1st Tank-New Member

Hi, Names Bilaal,

Based on the East rand, Have set up my first tank after many years of wanting to do it.

Doesn't look to special now just have some random drift wood and rocks. Tank has been running for 3 weeks, but had a seeded filter from the previous owner.

Weekly water tests are perfect.

Specs

• 60litre Tank
• some inert black substrate.
• beginner filter
• sponge filter and air pump purchased it new so i can get rid of the old filter
• basic beginner heater

Plants

• Java moss
• subwassertang
• Rotala
• hydrocotle
• pearlweed
• bacopa
• ludwigia
• Duckweed

Livestock

• 10 Neo 24k Shrimp
• 2 amano
• 1 nerite snail.
• Plan to get 8 Chili or harlequin rasboras and 20 Yellow shrimp

End goal

• Trying to have only water column feeders with no CO2 low tech
• waiting for stem plants to reach the top and then cut and propagate
• ultra green tank sort of a nature vibe for my homer office, to take my mind and eyes of work.
• More plants, try to get cheap clippings or off cuts where i can, if all the plants fail hoping to just let the pearlweed grow and do its thing
• end goal would be low maintenance self sustaining tank, occasional feeding and light bio load
• remove all hardscape, find 1 piece of large driftwood to span the length of the tank and call it a day.

[Edit]- Forgot to add Dosing
Flourish advance and Scape complete daily till plants take up and start growing well

open to any advise, feedback , criticism

Is duckweed good to have or the cons outweigh the pros?
are there affordable alternative floating plants in SA

 

ty so Much

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Very nice first tank!

You've made some really good plant choices for a low tech system.

The duckweed will be perfect in the early stages of your tank while everything is establishing and finding its natural balance. You don't have any hardscape or plants at the surface while could make remove an issue later on. I say leave it in, especially for the first couple months

 

Thanks for the feedback, will keep the duckweed,

Hoping to snatch some bluebolts when they up again