ideas needed for setting up abt 20+ very small tank

[lorba]

Hi all, recently a colleague from another dept approached me regarding the mentioned issue. Their dept is going to have a new year party and will be giving away birthday presents for those whose birthday falls within these 2 months.

Well, she want to gives away small planted tank, i think container is a better word, around 20. Budget is $3-$4 per 'tank', not including the container. I would like to gather some ideas of getting this done. I am helping out of pure interest, so I won't be paid transport or commission!

What i can think of is a trip down to teo's. I don't think any of the birthees will be using any form of light other than desk lamp or light already in office, so i choose low light plants:
1) crypto
2) java moss
3) taiwan moss? hmmm

Thinking of getting small and loose pieces of driftwood, branches, rock and best, gravel to go with the plants. Anyone got any other ideas of what plants i can put in? E.T can make it?

It will be even better if you can dispose some excess stuff and plants to me!

[Alfa Low]

Instead of getting Cryptoryne sp, why don't you consider Anubias barteri var nana and Java fern as they are hardier than C and no base fert is required if you tie them on wood.

[lorba]

most anubias grow very big huh

[Alfa Low]

The nana is quite small.

[DEA]

a few points i think you should take note

1. lighting issues
the people who get these tanks are not likely to be able to provide strong light

2. size
kinda idiot proof here

3. maintenance
people who get the tanks might not know how to take care of these plants/animals properly

i would recommend java moss tied on small pieces of mangrove roots
with perhaps a river sand substrate and some malayan shrimp
simple, easy to maintain, hardy, cheap

juz a thought

[kubrich]

i think java fern and java moss would be a gd combo.both are hardy and don't require substrate,strong lighting ,etc.i have a 2ft tank with java fern and java moss as plants only,lights are on only for a short while and not very regularly.the java fern looks great,lush and green and no probs with the leaves turning black at all,but the moss looks kinda pale. i guess low lights and low temp frm aircon in the office would be gd enough for java fern.plus it looks really gd if u have juz dark gravel and background paper,some java ferns in the back ground and some pebbles here and there in the front...[]

[lorba]

anyone knows how money plant fares?

[loupgarou]

I have a very small tank in the office.

6 in x 6 x 4

tenelus + 1 crypt and a money plant. no lighting + no co2.

fluorite substrate.

just added 1 shrimp today.
the crypt melting in this tank looks disgusting. heh

[CK Yeo]

If it is not inclusive of the tank, then it is quite easy to meet the budget already.
No need substrate... maybe a thin thin layer of sand.
Get the small vase from Ikea.
Get black flat stones from nusery and tie moss to it. No need X' mass moss, Java moss is cheaper. $2 maybe can tie a few stones, depending on how generous you tie them.
Arrange a few small leaves of Java fern in the corner.
Throw in 1 betta.

In this way, no need to worry about light, CO2, algae. Looks nice also. All they need to do it feed a bit and change a bit of water.

ck

[juggler]

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On 12/11/2002 11:47:48 AM

If it is not inclusive of the tank, then it is quite easy to meet the budget already.
No need substrate... maybe a thin thin layer of sand.
Get the small vase from Ikea.
Get black flat stones from nusery and tie moss to it. No need X' mass moss, Java moss is cheaper. $2 maybe can tie a few stones, depending on how generous you tie them.
Arrange a few small leaves of Java fern in the corner.
Throw in 1 betta.

In this way, no need to worry about light, CO2, algae. Looks nice also. All they need to do it feed a bit and change a bit of water.

ck
----------------

Good idea. And colleagues can get together with their tanks to see the betta flare against each other.

[lorba]

haha, great idea.. a friend of mine still has a few of his fighting fish fry available.. but hmm.. seems like not enough