Zoom's 38l Nano

I've have this idea going through my head for a while, and I've finally come to a decision regarding setting up my first Nano Tank. This is going to be a 6 month project (in my estimation), and will take a lot of time and effort to get it right.

I have a spare 1ft tank sitting packed away in my cupboard, (about 30cm x 20 x 20- at a guess), and I've seen some LOVELY Nano idea's that I'd like to put together for my tank.

This is what my idea is:
* PFP substrate capped with midnight black gravel
* Hamburg Mattenfilter (HMF) filter running the full length of the tank.
* Heater, airstone and submersible tank hidden behind the HMF sponge
* HMF sponge hidden then by a moss wall
* Gravel completely covered with Dwarf Hairgrass
* A piece of bogwood that looks like a dead tree. I would like to put some anubia onto the ends of the "branches" to make it look like a bonsai submersed. I know the common idea is moss on the branches, but I'd like to try the anubias.
* a small rock under the tree with moss growing on it.

I'd like to try either get a hollowed out rock, or hollow a rock out so that it can create a cave for future fish spawns.

I'm throwing around ideas of only having a school of neons in there, or a pair of breedng apistos or rams. Don't want a lot of fish... only one species as the plants will be the focus.

Going to feed with Professors fertz. Have standard T5 lighting above. Going to try and get more compact lighting so that I can run 2 or 3 tubes at once so that I get at least 1.5 - 2 watts per litre of lighting.

I'm going to start off with the substrate and start propgating my hairgrass this month. (time permitting). I'd like to set up the HMF, get the PFP in, as well as the gravel. Then plant some hairgrass spaced out VERY sparcly throughout the entire tank... and only fill the tank with water just to cover the roots of the grass. I.E grow the hairgrass emmersed first. As soon as the grass has spread out, I will fill the water up to just cover the grass for a few weeks, so that the grass can get use to immersion.

These ideas have all been pulled together by both Darren's HMF filter, and Vis's Pinncale Fields tank, as well as his way of propgating hair grass.

Now to get the cash together to get all the stuff.

What I'd like a appeal to the members for is PFP. I don't mind purchasing the brick, as this is fairly cheap, and even if I only use a 1/4 brick, it's ok. What I'd like to ask is if there is anyone out here in JHB (roodepoort/Sandton/Randburg area) who would be willing to sponser a few teaspoons of the chemicult.

 

I can sponsor the chemicult if you can't find any in your area I can post it to you or we can make a plan.

you planed tank is going to be something to follow Zoom can't wait to see some pics.

 

Zoom i can't help you with chemicult as i am in cape town but this idea sound realy realy awsome, please post some pics as you go along as this must be the best idea for a nano tank i have ever heard! good luck and i will be watching this very closely!

Schalk

 

Have you tried Gro shop Randburg?

 

Great Stuff!

One note though: Be very carefull of algae in these nano's especially with hairgrass. I think we misjudge the quintities (lights,ferts etc)sometimes with the smaller tanks.

What about a small unit of LED's for lighting or a simple desktop lamp? Most desktop lamps are just the perfect hight for these 1ft tanks and you get them up to 20W. They look pretty good as if they are hanging over the tank and no ballast either.

If the hairgrass grow to slow let me know and I can send you some of the ones I have to help you along.

 

Thanks Gareth. I have received a PM from F-Fish offereing some to me. Just making sure it is the right stuff, as I beleive he was using a different Chemicult

Thanks Schalk. I've actually been googling a few idea's, and been hugely motivated by some of the Nano's I've seen around the place. The PFP method, as well as the moss wall pictures from VIS are big motivation as well.

Hi Neil. Can you PM me their details if you have them? I don't mind buying it... I was just seeing if anyone has some lying around that they don't mind sponsoring because you use so little of the stuff.

Yeah, I'm concerned about the algae too. Going to just give it a bash and see how I can create the balance. I'd like to work a little closer to Dophin with regards to filtration, and get a few tips from the Professor as soon as I am up and running. Not going to bother him too much at them moment tho. Would like him to recover, and find his feet again with all the outdated requests that I am sure he has.

 

"F-Fish offereing some to me. Just making sure it is the right stuff, as I beleive he was using a different Chemicult" Yeap 6:20:30 Orchid Mixture #2 ...

 

Hey Zoom

That sounds like a GREAT idea...
Would love to see it in action.
Good luck with this...

 

Thanks Julie...

Really looking forward to this set up. Patience is going to be key.. but oh my word is patience in short supply at the moment!

 

Make it happen zoom. Waiting for pics alredy

 

HEEHEE.... Pics Pics Pics....

They'll come in time... I promise. As the moment all I have is an empty 1ft tank packed away under some junk in my cupboard. Still need my angels to grow out in their grow out tank so I can decommission that tank, and set up the Nano.

 

This could be a first for TASA.
The following is not an atempt to hi-jack the thread,just some advice:
What you are discribing,Zoom,is also known as the Dry Start Method,made popular by Tom Barr.Your first ideas are good,grow carpet plant emerged or out off water.
You can cover 1foot tank with 2pots easy,just devide grass in small clumps and plant well spaced.Keep substrate wet and prevent it from drying out by covering the tank with cling-wrap.This will also keep the humidity high in the tank.You can occasionaly spray the grass with a squirter filled with water from your other tank.
When you deside you have enough substrate coverd,you can flood/fill the tank,but you MUST do a complete/100% water change imediately and then another after that.
This will flush out all the exess nutrients that would have built up over the "dry period".The grass will have an exelent "rooting" start and will adapt to the emersed or under water condition very quickly.
You can actually grow your Anubia the same way.It will have no problems.
Again,this is not a hi-jack,just friendly advice.Good luck!

 

Thanks Rudi.

That makes a lot of sense. I was actually wondering how to go from the emmersed to immersed stage, but your advice cleared that up.

I think i need to go google this Tom Barr dude... Sounds to have made quite an impression in the planted aquarium area.

I thought of growing the anubia that wau too. Some people actually don't belive you can grow it emmersed, but Ive personally seen it grow VERY well emersed. Just not sure how well it will adapt to immersion? Because anubia is relatively easy to find, and cheap, I'll just buy it when i need it. No point in wasting valuable hair grass growing space on anubias.

Thanks for the advice again. MUCH appreciated.

 

Gro shop http://windell.co.za/nav_prod.htm

Don't see Chemicult anywhere, but they have plenty Coco Peat media

 

Luckily you are not that keen on guppy's as my endlers keep pulling my hairgrass out

 

Guys,you have to realise that all plants grown or cultivated for the aquarium trade,are grown outside the water.Anubia included.Only Vallis is a true aquatic plant and can only be grown under water.

 

Thats news to me! very interesting rudi! thank you!

 

Ive got about 25 guppy fry in my display tank in a breeding net busy growing out. Thought of using them in the Nano... but you are correct Vis. I really don't like them greatly, so no point in going through all the trouble to make the tank, and put fish in I don't like

 

Boyu makes a mini HOB filter that looked as if it would work for my 1ft so maybe have a look at that.

 

Dolphin has made a good point to me that the HMF filter running the fuill length of the tank at the back will take up a huge amound of space...

Back to the drawing board.. still want everything hidden behind something.