Nano Christmas Build !

The moss ball from my previous post was a bit too much of a success. Turned into a moss piller in a matter of weeks lol. I've pulled it out and contemplating what to do with it... thinking of using it for a terrarium

 

Your tank is really stunning. I could just stare at it for days
Maybe you could try make one of those sealed systems with the moss pillar

 

Thanks Guppy !

That's exactly what I've been scheming, already been browsing through the cupboards looking for a suitable vase lol. Would like to do another low budget and low maintenance build. I think a terrarium would be perfect for both those categories

 

Starting go get creeping from the mircanthemum umbrosa in the front. Hopefully it continues to do so.

Considering all the reviews I've read on it being challenging, it's absolutely thriving. Took some time to get going but now that my inert substrate is starting to to build up some nutrients, it's taking off. Trimming it every second week to keep it maintained.

 

That is a stunning tank mate. Which fertilizers are you currently using?

 

Thanks for the compliment!

I dose 0.5ml of Flourish once a week

 

So far the plants have been more than happy with that. No deficiencies that I've seen yet

 

Wow this has really turned out awesome well done

 

Thanks for the compliment!

 

Had a look at your progress on the tank, it looks super awesome, I will use this as a guide to start my new small tank.

You state that you dose with flourish,,,which one? as my search results show plenty different one's.

 

Thanks so much for the compliment.

Yes as Whoknows said, Seachem Flourish. It's the all in one bottle. Found that it has been perfect for this tank.

 

I've tried to keep this tank as simple and low maintenance as possible. Wanted to keep the fertilizer routine in line with that too.

I only add about 0.5 ml now when I do my weekly water change.

With a good light and lower stocking levels, this seems to keep 99% of the algae at bay and the plants growing well

 

WOW, stunning, your simple aquascape showcases your talent.

I'm not sure if I missed it, what light are you using?

Will you be doing CO2?

Have you used root tabs?

 

Thank you for the kind words.

The light is called "Aluminum Alloy LED". Id never heard of them until I found this light at the shop. Was a budget option and Ive been very happy with it. Would get another one if I set up a new tank.

No CO2 on this build, a CO2 system is just out of my price range at the moment. Hopefully in the future on a new tank!

I used the root capsules from Aquatic plants SA, 6 of them placed around the tank. The plants took a while to establish, but once they got going, they havent stopped.

 

So what do you have planned for this chritmas. LOL.

Have the shrimps been breeding as well? I don't seem to have the skill to keep them alive.

 

Trying to convince myself not to set up a new tank haha! Maybe another one in the new year, could be a fun way to start the season.

The shrimp are doing great. Must be about 50 at the moment, the population seems to have stabilized there.

There's not much to them, if you've got some plants you should be golden. Most fish will snack on the shrimplets, that could potentially be the issue? What fish have you got with them ?

 

Guppies and killifish, one small yellow pleco, I forget the name.

I had about 15 shrimp, only 3 left. Everything else seems to be doing fine. I do have plants, it's a fairly new tank, about 2 months or so.

 

I think the guppies and kilifish are picking them off before they're large enough to reproduce.

I've only ever kept shrimp with CPDs, Chilli rasboras, pygmy Cory's and now the singular honey Gourami. All tiny fish and I kept the stocking low. Gives the babies more chance of survival.

Maybe set up a small shrimp only tank if you enjoy them?