Setting Up Low Tech Tank

**shrimppaste** · 5th Oct 2009, 01:36

Hi People,

When I was setting up my high tech tank, I asked here in AQ about EI and I got tremendous amount of help. Now, I am embarking on another project. I am going to set up another tank, but this time low tech. I was searching online, but then there are more questions that answers still. So I guess, the best way is to once again turn to AQ for help. So here are the questions.

1. I understand by low tech it means, low light, no CO2 and no fert? Am I correct with this description?

2. So if there's no fert, the only nutrient comes from the fert base and the water nutrients come from the fish waste? Right?

3. So if the CO2 and nutrient is supposed to come from fish waste, does this mean, right from initial set up, we have to fully stock the tank with plants and fish?

4. What would be some plants that can do well in low tech setting?

5. I am thinking of using these few plants. 1. C. Wenditti 2. Java Fern 3.Cryptocoryne balansae 4. Enchinodorus Indian Red. 5. Anubia Nanas. are these ok?

Thanks again and hope I can find the answer here again!

FC · 5th Oct 2009, 01:55

Low Tech Tank
This is my low tech tank which do well after 3 months of maturing.

1. I have medium light (0.8 watts/litre) which seems ideal. No CO2 and NPK required and no fan, simple! Traces (JBL) and supplement of carbon (Seachem Excel) greatly boost plants' growth and very obviously. Water change only during filter cleaning (using tank's water) or pruning, average once a month.

2. I use ADA soil which provide long term nutrients through fish waste coversion. However, it takes 3~6 months for mine to kick-in.

3. CO2 mainly comes from water surface, then, filter bio process and to much lesser extend from fish respiration.

4. Almost any plants albeit growth are slower.

5. C. Wenditti, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne balansae, Enchinodorus Indian Red and Anubia Nanas are easily adaptable to low tech serup.

Hang-on filter is one of the key success contributor. It is cheap, effective and most importantly does not add heat to water (as the pump is not submerged and installed outside the filter's tub) or clutter the tank's internal view. Choose one size larger than required to acheive more media capacity BUT slow down the pump flow rate by simply cutting the propeller shorter by 30~50%.

Have fun!

**shrimppaste** · 5th Oct 2009, 08:43

How often do you dose the trace and Excel?? Thanks! And do we dose the normal amount? Thanks!

FC · 6th Oct 2009, 02:11

Dose once a week. Dosage: 7 x daily dosage recommended.

**StanChung** · 6th Oct 2009, 04:31

That's a really nice low tech setup.
How long is your tank's photoperiod?
Does this tank receive bright ambient light? Eg -near window?
I ask because the glosso plant looks nice and low.

FC · 7th Oct 2009, 02:03

Getting plant to stay low is easy. Just give amble light period of 11~12 hrs.

**neverwalkalone** · 7th Oct 2009, 10:35

Originally Posted by FC

Low Tech Tank

Hang-on filter is one of the key success contributor. .... Choose one size larger than required to acheive more media capacity BUT slow down the pump flow rate by simply cutting the propeller shorter by 30~50%.

Hi FC, Great looking tank.

I read in your other thread ("Small Low Tech Tank") which looks like the same tank - you're using HOF- "Sun B1" (200l/hr) for your 23l tank. I really like this filter as well, but I find the media capacity a little small. Do you agree?

The next size up is "B2" which is only 250l/hr (great), but it's rather large for my 18l/25cm sq (31cm ht) tank.

Would you recommend the B2 (or GEX-S which I really like) or stick with the B1 since my tank is even smaller than yours?

**|squee|** · 8th Oct 2009, 18:56

Hi shrimppaste.

A good link to start off with since you're familiar with EI will be Tom Barr's Non-Co2 guide.

1. To me low tech = no Co2 and low light. Ferts are still added, only not on a daily basis and only monthly or bi-monthly.

2. Nutrients can come from both the fert base and the water. It's always good to supplement rather than depending on fish waste and fert base alone.

3. Yeap. It's good to stock up as much as possible.

4. The typical suspects. Java moss/ferns, nanas, crypts. Stemmed plants can be grown too.

5. All of them are ok.

FC · 9th Oct 2009, 02:57

Originally Posted by neverwalkalone

I really like this filter as well, but I find the media capacity a little small. Do you agree?

The pic is old. I had already upgraded to next bigger sized filter few months ago. I slow down the pump flow rate (too high for my tank) by simply cutting the propeller shorter by 30~50%.