Intending to set up a small tank (60 x 20 x 23)

[Ernest Tan]

Hi all, thinking of setting up a small tank with size 60 x 20 x 23 cm (L x W x H) next coming month. Saw it at LFS in the north. Planning to get a solite T5 low output (14w x 2). Do you think its ok? Wanted to get ADA Amaziona soil with dymax hang-on filter (??450). Not intending to get co2 system but maybe can try to dose some excel. What do you all think? Will try to post some pics when setting. the tank will be place on my table.

[marle]

Hi all, thinking of setting up a small tank with size 60 x 20 x 23 cm (L x W x H) next coming month. Saw it at LFS in the north. Planning to get a solite T5 low output (14w x 2). Do you think its ok? Wanted to get ADA Amaziona soil with dymax hang-on filter (??450). Not intending to get co2 system but maybe can try to dose some excel. What do you all think? Will try to post some pics when setting. the tank will be place on my table.

You might want to state what type of plants you are going to plant so we can help you more

Without c02, your plant choices are limited, if you want a nice scape, try not to go for plants that require c02 input. Excel only provides carbon source to a certain extend. Do take note of the flow rate of the hang on filter.

Yes, it will be good to post some pictures too.

[Merviso]

Hi Ernest,


I actually started with this tank on end June and regretted just after 2 month.

Just to share with you my thoughts and experience:
- initially bought this tank with the intention to keep shrimps only
- started buying plants to going with the shrimps
- apart from no CO2 restriction, the height of the tank allows me to only buy short growing plants, lots of limitation
- the small depth of the tank also limits the amount of scaping I can do
- started buying some small fishes to go with the shrimp
- found the water foul up very fast due to the small tank size
- initially using Dolphin hang-on filter, but due to the length of the tank, the water circulation is very limited unless you put the filter in the center of the tank
- change filter to Eden 501 and finally change the tank

After going through all this, I would advise you to reconsider buying the tank. Unless you are planing for a moss and shrimps only setup. I personally find it with too many restriction for future use.

Maybe you can consider the 1ft cube tank instead. For me, I'm replacing this tank with a custom order 1.5ft x1ft x1.5ft tank and the pricing is actually quite comparable. Good luck.

[ranmasatome]

Earnest...
Stick with a similar sized tank.. downsizing will cause you even more problems..so if the height is bothering you, get soemthing taller, like maybe a 2ftx 1ftx 1ft.. these tanks are the most common on the market nowadays.. and very cheap too... sometimes people even give them away foc on the market place..so keep an eye out..
What beginners always think is that if i get a smaller tank..it is easier to manage.. that is one of the biggest lies and mistakes they will ever make.. small tanks are the most fickle and hardest to keep stable.

[Ernest Tan]

Thanks for all your advices. I have a 120x45x60 for 3 yrs in my living room that why wanted to try other sizes but my ideal tank size is 180x60x70 braceless. He He maybe when i move to a bigger house.

Why i'm trying smaller tank (60x30x45 x2sets without co2) because i did badly before the 4ft so now decided to give it another try.

Just came back see see look look, decided to to get 2 tanks, 45x30x30 and 30x30x30. Stick to dymaz pf450 and considering 8w x4 t5 for the first tank and 6w x4 t5 for the second. Both from rainbow, i think made in china but worry about the light bulb cos 1.5 inch and 1 inch is not easily avaliable. 1 packet of 9l of ada amazion should be enough.

Maybe will try mosses for the first tank but i'm suck with mosses, am better with stem plants. need advice from you bros out there on this

[ranmasatome]

mosses for some strange reason.. love cold water..

[benkho]

t5 lighting with 4 tubes is quite an overkill... or at least if you got lots of cash to spare.

i would get a single tube pl lighting where it is more modifiable. like if you decide to do planted, you can get a high wattage tube but if for a shrimp tank, i highly doubt you need 4 tubes per tank. just my thoughts.