My tanks update, including low-tech small tank

[budak]

Here's an update on two of my tanks (the third is too shy). The previous update of the larger tank is here.





What I would like to highlight especially, since it seems to be a common issue, is the possibility of setting up small (30 cm or less) tanks with minimal equipment, cost and effort, if one is willing to do some research on suitable plants/fish/fauna and resist the temptation to overcrowd the tank. As noted in the post, I did partial water changes initially, but noticed that fish/shrimp and plant health appeared to be better the fewer water changes I made (a few times, the water became cloudy right after a partial water change, perhaps due to problems with the fresh tap water –*here, I found that changing the water using aged water from the tank remedies the problem). I suspect that with such small tanks, too much fiddling about and water changes causes fluctuations in water chemistry that are detrimental to the fauna and prevent the tank from slowly establishing its own nitrogen cycle.

Of course, the aquascape design of my small tank is nothing to talk about (our excellent Hong Kong friends make me suspect that they could take my duck, plunge it into anoxic substrate and still get it to grow). But the point is, many folk who want a small desktop setup (usually shrimp-based) could do well with a slower, more reserved approach (rather than the throw everything in at once and hope for the best method). Initially, good monitoring (especially after partial water changes or top-ups) is needed but once matured, the goal of a minimal maintenance setup is by no means unattainable.

[Justikanz]

Kind of agree...

My office tank (1ft cube) is cramped with plants and no filtration and no water changes. Fauna includes 1 khuli loach and don't know how many shrimps. I also started with a hang on filter and some water changes... The plants grow after the filtration and water changes stopped.

But I am wondering if it is due to the lower average water temperature...

[kemp]

i guess your shrimps must be loving your small tank. Check out their redness. I prefer such tank. simple with mostly moss, just ideal for shrimp keeping

[dennis_yong]

wah the 1st pic seems to hv a bust community

[|squee|]

budak, those pictures have struck home to me. I finally know what I'm missing from my tanks all this while.

[kemp]

Terence,
Me too. Have also got some inspiration from budak's setup too.