This is the starter thread for my journey into the world of "true" nano planted tanks. My 7 gallon is small, but this is even more fun. 
It is a 2.5AGA aquarium with a DIY made hood and base. It isn't the greatest job, but not bad for a first attempt. I have a 13watt AH supply lighting kit in there to give me all the night I should be needing.
I have a .5" layer of flourite covered by an inch or so of tahitian moon sand. All the rocks are petrified wood and that's some african mopani wood I had left over from my old tank
My goals for this project were:
•Under $50 in setup costs (not including plants)
• Viewable on 3 Sides
So far I have spent $8 on the tank, and $26 on the lighting. Add in $7 for the rocks and another $7 for the Azoo palm filter (on its way) and I have suceeded in that goal!
The moonsand, flourite and wood all were free as they were for other projects. Hood was made for ~$20 as well.
Here are the pics:
My planting plans consist of a dwarf hairgrass (parvula) foreground under the wood. I am adding Xmas moss to the wood and the back of the tank, and petite nana growing near the rocks, as well as on top of them.
I'm considering planting cryps (willisi or lots of parva) on the upper terrace as well, but I am wondering how they would survive in the inert sand. Anyone with any advice?
I have cherry shrimps on the way for my 7 gallon, and a pair of endlers waiting for the completion of the 2.5 as well. This will be a fun project to watch grow. I plan on ordering plants within the next coupe days, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. More pics and postings to come as things start coming in!
It is a 2.5AGA aquarium with a DIY made hood and base. It isn't the greatest job, but not bad for a first attempt. I have a 13watt AH supply lighting kit in there to give me all the night I should be needing.
I have a .5" layer of flourite covered by an inch or so of tahitian moon sand. All the rocks are petrified wood and that's some african mopani wood I had left over from my old tank
My goals for this project were:
•Under $50 in setup costs (not including plants)
• Viewable on 3 Sides
So far I have spent $8 on the tank, and $26 on the lighting. Add in $7 for the rocks and another $7 for the Azoo palm filter (on its way) and I have suceeded in that goal!
The moonsand, flourite and wood all were free as they were for other projects. Hood was made for ~$20 as well.
Here are the pics:




My planting plans consist of a dwarf hairgrass (parvula) foreground under the wood. I am adding Xmas moss to the wood and the back of the tank, and petite nana growing near the rocks, as well as on top of them.
I'm considering planting cryps (willisi or lots of parva) on the upper terrace as well, but I am wondering how they would survive in the inert sand. Anyone with any advice?
I have cherry shrimps on the way for my 7 gallon, and a pair of endlers waiting for the completion of the 2.5 as well. This will be a fun project to watch grow. I plan on ordering plants within the next coupe days, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. More pics and postings to come as things start coming in!