Llj's 8g Nano Nightmare!

[Themuleous]

Interesting Llj, I've not noticed anything similar on my low light 20G (1WPG) and I pump CO2 into that like there is no tomorrow, but you're early investigations seem promising and it could be different for smaller tanks, keep us posted

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Interesting Llj, I've not noticed anything similar on my low light 20G (1WPG) and I pump CO2 into that like there is no tomorrow, but you're early investigations seem promising and it could be different for smaller tanks, keep us posted

Sam

Ah, but your 20g is not a nano. I cram CO2 into my 1.4WPG 20g too. Hmmm, another reason why the nano article is going to help so much? Will keep you posted. This may become a TFF Newsletter article.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh will try and add something in about CO2 in nanos to the article

 

[lljdma06]

Right now, this is my favorite tank. I added three "dwarf" sunburst platies on Friday, and they are doing pretty well. Very cute fish, perfect for smaller tanks. Water changes are much easier on this one too. Of course this could all change tomorrow.

No CO2 has worked very well for this tank and I've even stopped dosing Excel. It's now just 2mL of Flourish 1-2x a week.

llj

EDIT: Platy picture. I know you like pictures. Sorry for the delay.



llj

 

[lljdma06]

I added two more platies, two females, and now the stocking for this tank is done. Just have to sit back and let platies be platies.

llj

 

[Puffer punk]

tank look good (thumb) but i think it would less messy, if u took tht peice of bog wood ruiens the tank imo ( but that jus me )
( your stem plants are lovley!!!)
Darryle

 

[lljdma06]

tank look good (thumb) but i think it would less messy, if u took tht peice of bog wood ruiens the tank imo ( but that jus me )
( your stem plants are lovley!!!)
Darryle

I removed one piece earlier for a pico tank, and the other pieces are so overun with moss and anubias right now, you can't even see them anymore. Messy is actually a look I go for. Although the "Jungle look" is a euphemism for "messy". Looks more "natural" IMO.

I like my stem plants too, thank you for complementing them. The rotala really surprised me. Didn't think it would do well without CO2, but it has proven to be super hardy. I highly recommend it to anyone trying a low-tech nano.

llj

 

[zig]

I added two more platies, two females, and now the stocking for this tank is done. Just have to sit back and let platies be platies.

llj

Good luck with the platies!!

Platies will definatly be platies, shortly you will need lots of extra tanks, and no im not exaggerating.

The good news is they dont eat plants!

 

[lljdma06]

Good luck with the platies!!

Platies will definatly be platies, shortly you will need lots of extra tanks, and no im not exaggerating.

The good news is they dont eat plants!

I have extra tanks, so housing growing babies won't be a problem. It's great that platies don't eat plants, Zig.

An updated picture.



I am amazed with the results considering I no longer add CO2 to this tank. I have a little bit of green algae and brown algae on the glass on one side of the aquarium, but the platies make short work of that stuff. Hopefully my luck will hold.

 

[lljdma06]

It's been over a month since I've updated this thread with new photos. The tank is doing pretty well. Very little algae. The water sprite was getting huge, so it was moved to my 36g where it can grow as tall as it wants pretty much. I also removed the egeria from this tank, thinned out the HM, divided my petite nana and added some A. reineckii to the back right. I think it'll look nice with the bright green of the HM, and I've always wanted to see how A. reineckkii will do in a tank without CO2. So far so good. Platies are still doing very well. I have seen signs of pregnancy and then delivery, but no fry. Either they are taken up into the filter or promptly eaten. I change the water 2x a week, and don't add anything with regard to ferts. I'm debating as to whether or not to dose a little trace, but the plants look good, so I don't want to rock the boat.

A picture for you to enjoy.

If this tank continues along it's present course, I'll add it to the member's section when it turns six months old as an example of a low-maintenance nano. I'd like to perhaps add a solitary ram to the livestock, but I'm not sure.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for looking,

llj

 

[wei0204]

It is definitely a beautiful one... The water is so clear...

 

[Themuleous]

Gorgeous tank Llj you really have a way with low light tanks, superb. Not 100% sure about the java moss(?) on the front left and have you thought about a smaller crypt species along the front? Other than that I can honestly say I love it, would be proud to have this one in my house great terrace effect with the crypts, HM and rotala I think it is.

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Gorgeous tank Llj you really have a way with low light tanks, superb. Not 100% sure about the java moss(?) on the front left and have you thought about a smaller crypt species along the front? Other than that I can honestly say I love it, would be proud to have this one in my house great terrace effect with the crypts, HM and rotala I think it is.

Sam

That's a big complement, Sam. Thanks. This tank is pretty much a no-brainer now. Those are small crypt species. It's just for some reason, they feel compelled to grow in my tanks. I actually divided the anubia and moss on the left and opted for two smaller pieces of wood and trimmed the moss. Not sure I quite like it yet, but I'll give it a little time. I like the anubias, just maybe not the moss right now. I have so little hardscape now, that I've thought about going Dutch with this one, or at least trying to. I think I would need one more stemplant. What do you think? It would be a tiny Dutch, and low-light, but it's so close already with the A. reineckii, HM, rotala, and the terracing that maybe it would only need a little tweaking.I wonder what others would think.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Certainly worth a try, just wonder if you've got one or two too many species in there? Although I guess grouping them a bit more purposefully might help with that. To be honest I don't really know much about Dutch style scapes so can't really help!

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Certainly worth a try, just wonder if you've got one or two too many species in there? Although I guess grouping them a bit more purposefully might help with that. To be honest I don't really know much about Dutch style scapes so can't really help!

Sam

Oh, that's ok Sam. You've never really kept Dutch. It was still good of you to offer advice. I really don't have that many species, I removed the egeria and the water sprite. I kind of lump the crypts as just crypts. As they grow, I tend to forget what species they are. They turn into large crypts and small crypts. I'm thinking things might come into play for a more Dutch scape if I removed the very large crypt on the left and then did a pattern arrangement with the rotala and the A. reineckii, like a height downgrade and a switch. I also have more HM to supplement. I can also borrow some smaller species from other tanks.

Anybody else have any opinions?

llj

Whoops! Can't ask any opinions if I don't provide a picture.