Nano aquarium advice?

[Quin]

I'm considering a new project of a nano aquarium or an enclosed ecosphere, likely below the 5g mark. I would love to have a shrimp tank but anything that takes up space isn't a long term option for me as college is closing in. Does anyone have any advice on setting up a smaller shrimp tank, especially about navigating a very small volume of water? If this isn't a realistic idea, please let me know

 

[HoldenOn]

I think 5 gallons is just about as small as you can go. I don't keep shrimp though. College is coming up for me as well and I'm nervous about getting a new tank as well. Would love to hear peoples suggestions.

 

[Quin]

I think 5 gallons is just about as small as you can go. I don't keep shrimp though. College is coming up for me as well and I'm nervous about getting a new tank as well. Would love to hear peoples suggestions.

I've been told that 5g is about the spot to go before you start getting extremely finicky water params. I know it's definitely not for a beginner, which was why I was hoping to learn more before really considering it.

If you make a new post I'd be happy to talk with you about college plans and fish, just @ me there

 

[Quin]

After some research and discussion I've decided this is not the right project for me right now

 

[Ch4rlie]

I have kept nano tank just for shrimp set up only.

Have to say they were 5 US gals or 20 litres and is the smallest I would go to be entirely honest.

Keeping water parameters in these small tanks can be fairly tricky but the biggest help for these sort of set up is to make the tank densely planted with live plants which helps no end in helping making the shrimps feel more secure and breed more but not so much that it will overwhelm the tank.

7.5 to 10 gals is much more comfortable to do so, obviously the larger and the more established the tank, the more likely that it will be more of a success for shrimp only set ups.

my first nano tank, 10 gals and after a few months of plants growth, had assassin snails and RCS, pretty good little tank.

Below are 2x 5 gallon / 20 litre tanks, RCS, amanos and ramshorns snails, densely planted and a good little tank set ups that I had running for about 3 years

 

[Quin]

I have kept nano tank just for shrimp set up only.

Have to say they were 5 US gals or 20 litres and is the smallest I would go to be entirely honest.

Keeping water parameters in these small tanks can be fairly tricky but the biggest help for these sort of set up is to make the tank densely planted with live plants which helps no end in helping making the shrimps feel more secure and breed more but not so much that it will overwhelm the tank.

7.5 to 10 gals is much more comfortable to do so, obviously the larger and the more established the tank, the more likely that it will be more of a success for shrimp only set ups.

my first nano tank, 10 gals and after a few months of plants growth, had assassin snails and RCS, pretty good little tank.View attachment 121647View attachment 121649View attachment 121650
Below are 2x 5 gallon / 20 litre tanks, RCS, amanos and ramshorns snails, densely planted and a good little tank set ups that I had running for about 3 years
View attachment 121651View attachment 121653

Those are very pretty tanks! I do agree that the smaller size would be too tricky for my current place in life, and if I want to tackle that challenge when I'm more established that would be a better time to do so. In the mean time I will drool over pictures of shrimp tanks and maybe consider adding 1 or 2 to my 10g betta tank (probably not though)

 

[CassCats]

Ive got my shrimp in a 2.5g, nicely planted with nutrient absorbing plants, run on sponge.

Also a 4 gallon mexican dwarf crayfish tank.

My advice: keep stock very light, use fast growing low tech plants. Avoid using plants that *need* ferts, to avoid putting too much nutrients into the water, and pay attention to your parameters.

 

[Quin]

Ive got my shrimp in a 2.5g, nicely planted with nutrient absorbing plants, run on sponge.
View attachment 121659

Also a 4 gallon mexican dwarf crayfish tank.
View attachment 121660

My advice: keep stock very light, use fast growing low tech plants. Avoid using plants that *need* ferts, to avoid putting too much nutrients into the water, and pay attention to your parameters.

So cool!! Thank you for sharing, I absolutely love that 4g aquascape, it's so cool!! Also very cool to see that it can be done!