My new nano GEX planted tank

**beetlejuice403** · 30th Sep 2008, 18:34

Hi all,

finally decided & managed to set up this nano GEX tank which I recently bought from a friendly bro in AQ

... Did up the scapes & planted some plants, now in the cycling stage... Still thinking of what faunas to introduce into this tank given its relatively petty size... All Bro/ Sis are welcomed to comments & give suggestions on how I may improve it. Thanks in advance for viewing!!!

Tank: GEX Genoah 200 [20cm x 20cm x 24cm]
Filter: Atman Hangon Filter (HF-0100)
Light: GEX 12W PL (on for 8 hours daily)
Substrate: GEX Shrimps & Plants Soil (Red Packet) with bamboo charcoal chips underneath
Flora: Background - Spiky Moss Wall, Hornwort, Didiplis Diandra, Unknown plant (looks like hornwort but much finer; Midground - Normal Hairgrass, Dwarf Hairgrass; Foreground - Süßwassertang (now known as LOMA ferns, courtesy of bro Stan) on mesh. Floaters - Some kind of duckweeds/ salvina molesta (I think so lah..)
Fauna: Still planning (Any suggestions? Contemplating getting more Boraras Brigittae as they are super cute!!!)

NB: The unknown reptile on the right of the tank is an unidentified & non-poisonous breed. It was placed there simply to counter my curious 2-year old girl from trying to test & see if the tank water inside is hot or cold...

**Verminator** · 30th Sep 2008, 18:47

Nice tidy little set-up. The plastic gecko beside really adds to the look

Keep us updated.

**torque6** · 30th Sep 2008, 18:53

Looks like my previous tank been put to good use. Very nice beetle

**beetlejuice403** · 30th Sep 2008, 22:02

Originally Posted by Verminator

Nice tidy little set-up. The plastic gecko beside really adds to the look

Keep us updated.

Originally Posted by torque6

Looks like my previous tank been put to good use. Very nice beetle

Thanks Verminator, hopefully it'll remain tidy in a few weeks time also when the plants grow...

Thanks Torque6, will plant the Rotala indica in this tank when it's more stable in my mature tank... most probably to substitute for the hornworts...

Sorry for the poor quality pic as taken with my mobile phone. Will try to take clearer shots if possible...

Cheers!

**torque6** · 2nd Oct 2008, 02:19

The transparent filter fits nicely on the gex, has that very clear look. Do however, plant as densely as possible.

**beetlejuice403** · 6th Oct 2008, 18:29

Thanks bro torque6, still thinking of what other plants I can intro into this nano tank leh... Any recommendations?? [Sigh! My tank setup can't compare to your 1-feet tank lah... Super nice plants & scapes leh!!

]

Anyway, did a major overhaul of the plants in this tank as I changed the position of the hangon filter... (Yes! Itchy fingers...) Added in some red plants (think it's rotala sp. Red) which I bought from bro

sign last week to give it a more colourful look... Here are the pics...

Hope that the Süßwassertang & the spiky ferns will grow out fast & nice as I'd intended so that all the ugly S/S mesh will be covered in a few weeks/months time...

Comments/critiques & suggestions are welcome!!! Thanks for viewing!!

**k3nlim** · 6th Oct 2008, 19:34

Nice little tank you got there

In my opinion,the white "cave" might be covered with moss to make it looks abit more natural.

Intending on shrimps in there? Axeolrodi blue might give some contrast with the greens and red.And further more they're small...just nice for your tank

**torque6** · 6th Oct 2008, 22:07

Hi beetle,

thanks for the comment on my new scape. Appreciate it. By the way, i noticed alot of mosses on steel plates on the back and front. I have adopted this form of growing mosses in my last setup but was unsuccessful.

You can check my threads on how these mosses trap particles which gives rise to BGA, I had to throw my 18x18cm taiwan moss away as i couldnt get BGA/hair algae to come off as it stink extremely badly. The underside of the mosses has always been in a rotted state, which is a possible cause. 8 months of hardwork down the drain.

If i had the chance to do it again, i will not use foreground plants for the 20x20, but instead will use a mixture of petitie nanas, ferns/narrow+ph, mosses on driftwood covering the "entire tank" with a fast growing plants on the corner or backdrop.

Its a mixture of the right combo of plants that will minimise algae outbreaks. Not to the extent of the plant density.

**beetlejuice403** · 7th Oct 2008, 18:41

Originally Posted by k3nlim

Nice little tank you got there

In my opinion,the white "cave" might be covered with moss to make it looks abit more natural.

Intending on shrimps in there? Axeolrodi blue might give some contrast with the greens and red.And further more they're small...just nice for your tank

Thanks k3nlim for the compliments...

Will try to cover the 'white cave' with some moss as you recommended to give it a more natural look! [PS: I used 6 Ceramic Rings & glued them together to mimick this CRS hideout that I bought from NA previously to save $$$ - now I know my Art sucks...

]

Originally Posted by torque6

Hi beetle,

thanks for the comment on my new scape. Appreciate it. By the way, i noticed alot of mosses on steel plates on the back and front. I have adopted this form of growing mosses in my last setup but was unsuccessful.

You can check my threads on how these mosses trap particles which gives rise to BGA, I had to throw my 18x18cm taiwan moss away as i couldnt get BGA/hair algae to come off as it stink extremely badly. The underside of the mosses has always been in a rotted state, which is a possible cause. 8 months of hardwork down the drain.

If i had the chance to do it again, i will not use foreground plants for the 20x20, but instead will use a mixture of petitie nanas, ferns/narrow+ph, mosses on driftwood covering the "entire tank" with a fast growing plants on the corner or backdrop.

Its a mixture of the right combo of plants that will minimise algae outbreaks. Not to the extent of the plant density.

Wah bro torque6, didn't know that doing so will be opening doors to BGA man... I think I better go dig up & read your earlier threads before they come knocking on my tank...

Hmm... in that case, maybe will transfer some of my narrow java ferns to use in this tank as you suggested... Thanks a million!!

**k3nlim** · 8th Oct 2008, 12:07

The ceramic rings are good idea

Can save money!!

Looks good to me,just have to "camo" to make it blend in...should have thought about using it to keep shrimps, good hiding place.

**fish_nerd** · 8th Oct 2008, 23:23

Nice Set-up.
I also wan to set up a nano planted tank. But i have no real exp in planted tanks.
The most planted things i did is trying to grow moss on DW. HaHa.

**beetlejuice403** · 9th Oct 2008, 02:09

Originally Posted by fish_nerd

Nice Set-up.
I also wan to set up a nano planted tank. But i have no real exp in planted tanks.
The most planted things i did is trying to grow moss on DW. HaHa.

Thanks bro fish_nerd,

sometime simplicity is also nice with just moss on DW in the tank... Still learning about planted tanks everyday from bro/sis in here...

Cheers!