and external) i would recommend to you aquaclear 10 very small and complete with 3 stages of filtration, silent like death too just give the sponge a rinsing once in a while

[Malt_Vinegar]

Well, the 8 litre was never really planned to have fish in it. But looking at that filter, and the price of it... Seems like its worth having on there as it will be pretty un-obtrusive, especially if I paint the back wall black.
I can always re-use it if I decide to go a little larger and include some Rasbora Brigittina, or Galaxy rasbora.
I think u guys convinced me

Are there are clip on lights available, like the ones that clamp onto the top of the back wall? What should I search for?

[Garuf]

There are, superfish make the best ones. I actually have a nano for sale at the moment which uses an 18w superfish and they're excellent. The only issue is they're hard to come by, just keep an eye on ebay they pop up through seller anton something at a very reasonable price. Message him?

[Malt_Vinegar]

The 18w superfish is on ebay at the moment, uk seller too

Perfect!! Works out as almost the same as the HK/Thailand stuff after postage, and will be a lot quicker.

Great forum guys... Really informative and friendly! Sorted me out in but a few posts!!!

[vanscheck]

you can also try building a diy light stand if you want to save up...its easy

[Malt_Vinegar]

That is not out of the question, will standard lights be ok with the wattage/heat produced? Any examples of people doing this online, and the hardware they use?

I think I will be making a small wooden stand for as a foot for the cube, so building a light into it would not be an issue.

[vanscheck]

some standard lights are ok, because some of them tell you in the back how much kelvin the bulb has but other suck...i saw a guy here on ASW with a mega beautiful tank using 8 26round flourescent bulbs....try using the better bulbs if you can like hagen or arcadia...ill take a pic of the ''blueprint on how to connect the wires'' soon

[Malt_Vinegar]

Originally Posted by vanscheck

some standard lights are ok, because some of them tell you in the back how much kelvin the bulb has but other suck...i saw a guy here on ASW with a mega beautiful tank using 8 26round flourescent bulbs....try using the better bulbs if you can like hagen or arcadia...ill take a pic of the ''blueprint on how to connect the wires'' soon

I went for an Arcadia Arc Pod 9w in the end.
£14.95 with delivery included

Fingers crossed everything will be delivered by Friday.

[vanscheck]

good luck with the tank...post us the scaping process

[Malt_Vinegar]

Picked up a tiny bit of bogwood, pre-soaked. Came out of a display tank at the shop that was broken down the day before..

Got some slighty dried out java moss attached to it by the looks of it! I have stuck that into some water to see if it revives at all. Just about the right size for the tank if it survives

I also picked up JBL manando substrate too.

Scaping will begin next week provided everything turns up!

[Garuf]

The arcadia arc pods give a disgusting light, don't for a second believe people when they say buy fish tank specific lights it's marketing tosh. Here's a link that more than proves any light will do.
Did you get the supafish? It really is the best light on the market for nanos at the moment and it gives the nicest light by far.
James' Planted Tank - T5 Lighting On The Cheap

[Garuf]

I forgot to mention, joining Ukaps will help no end as we are uk specific and will be able to point you in the way of products more suitable. Also, I read with some concern the logic regarding the sealed ecospheres, the shrimps within those are actually incredibly malnourished, often just on the edge of surviving and the whole concept is something of a scam. Searching up info on them will soon provide you with enough information to prove other wise.
If the tank is going to be soley for shrimp then a sponge filter will suffice if you want plants to really thrive then a true external will be much more sensible since shrimp are very sensitive to changes in water quality and a good filter will safe gaurd against issues that would arise with trapped un eaten food and detritus plus rapidly rising toxins (ammonia nitrate nitrite) levels that would soon see of your shrimp.

[Malt_Vinegar]

Day 7