9 Gallon Planted Nano

Okies, so here's my 9 Gallon Planted Nano

Specs:

Tank: 9 Gallon Weipro Planted Nano
Lighting: 48 watts (1 x 8000k, 1 x 6800k)
Pump: 400lph (i think)
Substrate: Large and fine river sand, clay based fertiliser (cant remember which tbh)

Filter:

1st Section: Filter floss
2nd Section: Sponge
3rd Section: Bio Balls, Carbon, Phosphate Remover, Heater, 400lph powerhead (to stop detris settling)
4th Section: Return Pump

Here's some pics:

4/26/2010



4/30/2010

 

can't see any pics, please also add attachments

 

There we go

 

Looks good Fly! Where's dem fishies?

 

Looks good! I must get some plants in my 2gallon Nano as well. :wondering:

 

I'll be away in Zanzibar for the next week, once I get back i'll get some Cardinals I checked my Ammonia levels and it was sitting on 0 about a week ago, so by the time I get back, the tank "should" be fully cycled

My livestock plans are:

6 x Cardinals
1 x Dwarf Ram cichild (though I hear these guys can be pretty aggressive?! are they as destructive as other cichlids?)
1 x Algae eater
2 x Apple snails (from my old coldwater tank, my clouds go back to the petshop tomorrow )

My bioload should be pretty low but enough to feed the plants, i'm hoping to try and get the tank to take care of itself

Any suggestions here?

 

Very nice layout fly. Where are you from, maybe update your profile.
One suggestion get a pair of neon blue rams from Dolphin and leave your door open so I can come
and check if they are Ok.

 

Hey Vis, i'm from Constantia, Roodepoort

 

Those plants look very much like plants that Derek from FFW grows...

 

ok, so i took my minnows back and they turned out to be Cherry Barbs instead, I thought they didn't look like Minnows Proof that you should never believe the pet shop attendants.

Anyways so that means my livestock situation changes a bit and i'm going to try and match this tank more to their (the cherry barbs) biotope.

Any suggestions ? They come from Sri Lanka

 

How many barbs, they might get a little big.

 

Well I have 4 now, recommended group is 5. Minimum tank size is 10Gallons and I have 9. They can grow to a max length of 5cm.

Hmmmm, tricky. Like i said though, i'm not intending on having a huge bioload so they will more than likely be the only cats in the tank besides maybe an algae eater and a Betta/Dwarf Ram. I wanna focus more on the plants.

Yay? Nay?

 

Barbs might terrorize a betta with long fins.
I think your filter shoukd be more than up to the job, I think you said it was 400 L/H.

 

yeah its 400LPH minimum, I could probably chill it out a bit if I need to. Where I do have a "little" luck, is the lighting. It casts a yellow shade which works for thier habitat and that log is pumping out tannins at the moment (that's after soaking it for 2 weeks?!). So it kinda works for their biotope

Re: the Betta, that's the 2nd warning i've had on nipping but tbh, my last betta chased them around? I would like to have one center piece fish, any suggestions on something more suitable?

Plant wise im looking at Java Moss (evidently illegal ???), Crypt, Java Fern, Water Wisteria and Vallisnera.

Ive got Giant Red Bacoba (Bacopa Caroliniana - USA), Anubia (Anubias barteri 'Petite' - Africa), Monkey Tail (does anybody know what this is actually called?), Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus - Bang on) and Pygmy Chain Sword (Echinodorus tenellus, looks like??). So i'm kinda there....thinking me getting some Crypt and some Wisteria would hit the nail

 

Not the best plant guy but there are a few around here.I am mainly concentrating on moss scapes so the rest is a little greek except a few.
Java moss is not illegal, not sure who told you that.
Would like to see what I can create using only moss because they grow so easy.

Think the barbs get a little agro when bigger and they can intimidate other fish.
You got any plans for carpet plants?

Was thinking of tiger barbs sorry, cherry barbs are more timid

 

Look right now I am just starting out, I knew I wanted a planted tank but figured the best way to start was to start. I would LOVE to go the japanese route but I feel that being a novice, it would be best to go with something a little less unique and go with something a little more natural. Saying that, I would love to cover everything with plants, moss as ground cover or part ground cover would be 1st prize I can already see what I want for the tank.

As far as Java moss being illegal, the shop attendant told me so

 

Java moss is not illegal... i don't see a reason why it would be... causes no harm to the eco-system... it actually is of benefit sharp

PS: Amazingly the LPS/LFS told you that you cannot add something to your tank. hence cutting any business for themselves in that regard... either way... refrain from listening to ANYTHING that the LPS/LFS says. it's either incorrect, a money-making scheme or both...

 

Cherry Barbs should cause no problems, myself and Kattz can attest to that. There are quite a few other interesting species from Sri Lanka, also look into small rasboras.

Anyone who has Java Moss can give you the tiniest cutting and within weeks you will be struggling to see your fish through it. I've had it for ages... But I'd love to experiment with other types and I have the opportunity now that I'm setting up a 100L (its being moved but some plants are being thrown out).

 

Moss for a ground cover I would highly recommend flame moss.
Made some panels in my 3Ft and it is really starting to look good.
Gives more of a grass look then Java.

 

Yeah I like how your tank is coming along Vis. Some of your ideas are really cool. I must just source flame moss because I haven't let seen it in an LFS.