Hi, so I have never had a planted tank before ( I have had saltwater) and I want to create a tank similar to the one in the image, however I want mine to have a carpet of plantss/grass looking stuff, my question is, do I need a filter ? I will potentially put 2 tiny tetras in, but for the first few moth I won’t have fish. Also, is it as simple as just putting substrate in the bottom planting a few plants filling it up with water, and just leaving the light on for a few hours a day ?, and finally, if anyone has any starter tank kit recommendations that would be great.
Not sure what to call this
- Thread starter FKIDN
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A filter will make life easier, depending where you are Supafish is a relatively inexpensive brand that sells nice nano tanks. Returned the tetra, they need to be in shoals so you'd need more than two, and you'll be influenced by the size of the tank you buy as to how many fish you can keep in there.
You'll need to cycle the tank before adding fish so not quite as simple as just leaving it running. This link gives lots of info on how to cycle your tank before adding fish:
www.fishforums.net
You'll need to cycle the tank before adding fish so not quite as simple as just leaving it running. This link gives lots of info on how to cycle your tank before adding fish:
Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!
Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...
www.fishforums.net
That aquarium is not a suitable environment for tetras. Just because someone has done it, does not been it should be done.
Have you done any research of your own on proper tetra care?
You are talking about putting living creatures in a glass box. This is going to take effort on your part to make their life as good as possible.
Have you done any research of your own on proper tetra care?
You are talking about putting living creatures in a glass box. This is going to take effort on your part to make their life as good as possible.
I currently own tetras and many other fish, so yes I have done research. I did also state I wasn’t going to necessarily be putting fish in here, AND my tetras were rewatched from a horrible tank, so I’m not saying it’s right but it will still be a better life than what they had. But I will take into account what you said, what exactly is it about that tank that is inhabitable for them ? And like I said it is not going to be exactly the same
Some kind of water movement is always better even for a plant only tank. It will make sure that the water is not stagnant, distribute nutrients and prevent algae.
Even without fish, beneficial bacteria will still start to grow in the filter, It will help with water quality and reduce water changes.
Even without fish, beneficial bacteria will still start to grow in the filter, It will help with water quality and reduce water changes.
Thank you, that makes sense now I think about it, do you have any filter recommendations that work well but are also wouldn’t look bad with the all glass tank ?
If it's really heavily planted you might be able to get away without a filter, but as @MaloK Said a filter will help prevent things getting stagnant. I'm not really an expert with filters so I'll leave it to others to make recommendations! If you go down the plant only route I'd just check parameters every so often and only do water changes as needed.
What is the size of the tank ?
I haven’t got a tank in mind yet tbh, will probably only be 10-20gallin long
Ok, So you are going to be able to host more than plants !
As far as filter suggestion goes, if for plants only I would go with one of the Larger Hygger Sponge filter. If for plant and fish I would go with a medium size Aquaclear + a smaller sponge filter.
As far as filter suggestion goes, if for plants only I would go with one of the Larger Hygger Sponge filter. If for plant and fish I would go with a medium size Aquaclear + a smaller sponge filter.
can I offer the suggestion of an old fashioned under gravel filter plate ... just without the gravel, covered with your low level plants... it will be easier to make disappear, like it sounds like what you are after...
Ok, So you are going to be able to host more than plants !
As far as filter suggestion goes, if for plants only I would go with one of the Larger Hygger Sponge filter. If for plant and fish I would go with a medium size Aquaclear + a smaller sponge filter.
I have looked into them and they look good so thank you for the suggestion, one more quick question, do I need to put RO water into the tank (like with a saltwater aquarium) or, can I put like a de chlorine in the water and then put it in th tank ?
plants need a lot of the minerals that RO pulls out... I use RO for my fish tanks, the plant choices are greatly reduced unless fertilizers are used ( I don't personally use any fertilizers ) other than the fish waste produced... but depending on the plants chosen you'll likely have to supplement the water... if you were doing this scientifically starting with RO would make calculating mineral percentages easier, but dechlorinated tap water is going to have beneficial minerals...
Hi, I appreciate the response, just I’m getting slightly confused, may sound stupid, but is it possible for you to dumb it down a bit for me please
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