DataGuru

On the water movement. The tank is full, so the water flow isn't causing enough surface agitation to make noise. I try and minimize surface agitation in my NPTs. One thing I can think of is water movement keeps a film from forming on the surface. I'd think it would also facilitate gas exchange for the plants and fish. but I agree. it would be nice not to have to have a filter at all, especially in these smaller tanks. the filter in that little bowfront really takes up a lot of room in the tank.

You might try Endler's Livebearers. I was contemplating a small herd of endler males. They don't really even need a heater unless your office temp swings or gets below 55F. or maybe a puffer. Bettas are just so easy, and personable and beautiful.

dwalstad

[quote=Jimbo205]

My tank at work does not have a filter on it.

Why do you need water movement?
Or do you just enjoy the wonderful relaxing sound that the water makes?

And besides a Betta, what other fish can I try in a small tank without a filter?
QUOTE]

I've seen hobbyists keep a pair of Killifish in 2 gal bowls with nothing but Java moss. Another possibility are shrimp. The little red ones are awfully cute, don't get that big, and you can feed the offspring to your fish.

As to water movement, Miss Fishy, who doesn't have filters, etc in her tanks, brought up the excellent point that fish move the water around!

For big tanks that are 16+" high and/or 24+" long, I like a little water movement. It distributes heat and helps oxygenate the water, especially at night. Hobbyists with a small fish load get by fine without water movement in their tanks.

There are many ways to set up a pleasing tank.

Jimbo205

Can't you just soak up the film (when you see it) with a paper towel or napkin?

Again, I am always learning something new every day on this site, and I love it.

Thank you all.

DataGuru

Sure. that'd work.
Now, you guys have me thinking about losing the filter. The betta seems fine with the current, but it's messing up his bubble nests and they come from areas with still waters. I'll bet the afternoon sun would also cause some water movement from heated water rising.

Yea, killies would work. Everglades Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei) would also work.

ok, time for an update. it's two weeks since it was set up. It's amazing how much the najas grass has grown. It pearls when the tank is getting evening sunlight. I think it's growing faster than the hornwort! I think those two plants work great for sucking up nutrients while the other plants are playing catch up. Better than duckweed, frogbit or water lettuce cuz they don't block as much light.


I pulled out most of the floaters so we could see the other plants better. Looks like everything's growing fine. You can actually see the limnophilia now and the sunset hygro is nice and pink and growing well. A few of the larger crypt leaves melted, but the rest looks very content and the chain swords are looking great! This will be the first tank I haven't had to fight to have a foreground. Now if I can find an interesting rock or piece of driftwood, it'll be set.

Front


Side


Closer up.
I think when I have to top off the limnophilia, I'll plant the tops behind the crypts. that'll be a nice background with contrasting texture and color... Should make the crypts really stand out.

dwalstad

What a pretty tank!
I'll have to keep Najas grass in mind.

Jimbo205

Tonight while doing my grocery shopping after work, I decided to check the hobby section of my 24 hour Wal*Mart SuperStore.

The good news is that they had many attractive Vases / Fish Bowls in many very interesting shapes (tall / short / wide / narrow / round / square) at prices I can afford to purchase a variety over the warm weather in our frigid northeast (Upstate NY).

Now I need help to learn and test some new skills.

My Betta Bowl (2 gallons) at the Office is doing great! I would like to try something with similar results doing something besides the Daily Dosage Schedule.

I want to put something in the bottom layer of the (Vase) tall and then a substrate that I am familiar with either Seachem Flourite or Seachem Onyx although I am willing to try something else based on recommendations.

Following the American tradition of Capitalism and encouraging businesses that we as hobbyists, environmentalists, organic gardeners and good people trust / like / enjoy / and want to reward - I would like to know which product I should purchase to try my Natural Planted Tank (I work for a financial company - that stock market thing is starting to influence my thinking).

Please keep it very simple.
I am not a biologist or a chemist and I am lucky to have time during the day to enjoy some of the posts here. But deep thought I should save for studying for my Series 7 exam which is 7 1/2 hours long and I need to take again. It needs to be a product that I can find in a store and is reliable and predictable. My father the biologist does not visit often and I do not have the luxury of him coming by to help me study the high school sub atomic particles of my dirt.

But I will let you know that I did read the Common Abbreviations used on APC while driving to work today at Noontime and re-learned some names from High School Chemistry (see - I am trying - it has only been 20 years you know).

So which do you recommend?

Jimbo205

This post is for the Men.

If when you come home from shopping and happen to walk in the house with a new Fish Bowl (Vase) to test or use;

If your wife asks you if you brought home a new vase for flowers -

PAUSE - DON'T SAY A WORD - THINK - Pause again - and then THINK again -

Then say - Yes!!!!!

When the wife asks where the flowers are - PAUSE AGAIN - AGAIN THINK - and then THINK AGAIN -

Then say - " I need to get them." And again pause. If it is 11pm at night when you finished shopping - she might buy it.

BUT PAUSE AND THINK AND PAUSE AGAIN. There is a correct answer, just don't spout it out too quickly. You just have to think first to see if there is a 'correct' answer.

Whatever you do, do not tell her that you bought ANOTHER fishbowl to put in the house somewhere. THAT WOULD BE THE WRONG ANSWER.

Yes, you bought a vase for flowers for her.

You can purchase another one at the store tomorrow to put the fish and plants in for yourself.

JUST DON'T FORGET THE FLOWERS!!!!

Any other positive or funny suggestions from either men or women about what to say to your spouse while pursuing your hobby is welcome and encouraged.
Married 16 years and feels like 8 months. Time flies.

DataGuru

ok... it's been set up one month!! and it looks awsome!!

I pulled a BUNCH of hornwort and najas grass out today--a sandwich bag full. Here it is with no floaters. I think I'm going to prune the limnophilia and plant more behind the crypts. I think I'll also prune back the hygro. I may also see how some rotalla will do.


with some of the floaters added back


and some closer up pics






and my little manly man. :lol




I am so loving having this tank at work.

So Jimbo. any new vases to report on yet??

javalee

Betty, getting any work done these days?

The plants, the betta, the sunlight on all of them, and your photos are FANTASTIC! Man, my wimpy 1gal hex with melted crypts looks really pathetic now. I love what sunlight looks like in a NPT, and i think the fish like it too (mine seem to frolick in the area in sunlight), but I especially like seeing what a good healthy dose of sunlight does to your tank---it seems to be thriving, pearling, etc.

My 10g gets just about 30 minutes of evening light, but I have other windows with good direct light that I need to reconsider.

Jimbo, I don't know what to tell you about the soil. If you want it to be a real natural tank, you need soil and no products since the soil provides CO2 and necessary bacteria that those products won't have. I think Flagg is in New York and used Home Depot soil.?? (check his posts) so that would mean that you could trust the same thing since you're in the same area. Since you're just trying a small container, a vase, why not be brave and pick a fertilizer-free potting soil and go for it! Betty's hex is an inspiration!

DataGuru

I'm in a crunch at work, so I don't get to stare at the tank as much as I'd like, but it's sure nice to be able to take a break and watch the tank. I think I'm going to move my little 2.5 bowfront NPT up to work. I have a cambodian male betta in it who I hardly ever interact with cuz he's in the dining room here.

I'm rather surprised the crypts didn't melt. I'd had some that had gotten large potted in topsoil in the goldie tank. when I moved them into the 125 when I set it up, they melted. But they came back just fine.

Today, I planted a row of limnophilia behind the crypts and added some rotalla on the left side. I'm almost wishing I'd put the crypts in the center.

Yea, I'd move it to where it's getting more direct sunlight.