Nano Tank.

Pixel

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As I mentioned in my introduction thread, I currently have a single betta in a baby bio-orb (Jaffa). He's great at the moment, but I do realise that with only 15 litres to swim with it isn't ideal by any means: I'd like to get him in a minimum of 5 gallons really.

Anyhoo, please bear with me, this may be a long post!

After quite a bit of research I've narrowed it down to two choices- either a Dennerle nano cube (30 litres) or a ADA Mini L Cube Garden if I can get it for the right price (which I'm pretty sure isn't really realistic at all!). I'm really quite picky when it comes to tanks, but if anyone does have any similar tank suggestions I'd love to hear them! I'm fond of the 'clean lines' style which meant the arcadia arc is out as is the Fluval flora (I'm not keen on the 3d background- sorry, I'm a picky lady!). I had briefly thought about the Fluval edge but decided against that after reading reviews (on this forum actually) that bettas would have a hard time breathing unless you kept the water level below the recommended level, which really isn't the point of this tank.

Now, this is where my issues start. The Dennerle comes with a lid (with I believe to be a 4cm gap on the lid at the top for filter/co2 bits and bobs- I'd read about the gap online, but could anyone confirm that there is a gap or not?) which is one of the more important aspects of a tank as I don't want to come into the living room to a suffocating fish on the floor (although I'm sure my sheltie would LOVE the idea). However, the Ada's lid which you can order as an extra doesn't appear to have the gap- would I be correct in saying you can't install an external heater/co2 bits if you have the lid on top? I've not seen either tank in the flesh, so I'm afraid I'm pretty clueless on this matter!

Now, if the Ada doesn't have a gap then that narrows my choice down to the Dennerle. I know you can get the basic 30 litre tank for around thirty pounds without any extras, whereas it's almost one hundred for the entire 'set-up'- which I'm sure is a fantastic price for the equipment, but I'm not sure I want/need a lot of the shrimp extras that come with it. Now, having looked around recently, I'm leaning towards buying the tank alone as I'd love to use a set of lily pipes with an external heater as asthetics wise they're beautiful. I know the dennerle filter looks really quite dainty inside the tank being triangular from above, but I'm still leaning towards the external. Has anyone got any opinions on the dennerle filter? I know it uses a spray bar- would the spray bar keep the current gentle enough for a betta? Would a set of lily pipes have a gentiler current- or would it be too much to swim in? Would the external filter be superior to the Dennerle internal filter?

If so, what external filter would you suggest? I'd like something as gentle as possible for Jaffa but with enough scope to use a set of glass lily pipes - can you get different size lily pipes for different filters? Or do I need to buy a certain external filter? Also, would I need to cycle the tank from scratch, or could I use some of my bio-orb's filter medium to aid the process?

As for the heater- I currently have a 25 watt glass tube-like heater, but I may sell this with my bio-orb when I sell that. If I do- would it be wise to get a heater that's attached to the filter? Are there any heaters made specifically for nano tanks that work well? Asthetics wise again I do like the look of the fluval edge heater, but it has some dire reviews online, is it really that bad?

Also, for stocking- would I be able to put something like an apple snail in with Jaffa in the new tank? I'm planning on planting live plants in this tank, would the snail eat all the plants? I have read that apple snails need two snails to mate, if I only had the one snail, would I be able to keep the tank from being infested with snails? I don't really want any other fish in the tank (although I do think corys are lovely- but am I right thinking the tank would be too small to have a few corys?), and I know Bettas can be aggressive towards shrimp so I'm leaning towards a large snail at the moment.

Thank you all in advance!
 
I have the Dennerle nano cube (30 liters) and it's very goodquality.

https://picasaweb.google.com/darius.munteanu/Nano#

I bought the “complete plus” kit including Sulawesi Blackgravel which looks amazing.

Here's the review for this kit, which I believe it's prettyaccurate:

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2662



The lid has a round gap with 2cm diameter which I believeit's only for feeding not for any additional tubes.

If you have tubes and external filter you can let go thelid.

Anyway the lid is a pain to have it clear as it gets dirtyvery very easily.

I think I will stop using the lid soon.

The filter Dennerle is good as long as you don't overstockthe cube.

If I could choose then I would bought the XL Dennerle filterwhich is the same as mine only it has two filter elements. Advantage: Whencleaning or replacing one filter element, the other filter element stays in thefilter and is biologically active and ensures consistently high quality of theaquarium water

http://www.aquaristikshop.com/e_Produktinformationen/Dennerle-Nano-Corner-Filter-XL.htm

Apart from this I’m very please with it. It came withmaintenance kit which includes a very thin brush for cleaning the pipe and thewater holes.

The flow can be easily adjusted as you wish.

Of course an external filter has it's advantages likeeasiest to clean, usually is more efficient than the internal.

I would suggest an external Eheim like 2213 or some withadjustable flow.

You can use the old medium to speed up the cycle, also some highconcentrated bacteria like Prodibio:

http://www.petstore.com/Prodibio_BIO_DIGEST_PRO_10_vials_of_10ml_each_Biological_Additives_for_Aquariums-Prodibio-PD07114-AQASBI-vi.html

I use one vial monthly to keep my bacteria number up.



I bought Aquael Easy Heater 50W, which is the smallest Icould find 9mm x 16cm.

There are heaters attached to the outflow of the externalfilter, but more expensive.

If you go with the external filter then yes, buy an externalheater also.



Pomacea snails can eat your plants in a very short time.

I would not recommend it in a small tank. You can try somenerite snails or anentome helena.



You can put a couple of corys in the tank, they get alongwith shrimps.




Cheers!
 
Brill- thank you Darius3 for a detailed review! Your tank is beautiful- and you're right, the gravel compliments it perfectly. Do you use any Co2 in your tank?

If I was going to have any corys (I'd presume they'd have to be pygmy corys as if I remember rightly 'normal' corys can grow to around 6cm (?) ) how many would be able to go in the tank without pushing the stocking too much? Three?

I'll have to have a think about the filter a bit more- I know I'd rather have an external, but I really could do with the lid to stop the betta from making a suicidal leap out of the tank. The heater you've suggested also looks like a lovely piece of kit- and it's certainly one of the smallest heaters I've seen.

Thank you again! :D
 
I do not use CO2 in my nano, nor fertz.
However, all my plants are from my main tank which is 200l (CO2+Dennerle Deponit+S7,E15,V30 + gravel heater).
Here are some photos with it. https://picasaweb.google.com/darius.munteanu/Aquarium#
I have corydoras panda, the biggest female is 4cm and they grow very slow.
The ideal rate is two male per one female so 3 small corys would not be too much.
If you want a custom lid to fit an external filter maybe you can cut a piece of glass at a local shop shaped as you wish.
 

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