Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
This is what 2 of my other tanks look like, it's never all clean and tidy!! These are grubby from leaving them too it
Shrimp Tank / Aquarium
- Thread starter Badgers
- Start date
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
My no filter nano tank is looking awesome. Its got duck weed somehow and it gives it a really nice look. Hard to see in pictures how all the roots of the duckweed all hang down. Makes me sad that lovely Badgers is no longer here to enjoy this thread and his own tanks 
this tank has a few shrimp in it, not that I ever see them!
this tank has a few shrimp in it, not that I ever see them!
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
Ive set up this little nano tank for Lamb. Made me sad thinking about Badgers and his tanks so posting this pic in memory
Leafster
.
At the end of last year I decided to dip my toe into the world of aqua-scaping. I liked the idea of an indoor underwater garden with the added interest of creatures swimming around it.
Apart from a pond in my parents garden I have no experience of fish-keeping. At Christmas I treated myself to an 80ltr tank with a built in light, a filter and a space for a heater. So, in early January, after a bit more research, it arrived (along with soil and substrate).
After some further research and I got some rock, bogwood and then some plants and set it up.
I'd read about cycling tanks and letting them mature but wasn't really prepared for having to wait so long!
After a couple of plant failures - I'd never heard about plants 'melting' before - the addition of some larger Java ferns - it began to grow out.
Yes, I know there's algae everywhere!
I haven't done any chemistry since A level so testing the water parameters has been like being back in the classroom.
Getting the nitrite and nitrate levels down has really tested my patience. That's the reason for the floating plants. Also, when it comes to water hardness, my water company had a 'hold by beer' moment and pipes us water that's almost chewable. I guess that's the problem of having a bore hole in a chalk aquifer. As a result, I've had to start using R.O. water mixed with my tap water for the water changes. Even then, the carbonate and general hardness is still above 10.
Finally, after a month, there's no ammonia, no nitrites and the nitrates are at an acceptable level so I bought some fish yesterday!
I'm taking it slowly so I don't increase the bio-load too quickly so I've added just six Harlequin Rasboras for now.
View attachment IMG_0913-trimmed.MOV
I wasn't sure whether to post this here or on a new thread. I wish Badgers was still around to join in.
Apart from a pond in my parents garden I have no experience of fish-keeping. At Christmas I treated myself to an 80ltr tank with a built in light, a filter and a space for a heater. So, in early January, after a bit more research, it arrived (along with soil and substrate).
After some further research and I got some rock, bogwood and then some plants and set it up.
I'd read about cycling tanks and letting them mature but wasn't really prepared for having to wait so long!
After a couple of plant failures - I'd never heard about plants 'melting' before - the addition of some larger Java ferns - it began to grow out.
Yes, I know there's algae everywhere!
I haven't done any chemistry since A level so testing the water parameters has been like being back in the classroom.
Getting the nitrite and nitrate levels down has really tested my patience. That's the reason for the floating plants. Also, when it comes to water hardness, my water company had a 'hold by beer' moment and pipes us water that's almost chewable. I guess that's the problem of having a bore hole in a chalk aquifer. As a result, I've had to start using R.O. water mixed with my tap water for the water changes. Even then, the carbonate and general hardness is still above 10.
Finally, after a month, there's no ammonia, no nitrites and the nitrates are at an acceptable level so I bought some fish yesterday!
I'm taking it slowly so I don't increase the bio-load too quickly so I've added just six Harlequin Rasboras for now.View attachment IMG_0913-trimmed.MOV
I wasn't sure whether to post this here or on a new thread. I wish Badgers was still around to join in.
Leafster
.
I'm still very much a beginner so I'm still learning.
When you say small, how small? I have a 15l planted cube with 12 Chili Rasbora and a handful of Cherry Shrimp and some snails. Some people will tell you a 15l tank is too small for any fish but Chili Rasbora are absolutely tiny so I can just about get away with it. I think the suggested minimum size to allow for a variety of fish is 30l but it's still limits what you can put in it. I also have an 85l tank which is more suitable for a range of nano fish.
Before considering anything, check the pH of the water which comes out of your taps. It'll make it much easier to maintain the tank if you only keep fish and invertebrates which like that pH level. Some fish like slightly acidic conditions others prefer more alkaline.
I'd suggest a planted tank as it helps keep the eco-system stable.
Buy a decent test kit - I use the NT Labs one. You'll need to test for pH but also ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites in the water will kill fish fairly quickly. You'll also need to test the water hardness (general and carbonate hardness) Learn about the Nitrogen cycle and how it applies in closed environments like fish tanks.
Be prepared to wait a long while before adding fish to allow the tank to cycle. It could be several weeks or possibly months. You have to be patient! There's stuff you can add to the tank to speed up the process though. Effectively, what you're trying to do is get colony of bacteria to develop which turn the ammonia into nitrites and then another colony of bacteria to develop to turn the nitrites into nitrates. At that point, the plants will consume the nitrates to help keep the environment stable. It's only once these various bacterial colonies have developed and they're cycling the ammonia through to nitrates that it's safe to add fish. These bacteria will live in the filter, on the plants and in the substrate you've used to anchor the plants. Add your fish in groups and wait at least a couple of weeks before adding any more - the tank eco-system needs to adjust to the new bio-load as the fish will produce ammonia via their waste so the bacterial colonies need to grow to cope with it.
As for fish, the pH and water hardness and the tank size will determine what you can put in it. My water is slightly alkaline (pH of between 7.5 and 8) and have the Chili Rasbora in the small tank and Harlequin Rasbora and Panda Corydoras in the larger one. Cherry Shrimp seem to be happy with my pH levels too. I don't think the snails really care about the parameters.
Expect to do more maintenance on the tank than you might expect - cleaning the glass, trimming plants and water changes/top ups.
Also be wary of the combination of the fish you choose. Some will eat shrimp and snails. Other's might even eat the other fish.
Check out Maidenhead Aquatics website which has a long list of fish and what water parameters they live best in. www.fishkeeper.co.uk
There's a few Youtube channels worth watching
Fish Shop Matt - for no nonsense advice on fish and tank set ups
MD Fish Tanks and MJ Aquascaping for inspirational stuff.
When you say small, how small? I have a 15l planted cube with 12 Chili Rasbora and a handful of Cherry Shrimp and some snails. Some people will tell you a 15l tank is too small for any fish but Chili Rasbora are absolutely tiny so I can just about get away with it. I think the suggested minimum size to allow for a variety of fish is 30l but it's still limits what you can put in it. I also have an 85l tank which is more suitable for a range of nano fish.
Before considering anything, check the pH of the water which comes out of your taps. It'll make it much easier to maintain the tank if you only keep fish and invertebrates which like that pH level. Some fish like slightly acidic conditions others prefer more alkaline.
I'd suggest a planted tank as it helps keep the eco-system stable.
Buy a decent test kit - I use the NT Labs one. You'll need to test for pH but also ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites in the water will kill fish fairly quickly. You'll also need to test the water hardness (general and carbonate hardness) Learn about the Nitrogen cycle and how it applies in closed environments like fish tanks.
Be prepared to wait a long while before adding fish to allow the tank to cycle. It could be several weeks or possibly months. You have to be patient! There's stuff you can add to the tank to speed up the process though. Effectively, what you're trying to do is get colony of bacteria to develop which turn the ammonia into nitrites and then another colony of bacteria to develop to turn the nitrites into nitrates. At that point, the plants will consume the nitrates to help keep the environment stable. It's only once these various bacterial colonies have developed and they're cycling the ammonia through to nitrates that it's safe to add fish. These bacteria will live in the filter, on the plants and in the substrate you've used to anchor the plants. Add your fish in groups and wait at least a couple of weeks before adding any more - the tank eco-system needs to adjust to the new bio-load as the fish will produce ammonia via their waste so the bacterial colonies need to grow to cope with it.
As for fish, the pH and water hardness and the tank size will determine what you can put in it. My water is slightly alkaline (pH of between 7.5 and 8) and have the Chili Rasbora in the small tank and Harlequin Rasbora and Panda Corydoras in the larger one. Cherry Shrimp seem to be happy with my pH levels too. I don't think the snails really care about the parameters.
Expect to do more maintenance on the tank than you might expect - cleaning the glass, trimming plants and water changes/top ups.
Also be wary of the combination of the fish you choose. Some will eat shrimp and snails. Other's might even eat the other fish.
Check out Maidenhead Aquatics website which has a long list of fish and what water parameters they live best in. www.fishkeeper.co.uk
There's a few Youtube channels worth watching
Fish Shop Matt - for no nonsense advice on fish and tank set ups
MD Fish Tanks and MJ Aquascaping for inspirational stuff.
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neonwilderness
What would Badgers do?
Same with snails. When I had a tank with a couple of snails there were a couple of infestations. They do help with keeping the tank clean though, same with shrimp (Mr Big Shrimp
)
Leafster
.
And, to an extent, the same can be said for cherry shrimp. I started with 6 in my 85l tank but now there are too many to count! I don't consider them to be an infestation thoughSame with snails. When I had a tank with a couple of snails there were a couple of infestations. They do help with keeping the tank clean though, same with shrimp (Mr Big Shrimp
ETA: I can see how people develop a side-hustle selling cherry shrimp. My original Bloody Mary cherry shrimp were a fiver a pop! I could flog quite a few now and it wouldn't even make a dent in the population!
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