8inches cube tank

**blk115** · 28th Sep 2008, 13:19

dear all, i got a 8inches cube tank using a jebao 200l/hr hang over filter.. wonder how should i scape it to make it look nice.. any suggestions? thinking of keeping afew cardinal tetra and apiar of rams and some shrips.. is the bioload too high?

**Verminator** · 28th Sep 2008, 17:17

Perhaps get a basic layout of substrate and rocks that looks aethetically pleasing to you and at the same time gives you an image of how you imagine plants growing around/over those rocks. Also include any wood/branch structures in this design. Maybe post an image on here once your happy and myself and others could/will sugguest ideas, such as plants would suit.

Information such as your lighting levels, lighting period, any ferts added, will all help us to suggest possible plants and ideas for you

**blk115** · 28th Sep 2008, 17:47

hi i'm intending to make it a low tech tank.. no light as tank is in balcony so natural light is enough.. CO2 will be from the fishes and no fert at all..

**Verminator** · 28th Sep 2008, 18:05

In that case your slightly limited, even more so now i finally realise how small a tank this is

This tank is certainly too small to house a pair of rams. 8 inch is tiny, maybe even too small for a couple of tetras. Bit cramp, i'd be very reluctant to house fish in such a tank. Fish aught to be able to move freely. A few small shrimp possibly though.

Plants, maybe some Anubias nana petite? Doesnt require much and is a hardy plant. Other than that possibly some of the mosses (I've never grown moss myself, so i won't advise on which ones). Other than that i'm not so sure on smaller plants that are low tech that could thrive in such a small tank (or not dwarf out the tank in anyway). Achieving a balance between plant size and tank is going to be hard for such a small scape.

**antitrust** · 28th Sep 2008, 23:23

i would suggest 4-5 tiny specimens of Microrasbora sp. Galaxy, Boraras brigittae or cherry shrimps or malayan shrimps.

as for plants, Verminator has pointed out a great choice, Anubias nana petite. you can also try some Singapore moss which you can pick from around your estate.. I'll also throw in some hornwort to keep algae in check.

I would recommend an inert and non-fertile substrate as the plants will be easy and not demanding..

Do show us how the tank turns out!

**Sunfire** · 29th Sep 2008, 10:11

The 8 inch cube is NOT that difficult.

Yes, your bioload is too high and not ideal for fish.

But I probably made the same mistake before.

These may give you ideas. All below 25 cm, rectangular.

Look, see here. 23 cm, but also with hang on filter. formular = foreground + background + rocks + highlight

This is 18cm cube.... Simple 3 plant formular. Lawn + green + red.

All plants = hairgrass, anubias nana petite, cryptocoryne wilsil, e tennellus