My meditation tank

[AWW]

After all the stress of changing plans on my 450, I needed a small relaxation tank. I have never done a planted tank at home before, this is the first time. I have very limited knowledge when it comes to plants so I might rely on you guys a tad bit.

Equipment is pretty low quality except for lighting. I put this tank together from old supplies, and if everything works out with no major glitches I will probably upgrade everything. Here is what I have got so far:

20 gallon tank
Slim T5 Fixture ( Will post light specs later)
100 watt heater
Fluval 2 Plus
Fertilizer tray

Decided to stay true and go with sand.

Current plants are:

Rotala
Bacopa
Two thin leafed anubis
Micro sword
A crypt (I think? If someone could ID that would be great)

Stock list:

10 silver tipped tetras
3 sterbai corydoras


Here is a murky picture taken a few days ago. Sense this time, I have done about ten 50 percent water changes and the tank is much clearer. You will also notice that the carpet of micro sword is kinda lacking and there is no rotala or bacopa. I have sense added more plants and will post some new good pictures!

A few questions for the future:

Will I need to add Co2? I was thinking the new fluval co2 that comes with the flora tank could be an interesting experiment.

How to corys do with carpet plants? I have noticed its kinda bugging them.

What dwarf cichlids would go well with the plants I have in there right now? I was leaning toward Rams, but I think I want to try some apistos

Let me know what you guys think!




And here are the photos just taken now, About three days after

[jobber604]

Once your plants start growing, you're tank is going to look so natural and serene.
I'm not a plant expert, but your setup is somewhat similar to mine as sand is the substrate and ground plants. Share some of my own experiences with you.

Cories digging out ground plants:
I have dwarf chain sword and sagittaria subulata which my many cories have not been able to dig up. If the ground plants are well planted, a bit deep, and begin establishing it's root system, the plants will be fine. The sterbais would dig in and around the plants. I may suggest providing an open area for the cories, perhaps the diagonal piece of wood being placed more towards the back right corner on top of the rock which will open up the front left side of the tank make an overhang bridge area for the cories to take some cover.

Ground plants growing in sand:
Since the sand does not have nutrients, I may suggest putting in some root tab fertilizer of some sort; however, dosing dry fertilizer would be suffice. From the look of things, the light seems bright enough. Make sure to have that in check as you may come upon algae and or cynobacteria blooms.

CO2:
You could alternatively use seachem excel or metricide as an alternative to injecting CO2; however, I'm finding that if you want to have healthy growth and fast growth, CO2 injection seems to be the missing link. You can dose and have good lighting while dosing metricide, but natural CO2 will benefit the plants. But injecting CO2 has it's own issues....cost. I've looked into the Fluval CO2 kit, but with that type of money, I rather spend it elsewhere.

Dwarf cichlids:
Apistogammas would be great. Rams, balloon rams...Bolivian rams. Just remember that within a 20 gallon tank and the amount of ground space, I can foresee the apisto's in breeding mode nipping at the sterbais fins. That's the reason why I sold my apistos. My tank is for cories. You never know, the two may coexist in your tank.

Keep up with the pictures and updates. Look forward to seeing this tank grow out.

[AWW]

Once your plants start growing, you're tank is going to look so natural and serene.
I'm not a plant expert, but your setup is somewhat similar to mine as sand is the substrate and ground plants. Share some of my own experiences with you.

Cories digging out ground plants:
I have dwarf chain sword and sagittaria subulata which my many cories have not been able to dig up. If the ground plants are well planted, a bit deep, and begin establishing it's root system, the plants will be fine. The sterbais would dig in and around the plants. I may suggest providing an open area for the cories, perhaps the diagonal piece of wood being placed more towards the back right corner on top of the rock which will open up the front left side of the tank make an overhang bridge area for the cories to take some cover.

Ground plants growing in sand:
Since the sand does not have nutrients, I may suggest putting in some root tab fertilizer of some sort; however, dosing dry fertilizer would be suffice. From the look of things, the light seems bright enough. Make sure to have that in check as you may come upon algae and or cynobacteria blooms.

CO2:
You could alternatively use seachem excel or metricide as an alternative to injecting CO2; however, I'm finding that if you want to have healthy growth and fast growth, CO2 injection seems to be the missing link. You can dose and have good lighting while dosing metricide, but natural CO2 will benefit the plants. But injecting CO2 has it's own issues....cost. I've looked into the Fluval CO2 kit, but with that type of money, I rather spend it elsewhere.

Dwarf cichlids:
Apistogammas would be great. Rams, balloon rams...Bolivian rams. Just remember that within a 20 gallon tank and the amount of ground space, I can foresee the apisto's in breeding mode nipping at the sterbais fins. That's the reason why I sold my apistos. My tank is for cories. You never know, the two may coexist in your tank.

Keep up with the pictures and updates. Look forward to seeing this tank grow out.

Lots of good info there.

The corries actually have lots of ground space, in behind the wood. Unfortunately, because the wood hardly fits in the tank i can't really move it lol. I wasn't too too worried about them digging and uprooting the plants, but it seems like they almost get stuck in them. Is that a problem? Or are they just getting used to the tank?

I have fertilizer trays under the sand. I have Zero idea whats in them but i thought i would give them a shot. There is a small sponge over all the fertilizer, so within a few weeks ill be able to tell if the roots are making it down through the sponge. I hope they will because they will get seriously rooted down if they attach.

I am inclined to agree with you on the Co2. The fluval unit is expensive. Dosing seems easier. Not to mention the fluval unit can't be refilled, you have to buy a new mini tank every time. The only reason i was even considering it, is because i am pretty sure those little Co2 tanks can be bought wayyy cheaper from another source. We used tanks just like that in a school project, and with every student using it we had over 30 little tanks. Knowing the school budget, Im sure they didn't pay all the much for them.

Good point on the corydoras there. I just want the tetras to school tighter, and thought maybe a small cichlid would cause them to do that. I think it might be worth a shot. Ill give it a go and see what happens.

[jobber604]

The cories are exploring and curious about their new surroundings. The sterbais are big and strong enough to get untangled. I have a spawning mop in my tank where my pandas drive right into them like a torpedo and able to get out.

With the number of those CO2 cartridges you'll be going through, the costs will add up. They don't last that long and there's an issue with using them. I'll PM you the issue. If you go CO2 root, go big or go home . Check this one out for as an idea. I was revisiting it yesterday and just finished reading it this morning.
Scholz's DIY Paintball CO2 setup

[AWW]

Yeah after looking at everything If i go Co2 ill go Paintball Co2 If anything. Ill probably grab some excel instead for the time being. Ill jump on Paintball Co2 later if i need to upgrade.

On another note, I think some rams just arrived at my work, Might have to bring a couple home

[cowis]

very nice alex!! not do this to the 450 and ull be set!!!

[AWW]

very nice alex!! not do this to the 450 and ull be set!!!

I wish!!! that means no cichlids!!!!!

[cowis]

or rays..... nm then!!! buy my trimac for that tank!!!!

[AWW]

Small update, Picked up a few rams In the next few days i plan on picking up one more anubis and a couple of moss balls. Also thinking about a lotus for the back corner. Also debating on the final stock of the tank. In the next few weeks i might loose the silver tips. Some galaxy rasboras caught my eye in the shop the other day The micro sword appears to be getting rooted down better and better each day. The same can't be said about the bacopa or the rotala.

Anywayyss here are the rams. Balloon golden. For some reason gold rams just appeal to me. These guys had some nice colour, and i want to save full body rams for my large planted tank. These three are defiantly fun little buggers to watch. I noticed after the addition of these guys the sterbai's got a little agitated, and now every few minuets they swim up and down the glass. Nothing serious though, They are still digging around for food. Without further a due here are some pics:

[jobber604]

Great pictures and nice looking rams. The plants are starting to grow...fast. Lots of growht from the plants which look to be microswords in the front. You dosing any co2?