This is my 4th tank, but I'm still learning. I am getting rid of a 40x40 cube, which has never felt satisying as a shape. I like low long tanks – even though this is only 60cm. This one will replace the cube. It's only 31L, but feels more, because of the form.
The DOOA has the option of adding a back wall for moss and terrarium, but I wasn't interested in that as a project and don't have the right space. Some would say that this shape of tank makes less sense if you aren't adding the extension, but I like the higher back wall.
For now I have settled on a very simple biotope set-up – biotope isn't an accurate term, but I am using it as a proxy to mean lots of leaves and branches and very few plants. I won't have a light – a relatively cheap A601 from Chihiros, via Aliexpress – for another month. I don't have a heater in yet. I'm starting slowly. The leaves are a mix of local sessile oak, a few birch, some botanicals, and a few lovely gingko.
I have a small sponge filter that is a little seeded as it's been in an existing tank for 10 days. I was thinking about a matten corner sponge, but that would be as high as the back wall. I could add a second sponge. I have a small standard rectangle 25L with only a sponge filter, for shrimps, that has done fine. With a takin style tank maybe a sponge is enough?
I've added beech twigs from an existing tank, some old bog root, and a piece of azalea from the garden. This has some pothos and other house plants draped on it. For planting the idea is to only have some hygrophila siamensis, which I got on here; and some Lilaeopsis Mauritania – I've never done well with grasses, and hope this may survive. I won't add it until I have the light. I also have some floating Brazilian hydroctyle, and a few floaters. I wanted something different from my community tank, which is heavily planted.
The 'earth' is John Innes, with some clay, zeolite, and laterite mixed in, using guesswork. I realise I have too much sand, and too much soil, given the planting will be modest, but I enjoy mixing the soil, and maybe someday I will want to plant this.
Stocking will be, firstly some shrimps, and some baby False Julii Cory, which I have. Then I may add some embers (7), possibly becoming (12), or some habrosus (7), I haven't decided. Both would come from existing tanks and if they didn't seem happy I can return them to the community tank. I'm guessing the habrosus may be happier in here, given they mostly stay low. Opinions welcome.
I am Ok to have it as shrimp only if that seems best. Possibly I will use it for growing on some baby sparkling gourami I have, or more baby Cory, as they breed quite easily with me. It's a terrible photo as the tank is just set up and the house is dark. But it was time I tried a journal and I haven't seen that many of these DOOA tanks here. I love the design. I'd prefer it if I could have it out in the open, but the shelf is all I have available.
The DOOA has the option of adding a back wall for moss and terrarium, but I wasn't interested in that as a project and don't have the right space. Some would say that this shape of tank makes less sense if you aren't adding the extension, but I like the higher back wall.
For now I have settled on a very simple biotope set-up – biotope isn't an accurate term, but I am using it as a proxy to mean lots of leaves and branches and very few plants. I won't have a light – a relatively cheap A601 from Chihiros, via Aliexpress – for another month. I don't have a heater in yet. I'm starting slowly. The leaves are a mix of local sessile oak, a few birch, some botanicals, and a few lovely gingko.
I have a small sponge filter that is a little seeded as it's been in an existing tank for 10 days. I was thinking about a matten corner sponge, but that would be as high as the back wall. I could add a second sponge. I have a small standard rectangle 25L with only a sponge filter, for shrimps, that has done fine. With a takin style tank maybe a sponge is enough?
I've added beech twigs from an existing tank, some old bog root, and a piece of azalea from the garden. This has some pothos and other house plants draped on it. For planting the idea is to only have some hygrophila siamensis, which I got on here; and some Lilaeopsis Mauritania – I've never done well with grasses, and hope this may survive. I won't add it until I have the light. I also have some floating Brazilian hydroctyle, and a few floaters. I wanted something different from my community tank, which is heavily planted.
The 'earth' is John Innes, with some clay, zeolite, and laterite mixed in, using guesswork. I realise I have too much sand, and too much soil, given the planting will be modest, but I enjoy mixing the soil, and maybe someday I will want to plant this.
Stocking will be, firstly some shrimps, and some baby False Julii Cory, which I have. Then I may add some embers (7), possibly becoming (12), or some habrosus (7), I haven't decided. Both would come from existing tanks and if they didn't seem happy I can return them to the community tank. I'm guessing the habrosus may be happier in here, given they mostly stay low. Opinions welcome.
I am Ok to have it as shrimp only if that seems best. Possibly I will use it for growing on some baby sparkling gourami I have, or more baby Cory, as they breed quite easily with me. It's a terrible photo as the tank is just set up and the house is dark. But it was time I tried a journal and I haven't seen that many of these DOOA tanks here. I love the design. I'd prefer it if I could have it out in the open, but the shelf is all I have available.