Queries on setup due to space contraint

[felix00]

Currently having a 2ft tank and cabinet...
So I can only afford to put a chiller in the cabinet ( the back of the cabinet is open so no worries on the heat ), I can still put one 2ltr co2 tank by the side of the cabinet(outside of the cabinet).

After seeing Bro eviltrain's idea "http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ht=shrimp+rack" ;
I come out with this drawing. I do not mind to change the sponge of the pre-filter once a week. Will be keeping some planted and shrimp.
Whether or not to partition the tank still not decided yet.



Not sure is it visible to do this setup?

Question;

i) Is the connection correct?
ii) Where should I place my co2 diffuser?
iii) I wont be needing any air diffuser other than the UGF right?
iv) Should the water pump be inside the tank or outside the tank?
v) What should be the possible problem I will be facing?
vi) areas to improve or take note?

Please advise.. Thanks.

[thebaldingaquarist]

i) Is the connection correct?
looks correct to me.
ii) Where should I place my co2 diffuser?
in this setup, i would recommend it to be close to where your plants are, away from the UGF air pump.
iii) I wont be needing any air diffuser other than the UGF right?
Yes.
iv) Should the water pump be inside the tank or outside the tank?
Do you mean whether you should get an external pump or internal pump? I recommend external, since i like my tank to be void of equipment.
v) What should be the possible problem I will be facing?
UGF and planted soil is not a recommendation i would make. in fact, i would recommend against it. soil for plants carries with it a good amount of nutrients for the plant roots and you most likely do not want that to leak into your water column through the UGF.
vi) areas to improve or take note?
Why not consider an small canister like the eden 501 or eheim 2211. these filters are normally not for 2 ft tanks, but since you may not have that much bio load and have space for a prefilter, i would recommend to use a prefilter --> small canister --> chiller combination.

[felix00]

Hi Eric,

iv) Should the water pump be inside the tank or outside the tank?
Do you mean whether you should get an external pump or internal pump? I recommend external, since i like my tank to be void of equipment.

Reply: Yes, correct term is internal or external water pump. I also prefer external so the water wont get heated up so fast.

v) What should be the possible problem I will be facing?
UGF and planted soil is not a recommendation i would make. in fact, i would recommend against it. soil for plants carries with it a good amount of nutrients for the plant roots and you most likely do not want that to leak into your water column through the UGF.

Reply: U mean the UGF will drain away the nutrients? Hmmmmm.... even if I were to put a netting or mesh on top of the UGF panel?? Sorry for the stupid question as I have not research on this yet.

vi) areas to improve or take note?
Why not consider an small canister like the eden 501 or eheim 2211. these filters are normally not for 2 ft tanks, but since you may not have that much bio load and have space for a prefilter, i would recommend to use a prefilter --> small canister --> chiller combination.

Reply: The space inside the cabinet is not enough for a canister filter... Just nice for a chiller.. The jeleco pre-filter will sit on the chiller.

[Phillipians]

Honestly, you can get away with simple setup with some shrimps and plants with what you have. However, if you really want to get serious with planted tanks then Eric's point of getting a canister filter is better.

In fact, honestly, if you can get a chiller, I rather you use the money buy an Eheim 2213 0r 2215 for a 2ft tank and then also get a new fish tank. IOS + UGF do not cut it for planted - period. Get a simple tank brace or braceless up to you and then use that space at the bottom for a canister. Forget about the chiller, get a fan instead. That way you have more options on getting a nice scape.

No offence I hope, as it is an honest opinion. Its just that in your case, the chiller is a luxury, the filter and good lights are a necessity

[felix00]

Hi Phillipians,

Don't worry, all comments are welcome... i agree with "the chiller is a luxury, the filter and good lights are a necessity". it just that right now i have the chiller but not canister...i will consider selling the chiller and buy a canister... let me think about it again... if i were to do shrimp tank with planted then will this plan work?
I am trying to use what i have on hand now...

[thebaldingaquarist]

Ok. How about.. Soil-less shrimp tank. Plants will be moss on wood. And filtration with bio sponge air driven filters.
That way you can have shrimps and plants and get away with a small cabinet.

[felix_fx2]

Ok... i actually reading this thread and found something i cannot don't say about.

iv) Should the water pump be inside the tank or outside the tank?
Do you mean whether you should get an external pump or internal pump? I recommend external, since i like my tank to be void of equipment.

and

it just that right now i have the chiller but not canister...i will consider selling the chiller and buy a canister

If a external pump aka powerhead, we don't have too many choices. So that would mean those ehiem universal pumps, at that price range you can actually go get a Atman/Jebao canister.

Here's the type i am speaking of.
https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products...umps/universal


Back on the part about shrimps and plants. Only one will be able to thrive, the other can survive.
Just to share with you what i see over the years when go some bros home.

Plant based tank with shrimp: This is the normal planted tank. Canister/hof/*luxury item chiller* Plants die complain, shrimps die blame on ferts/amonia spike . Shrimps die go LFS buy..

Shrimp tank based tanks: Low requirement plants, Minimum fert dose or no dosing. Keep low requirement plants to beautify (moss tree as a example). Chiller or fan /Canister or sponge filter. When Plant die just replace from LFS. some algae

Serious Shrimp breeder: Tons of floating plants, Frogbits/hortworts/mini lettuce, zero ferts. Chiller & Canister + sponge filter... algae can see in tank.

If you can, just go visiting other hobbyist, shrimp keeper or planted tank. I do mean hobbyist, not shop... shop too much poison

[felix00]

Thanks Bro for all the advice... I didn't know that pump is so expensive.. Will have to add in the price and replan again... Thumbs up... I will be back soon... Haha...

[Phillipians]

A good idea is to go down to C328 or any other LFS to take a look at the prices first. Helps in planning. And i didnt know you had a chiller already. My bad, haha.

This makes it real tricky then...

I think plants and shrimp can go together, just that you can only keep low light, low demand plants like nana, buceps, ferns, Hairgrass, difformis, and some rotalas.

Adding a drop of micros once in a while should not kill them. I have a tank with fish and low demand plants. twice a week excel, once a week 1 drop of micros.

Plants and mosses doing damn well... no algae either. May be I should try some shrimps on that setup.

[illumnae]

I kept a nano in office, high tech with chiller, LED lighting, CO2 and EI dosing and kept CRS in it no problem (described above as plant based tank with shrimp). CRS didn't die to CO2 or fertilization.