I’ve had a lot of good advice from this forum over since I started keeping planted tanks.
I’m looking to create a low tech, low light, relatively low maintenance tank. I have the latest edition of Diana Walstad’s book and (possibly still have the original hardcopy somewhere too.) I’m also reading ‘An alternative aquarium: A robust habitat‘. I know both books are a bit dated. What other books do you consider required reading for someone without a scientific background who is looking to set up a simple planted tank? I want to promote natural fish behaviours in a planted environment rather than an amazingly artistic scape. I know there are some incredible books out there with beautiful and inspirational photos of high level scapes but my options will be limited by my choice to have low light, no CO2 and a dirted tank and I’m OK with that as I’ve tried the high maintenance options and they weren’t for me. I’ve tried big and small tanks, high and low light, silly amounts of co2 and none at all.
I’ve been experimenting a bit with nano setups and think I’m going to go for a 300-350l open topped tank with a dimmable fluval plant light (as I already have one). The light will raised above the tank on acrylic risers to minimise dark spots as I found it didn’t reach all areas of my previous tank.
I’ll have a multi level budget friendly substrate. Larger gravel at the base of the tank for height topped with compost (possibly in mesh bags), fine gravel and then sand. I’ve had amazing plant growth and red plants under low light without C02 in my experimental tanks.
Filtration hasn’t been decided yet as my current redundant filters options (FX4 and FX6) aren’t small fish and shrimp friendly. I know adding Eheim prefilters on the intake can help but I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ll need a heavy duty filter with the right setup. My 500l tank was overfiltered and under stocked. It had two filters and I cleaned one every 6 months.
I’m thinking of functional planting in a jungle/nature aquarium style rather than a fancy scape. I want plants to enhance the health and behaviour of the fish.
I’m thinking of fast growing stem and floating plants to absorb nutrients and epyphytes on wood in shaded areas to maximise plant mass with 70-80% of the substrate planted. Maybe some houseplants and hardier aquatic plants above the water line too if my current experiments work for me.
The remaining substrate will have sand, leaf litter, pods and botanicals for corys and shrimp. The tank may also be ‘seeded’ with freshwater live foods before fish are added and supplemented regularly; another limiting factor for mechanical filtration.
The tank will be home to ember tetras, ottos and pygmy corys if I can work out a solution for housing my aging diamond tetras and female Congo tetras. I’d like lots of small fish for movement with minimal bio load.
Thanks
I’m looking to create a low tech, low light, relatively low maintenance tank. I have the latest edition of Diana Walstad’s book and (possibly still have the original hardcopy somewhere too.) I’m also reading ‘An alternative aquarium: A robust habitat‘. I know both books are a bit dated. What other books do you consider required reading for someone without a scientific background who is looking to set up a simple planted tank? I want to promote natural fish behaviours in a planted environment rather than an amazingly artistic scape. I know there are some incredible books out there with beautiful and inspirational photos of high level scapes but my options will be limited by my choice to have low light, no CO2 and a dirted tank and I’m OK with that as I’ve tried the high maintenance options and they weren’t for me. I’ve tried big and small tanks, high and low light, silly amounts of co2 and none at all.
I’ve been experimenting a bit with nano setups and think I’m going to go for a 300-350l open topped tank with a dimmable fluval plant light (as I already have one). The light will raised above the tank on acrylic risers to minimise dark spots as I found it didn’t reach all areas of my previous tank.
I’ll have a multi level budget friendly substrate. Larger gravel at the base of the tank for height topped with compost (possibly in mesh bags), fine gravel and then sand. I’ve had amazing plant growth and red plants under low light without C02 in my experimental tanks.
Filtration hasn’t been decided yet as my current redundant filters options (FX4 and FX6) aren’t small fish and shrimp friendly. I know adding Eheim prefilters on the intake can help but I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ll need a heavy duty filter with the right setup. My 500l tank was overfiltered and under stocked. It had two filters and I cleaned one every 6 months.
I’m thinking of functional planting in a jungle/nature aquarium style rather than a fancy scape. I want plants to enhance the health and behaviour of the fish.
I’m thinking of fast growing stem and floating plants to absorb nutrients and epyphytes on wood in shaded areas to maximise plant mass with 70-80% of the substrate planted. Maybe some houseplants and hardier aquatic plants above the water line too if my current experiments work for me.
The remaining substrate will have sand, leaf litter, pods and botanicals for corys and shrimp. The tank may also be ‘seeded’ with freshwater live foods before fish are added and supplemented regularly; another limiting factor for mechanical filtration.
The tank will be home to ember tetras, ottos and pygmy corys if I can work out a solution for housing my aging diamond tetras and female Congo tetras. I’d like lots of small fish for movement with minimal bio load.
Thanks
