Froo,
Welcome to the forum.
I do not have experience in miniature tank. It is going to be a challenge to you because such tank means:
1) small volume of water which translate into high fluctuation in water chemistry.
2) limited choice of plants as only small ones are suitable
3) proportion of the set-up, aquascape is more critical
4) any equipment use should be miniature or better not use at all
5) fish load is limited and dry food is the only choice
6) normally for the veterans to keep
However, you may try the following no filter and CO2 set-up:
Stage 1: Setup
1) Cover the tank bed evenly with fine fresh gravel (quartz with about 1 mm diameter) till it reach 0.5 cm thick.
2) Before you place the fertilizer, surround the tank bed perimeter with fine gravel to hide the fertilizer from the glass wall.
3) Place about 1 cm thick of fertilizer (you need 400 cubic cm of it) over the gravel.
4) Cover the fertilizer with fine gravel till the total gravel height is 3.5cm
5) Fill tank with old water (tap water that had been left on container more than 12 hours to remove chlorine, DO NOT use de-chlorinate chemical) till 1/3 high. For miniature tanks, NEVER use fresh tap water.
6) Inject about 10~15 ml of peat extract (black water) using a syringe into the bottom of the substrate, evenly. Use a 5 ml syringe.
7) Fill the tank with water till top, 1.5 cm below the tip.
Let it rest for 5 days.
9) Then, remove 90% water from the tank.
10) Mix 5ml bio starter liquid (beneficial bacteria) with 30 ml of water and inject it 1.5 cm below the gravel surface, evenly.
11) Fill the tank with water till top, 1.5 cm below the tip.
Stage 2: Cycle the tank
1) Place about half dozen or less of small shrimps and fishes (less than 2 cm long in adult size).
2) Feed once a day, 1~2 minutes feed
3) Light (20 watts incandescent/filament halogen light with lens) on maximum 2 hours a day
4) Do it for 2 weeks
Stage 3: Plant the tank
1) Use only very small plants, max 3 types.
2) Do not use your fingers to plant, use pincer.
3) Try not to disturb the gravel too much.
4) Light on for 6~8 hours a day
5) change 35% water weekly.
Have fun.
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