shrim and planted tank

Oi_itz_blake96

hello I have made heaps of topics about this, but I have really busy with work!! so now it time to get started?
The Plans
* make a really nice looking tank
* have one breeding tank and one display tanks
* make it as cheap as possible

What I have
* a 2ftx16inx16in and a 2ftx15x15 ( breeding tank)
* a t5 Light holder

What I think I need
* a filter not sure what one to go with? s
* soil??? not sure what the best one is??

Other
Iv only ever keeped angle fish for 4+ years now and I want to make it less maintenance and possible?

Im going to start draining my 2ft's this weakend so please help me out???

Thanks Blake

Doug

Righto, Shrimp tanks are the bomb! They are so simple if you set them up right and follow a few simple tips.

The cheap side of things will limit it a bit as some of the really nice stuff is expensive but there are some things to make it cheap to run.

In terms of plants cos the tank is shallow you can go with pretty much anything that doesnt need CO2. Lots of options there. Things that are great for shrimp though is moss. they will keep it nice and clean and more importantly it is a great spot for the mumma shrimp to drop off the babies.

Filters are easy fro shrimp tanks. As you are not looking for current and the bioload is nice and low you dont even need a power filter. I used to use a pair of corner filters.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=corner+filter&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

I ditched all the sponge stuff and had them filled with ceramic rings. nice good flow and great biological filtration. A pair in a 2ft tank will do the job easy. I like the corner filters over the sponge filters as you can put any media in them you want and second they do not bubble anywhere near as violently due to the airstone in the base. Much quieter

Soil...soil soil soil. this is where every man and his dog has a thought. I guess it depends on what you are wanting from the plants. 80% of plants you can buy will be fine in any sort of substrate. I would not use 'soil' though, it can be done and has been shown to have great results but it can go wrong real fast! If you are wanting some amazing plant growth but dont want to sell your first born child for 30 grams of odd looking rocks then check out



That was my old tank in my office at uni. the substrate is a layer of propagating sand from bunnings covered by silica sand. As you can see the lotus was loving it!

I've just started another shrimp tank. It is still early days yet and there are a few more additions to make but you get the idea

Oi_itz_blake96

ok thanks, well im really not a fan of the corner filter's so is there any small type of external filters! I could use?

Doug

yeah, as you can see my new one has a power filter in it. Any small power filter will do the trick. just dont get one that is too strong as the shrimp do not like too mcuh current

Heintz.G

If you don't want anything in your tank, you could always go for hang on filter, click the link.
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/hang_on_filters.php

Or even a top filter click the link.
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/top_filters.php

Mooo

A small Hang On Back will work well also, I have a sponge and a HOB on my shrimp tank
Here are a few of mine I've kept, Last one is a pic taken just last night

This one has a little elite brand internal and a sponge.


This one has a HOB AquaClear brand and a sponge

Oi_itz_blake96

Wow Mooo I love the last pic? do you have co2? with that

and I would go Hang on filter but I hate the noise they make! have any of you used the Top Filters? do they make much noise

thanks for all the feed back

Frayk

I had a hang-on filter once,did a good job,but no good for snails,ive found anyway 8-}

Mooo

No noise with a "Aquaclear" hob, I love mine
Trust me I've tried n tested many
& Yes Blake, I have a DIY Co2 system in all my tanks

Mooo

http://s279.photobucket.com/user/Mooo/media/Videos/ShrimpJuly2013.mp4.html

Heintz.G

Excellent video and one good looking tank, Mooo :-bd

Oi_itz_blake96

thanks moo so I might buy one of those HOB! do u have a pic of that tank face on??
what gravel are u using?


Thank you so much

Oi_itz_blake96

oh wait I see it the tank in the last pic already that's look nice!

Mooo

;;) Thank You
The gravel is small clay balls(I think specifically for shrimp tanks), and a small brown hard gravel, both very small

TallTree01

Nice tank moo and good example of the filters noise.
Your voice is very soothing. >-

Mooo

;;) Thanks TT >- )
Oh & Blake, If you buy one of the Aquaclear, The instructions for media say, carbon and the sponge supplied, placement of sponge they say to put at the bottom, I toss the carbon, and use media noodles in the bottom, about 2 handfuls, enough so there is room on top of media for the yellow sponge provided This arangment has worked best for my 80L, better bio filtration in both media and the sponge, The sponge up top of media, also helps reduce the flow
Don't ignore the fact I have a secondary filter in there also, Maily as a back up but it also ads to the clarity and bio communities

Oi_itz_blake96

ok thanks moo,
so will I just be right with a HOB? ant not the other filter? and where can I get some gravel/ soil from? I don't know what im looking for thanks

Mooo

I seriously would add another filter in there

Look online for shrimp clay gravel
http://www.aquaticsupplies.com.au/seachem-flourite-red-fertile-substrate-7kg.html

Oi_itz_blake96

ok thanks ill go to my LFS tomorrow afte I finish work and see if they have gavel! ok so I need to get back on track I might make a journal soon! so I think I might have to go for a HOB and pray it doesn't make allot of noise " light sleeper"

ALSO ABOUT LIGHT'S
well I have a standed light that hold globes will that be good for the plants to grow?

CO2
what is the DIY for co2? is it worth having? what do I need??

and also moo what about if I get a little bit bigger filter?? And is that gravel good to grow plants for ground cover??

Thank For All Your Help Guy's I'm Abit Of A Noob On Planted / Shrimp Tanks

Mooo

Lighting
You will get by with flouros But ellecy can be reduced dramatically with LED Lights, Mine is running a LED light.. Cost me $70, from ebay
DIY Co2
ie (Do It Yourself)
Common varieties of plants will grow ok without it,
But for maximun growth, Co2 is the best.
You could use liquid ferts( dose rates can be tricky), but with DIY Co2, I don't need to add any ferts..
If you decide to use Co2, You need to research it, to get a understanding of it's use & the do's & don'ts.
Dougie is our Co2 guru
Gravel.... yes it will grow plants
If you got a bigger filter, your flow will be more than te shrimp can swim against..shrimp don't like that, You can see from the video, I don't have much current,
This is the one I use
theaquariumshop.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=372&name=AquaClear%20Aquarium%20Hang%20On%20Filter%2050

Doug

:-B ahhh, yes CO2...:D

Read this young padiwan

http://forum.livefish.com.au/discussion/comment/31325/#Comment_31325

Oi_itz_blake96

hey guy's this tank as can a long way haha [IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/ri84fs.jpg[/IMG]

TallTree01

=D> Good job! Looks very green!

Mooo

Why is the water green? Looks like an algae bloom How much light do you give it?
Maybe lessen the length of light

Doug

indeed, looks like the classic rookie mistake. Longer light does not equal more intense light. CO2 tanks require at least twin, if not quad fluros. LED lights are also good, but not the cheap ones

Oi_itz_blake96

Yeah thanks guy's I took that pic when I just set if up its got no co2 I don't have the light on at all but it's new set up for 3 days now and the water is still green?

Also yeah I brought a big 4ft tank full of plants and shrimp so now all the shrimp are in the 2ft and 50% of the plants are in there as well! And I sold the other 50% and made my money back on what I paid for the tank ahaha win win

Thanks blake

Mooo

;;) Definitely a win

Doug

solid win!