[mobot]

Hello everyone.
I started this aquarium about 4 weeks ago.
I wanted a small rimless aquarium for my bookshelf and i wanted to spend as little as possible and still for it to fit in my shelf.
I bought a breeder tank 18x6x6 and derimmed it. I took my time, specially when i had to clean up all the silicone, but the result payed off quite well.
I did want to spend more money on a decent light so i could not resist an archea led light 45cm...very nice and strong 4.7wt for such a small tank.
for the filter I am using a red sea nano filter, i have used them before and had good results with it.
I am not 100% sure about how much flow it creates in the tank since is on one end and the driftwood next to it has a wall effect...wondering how much flow i need in the aquarium...is it bad to have areas of no water movement?
I might consider putting another red sea nano filter on the opposite side.
For substrate i started with "laterite" then added "sera floredepot" and finished with aquarium sand.
I also have a heater: Archaea Mini Aquarium, very small and compact, keeping the water at 70F.
For plants I have Xmass moss, Micro Sword, Anubias nana and Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red'.
I also have diy co2 using a diffuser from fluval and a canister from a Hagen Nutrifin.
because of the co2 my ph is 6-6.4 range. water in the area is much harder closer to 8.
I have been cycling the tank for about 3 weeks and the ammonia is completely gone.
I do need to measure my nitrates, I brought a water sample to my pet store and it look good, but i do feel the need to get a test kit and keep better track of the results.
any suggestions for a good test kit for nitrates?
About a week and a half ago I started getting hair algae. I think it happen because i added "flourish seachem" and that probably added to much nutrients.
( it was a little difficult to come up with the right amount of ferts ) since the tank is so small i had to convert ml into drops. i end up with 20 drops for 1 ml.... and that was between 2-3 drops of flourish. twice a week. ( since i got he hair algae i stopped the ferts )
how do you guys measure to use ferts on a small aquarium?
I do a 50% water change every week... but i might have to start to do water changes more often to get red of the algae.
here are some photos of the set up:
hardscape

planting, the last shot is after 1 week.

 

[Woody0229]

Can't wait to see this grown in. If you don't mind me asking what brand of rimless is that?

 

[Neodoxa]

how do you guys measure to use ferts on a small aquarium?

I have the same tank, and I use a 5 mL syringe from Walgreens. It allows for pretty accurate measurements down to 0.2 mL.

If you go up to the pharmacy counter and ask for one, they'll usually give you one for free.

for the filter I am using a red sea nano filter, i have used them before and had good results with it.
I am not 100% sure about how much flow it creates in the tank since is on one end and the driftwood next to it has a wall effect...wondering how much flow i need in the aquarium...is it bad to have areas of no water movement?
I might consider putting another red sea nano filter on the opposite side.

I use a Hagen Elite underwater filter for my tank. It creates the perfect amount of water movement IMO. By putting it in the back corner of the tank on the side panel it circulates the water throughout the tank full circle.

I also trimmed the sponge inside of it, and put a bag of ammo carb and bio media in it. This way it becomes a pretty decent filter in itself.

Nice tank! The Deep Blue Professional tanks are awesome, IMO. Great quality for the price.

 

[manzpants92]

Nice set up! where did you find a tank with those dimensions?

 

[Yo-han]

Looks really good, only remark, it would be better if the split was not right in the middle but a little offset. This way it looks more natural. Try to look into the 'golden rule'. Simple said, the split should there where it divides the aquarium in a 3:2 ratio.