Nano Christmas Build !

Hi all!

After a some major set backs with my nano marine tank last year due to load shedding, I had to shut it down and sell off what was left. I've been out of the fish keeping hobby for quite a while

Been saving every spare cent ( I'm a student so we don't have many cents laying around lol ), since shutting down the marine tank, and now I'm finally in a position to start up a tank again !

After some browsing and help from @T.Guppy, I settled on a little nano. Friendly on the budget and low maintenance for when varsity starts up again next year.

Welcome along on my journey!

 

This was the marine tank in its prime. A lot cheaper and easier than most expect. This was a simple all in one tank with some T5 tubes and some filter media in the back. Really enjoyed it

 

The tank is 30cm by 23cm by 23cm.
Got the background up and started with the substrate and rocks

 

Glad you found one! What's your plans for it? Just planted? with some shrimp or fish?

 

A pair of apistos would be legend in there

 

I'm still playing around with ideas for stocking. I've kept most of the little nano fish before. So I'd be interested in finding something unique/new.

Definitely loading it up with plants, not in a rush to stock fish or inverts

 

Thanks Reedfish.

If there's a good saltwater community around you, you can get simple corals that are easy to keep for a good price.

Take the jump one of these days, there's so much to enjoy and learn !

 

Played around with some wood last night and I'm quite happy with the out come. The tank is starting to come together

 

I feel your pain
Came down to PE for work and staying with my mom while i am away from PTA and they have two beautiful marine setups going and i now i feel the need to get rid of my peacocks and start a reef tank ...

 

I like the hardscape placement. Are you going with or without co2 in here ?

 

It really is looking great!

What substrate are you using?

ITo fish, I think the tank may be too small for apistos, though I'm not familiar with them so may be wrong.

I have the same size tank and I recently got some pygmy cories from mcmerwe and I'm absolutely in love with them. They're quite busy little guys which makes it entertaining to watch. I have them and a butt load of shrimp. If you decide to go with shrimp you're welcome to have some of mine. I was also considering getting a betta along with the pygmies, so that's also an idea for you

 

Thanks!
No CO2 planned for right now, maybe into the future when the budget allows for it

 

Thanks T.Guppy! Very happy with the progress so far.

Substrates are cheap inert sand/ gravel that I picked up from pet masters. I'll pop in some root tabs where I'm planning on planting and see how it goes.

As for fish, I'm definitely going with a school of pygmy Cories! They are very entertaining in a small tank as you said.

Was looking into CPDs to add some movement too. Can't beat those colours and details in a small fish

 

Got myself a nice little light and a hang on the back filter, it'll save some space in the tank and help get some water movement.

Need to add some detail stones around the base of the rocks and then we should be set for water! Woo-hoo !

 

Stay tuned!

 

Nanos are fantastic until it comes to planting lol. Those tight spaces are never fun to work in.

Very happy with the results.
Moved the filter to give my background stems a chance to root well. Sorry its ruining the picture.

Got some rotala on the left, bacopa ( slouched over and not yet upright ) in the middle and then rotala rotundifolia "orange juice" right of center. Then a crypt affinis "red" on the right.

Midground I've got some anubias nana bonsai, buce alamanda.

Foreground is mircanthemum umbrosa and lilaeopsis brasiliensis.