14L low-tech planted nano

I bought a tiny little tank the other day because I thought it could make a really nice addition to my computer desk if I planted it. But, I'm new to the planted tanks thing and would like some help here ^-^; I imagined that it might be easier and cheaper to do a low-tech planted setup in a small tank like this, certainly as far as lighting goes. Is a 14L a viable option at all? I was thinking of making a nice scape with a piece of driftwood, some amazon swords/java ferns in the background, java moss on the driftwood, and anubias and some carpet type plant in the front. Was thinking of stocking it with either a betta, neons, or both, but I think it may be too small for both to coexist peacefully. How should I set this up? Which plants are good for low tech setups? I know the Amazon Swords, Java Ferns, and Anubias do quite well in them.

 

Here's an idea to consider... A nano African biotope tank. Altum has African tetras - Neolebias ansorgii. They are really small and make great fish for a nano tank. I've just been watching mine and they are beautiful in a very delicate way. Some sites say they grow up to 3.5 cm, but most say 2 - 3 cm. You could have a school of 6 (possibly more) in a little tank like yours. You could add some bolbitis which is an African water fern that doesn't like to be planted in the substrate and doesn't need high light. Vallis and driftwood would provide the tetras with somewhere to hide.

 

@Jenn - I'm not sure that Neolebias ansorgii would be such a good pick - I was doing some reading and apparently they are very sensitive to water parameters. Since in very small tanks it is supposed to be hard to keep parameters stable, I would think that a hardier species is perhaps preferable. But then, I wouldn't exactly describe Neons as being particularly hardy either - I haven't kept them in years due to their tendency to die... Hmm. What about Glowlight tetras in an Amazon Biotope? I absolutely love Amazon biotopes Glowlights aren't technically from the Amazon though, but they are from South America...

 

Can opt for some white clouds maybe....

 

@wsteene - that's not a bad idea, as it would mean I wouldn't have to run a heater in the tank (or do some of the plants actually require it?)... I do find white clouds a bit on the dull side though.

 

@Zeiphex - how can you say they are dull?? I love my white clouds! I find them stunning and more active than my cardinals. Also you will not need a heater if you keep just them. If you add a betta then you will obviously need the heater. All my boy's love their white clouds. And I havent had any issues with them. They are a hardy fish who do make a stunning school. I have about 15 in my 40L with my one fighter and there has been peace all the time. They are also such friendly fish (aka love to beg for food - mine nibbles food from my fingers!)




See they are beautiful! (I love them more than my cardinals and actually swopped my neons for these guys)

 

or a male betta. my 14l betta tank is planted with heater, lights and filter.

 

@Wyvren - those are really pretty I think perhaps the specimens I've seen were lacking in colouration!

 

@Zeiphex - the ones in stores lack colour till you feed them right and also give them a bit of plants as shelter - mine look like those in the photos. I think its just the stress in the shops that make them seem so dull.

 

@Wyvren - yes that would make sense The colour on fish is normally horrible when they're stressed/not fed properly. I had just assumed that that was what they looked like haha.

Does anyone know where I can get Aquasoil for a reasonable price? I'm not even sure if my LFS would stock that kind of thing. Can Aquasoil be used as a substrate without having to put gravel over it?

 

@Zeiphex, yes, you can use Aquasoil as substrate without capping it with gravel, IMO it is recommended, just keep in mind that it does have the tendancy to decrease the hardness of water and lowers the pH, but can't tell you exactly by how much.

 

@wsteene - Thanks! I don't think my water can get any softer than it already is... I've been told that water in this area has a 0 hardness rating. The water comes out the tap at around 8.3, but rapidly falls down into being very acidic. I use Seachem Neutral Regulator with water changes to combat this.

 

What sort of substrate could I use to plant in (even if I had to cap it with gravel/pool filter sand etc) if I can't get hold of aquasoil? Could I plant straight into pool filter sand and just use ferts?

 

@Zeiphex, you can opt for the PFP capped with pool filter sand route.