OK, some of you might have already seen this post somewhere else (thanks for the tips there). But I figure the more info the better, and this seems like a great natural approach site.
I'm going to be shortly setting up a low-tech nano, and was hoping for some input from those who have already been there. Primarily this will be my wife's guppy tank, but I've convinced her to have some Cherry shrimp for the clean up crew. My goal is to have a natural looking attractive tank for my wife, and son with minimal maintanance for me.
Here are the specs:
Tank: 5 gallon acrylic bowfront
Light: 11 watts of T-5 @6700K
Filter: In the canopy eclipse filter with Bio-wheel.
Substrate: Plain old small (2-3mm) gravel.
Flora: Java or weeping or Christmas moss tied to manzanita driftwood. Petite Nana, pygmy chain swords for background. Possibly some baby vals.
Fauna: A few (~10) cherry shrimp to start, 3 guppies (1M to 2F) possibly some MTS hitchhikers.
I've already removed the carbon from the filter cartridge, and cut filter pads to use in the existing frame. I also plan on putting a sponge over the filter intake to keep baby shrimp where they belong.
I'm plan on placing the filter pad in my current established tank's filter (after all the media) for about a week to help seed it.
Add the plants, then followed by the shrimp, then finally the guppies.
I only plan on using Excel if the plants really look like they are suffering.
If anyone can see any problems with my plan, or if you can suggest some other lowtech plants I'd love to know.
Thanks |