Starting a 2.5 nano tank... Questions and suggestions.. PLEASE - Nano Aquariums

ara35 · 08-06-2009, 08:22 AM

Hey guys,

I am starting a 2.5 gallon nano. Let me start by showing you the scape and telling you that I have 27 watts compact fluorescent (10 watts/gallon).

feel free to make suggestions on the scape!!

now for the laundry list of questions. I really need responses so feel free to answer one question, all of them, or just make a general suggestion!!!!

1. How many shrimp can I fit in a 2.5 gallon? Where can I order them from? I was hoping for 10 cherry, 10 CRS, and 10 bumblebee. Is this possible? Should I add fish? If so, what kind?

2. I was planning on just doing an HC carpet. Since theres no fish, should i do it emersed or submersed? Will I need to dose and CO2 with the amount of lighting I have?

3. Is it possible to do this filterless and without a powerhead?

4. Is DIY CO2 going to be efficient enough for the HC to grow if I do go with CO2?

ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE ANSWER ANYTHING OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS!!! THANK YOU

Brendan Redler · 08-06-2009, 11:06 AM

1) You COULD put 30 shrimp in there, but I wouldn't. If nothing else it will look really crowded. 30 shrimp will probably survive, but not comfortably. Also, CRS and Bumblebee shrimp need very clean and stable conditions...very tricky in such a small tank.

2) YES. I would strongly reccommend CO2 for such high lighting, or even scale the lighting back some. I have grown HC as both emersed and submersed, submersed has been easier to deal with for me, and there's no transition between out of water to back into water if you grow it submersed the whole time.

3) Never done it. Although I did have a situation where a filter stopped working in my 10gal shrimp tank for a month and I was too busy with school to take care of it. Everything did fine b/c it was heavily planted and I still did weekly water changes. Water changes are essential no matter what, but definitely if you're not doing a filter or powerhead.

4) Probably. But you need to have a reasonably efficient diffuser. It's not SO much of an issue because the tank is so small (i.e. it's easier to get a high CO2 conc. in less water with the same amount of CO2) but you do need to find a decent way to dissolve the CO2 in the water.

Just my $0.02

Check this one out too.

LuisVillalobos · 09-23-2009, 05:49 PM

It is necessary to keep a good filter in thee for those types of shrimp, and for the plants, small tanks go dirty FAST if they dont have a filer or even water movement. Wouldnt recomend not having a filter.

The CO2 shoudl work great for that size of tank, just need to have sufficent light for the HC. dont know the requirements but if you fulfill them and with teh co2 and maybe some kind of fertilizer it should be fine.

LuisVillalobos · 09-23-2009, 05:53 PM

This is a great place to get shrimp from, its legit and have great specimens. check them out if you want.

http://theshrimptank.com/

Tex Gal · 09-24-2009, 06:09 AM

If I were you I would get some RCS from hobbyists here on the forum. You can find the for $1 each. They are the most hardy of the ones you listed. You need to learn how to stabilize your tank and how to maintain it. You need it up and running for a while. The other shrimp varieties you mentioned are must less hardy. They are much more expensive as well. After you have your RCS doing well and multiplying then add the others.

eleontie · 10-08-2009, 04:59 PM

DIY CO2 is more than enough. The problem is that because it is hard to regulate the output, you may end up with too much at certain stages of the yeast fermentation. That will stress your shrimp a little... You should cycle the tank only with plants for a while, that amazonia will take a long time until it is safe for shrimp.