Hello Everybody, Aquanoob from Singapore here!

[Aquanoob]

Hi Everybody,

I just started a low-tech planted tank weeks ago.
It is a 2ft tank bought from QH, and I have
completed the planting, and waiting for the cycle
to stable before putting in the fishes this weekend.

Here are some basic stats on my tank:

Light : 1 x 15W (included)
CO2 : None (Low-tech)
Plant : I bought 5 types from Aquastar,
but I am able to identify 2 of them.
=> Ludwigia Palustris
=> Eleocharis Parvula (Dwarf Hairgrass)
I also wanted to add HC into the tank,
but Aquastar is not selling them.
Intended Fishes : Oto, Zebra (Leopard) Danio, Cardinal Tetra,
Rummy Nose & Wild Guppies

Is my tank with the intended fishes OK?
I will be adding the pictures of the tank soon.
Thank you for this forum, and it is really a great
pleasure to be able to discuss and see all the
natural tank setup by the members.

[boxedfish]

HC might not survive in your tank. it needs more light

[Aquanoob]

Hi boxedfish,

Thanks for the "warning".
Do you know which LFS selling HC?

[boxedfish]

colourful, y618, c328 and many others that i cant think of now... needs co2 also i think..

[beetroot]

hello, agree with boxedfish. think HC will melt in a low tech set up.
have fun with your tank

[Aquanoob]

After a week of conditioning and cycling
of the planted tank, I finally added 2 type
of fishes to my aquarium over the weekend.

They are 3 Oto 小精灵, and 10 Zebra fish of
3 varities, the normal 斑马鱼, then the
orange type 银光斑马鱼 and the
purple 紫衣斑马鱼. The zebras are very
lively, and dart around the tank like torpedos.
The Otos however are quite gentle,
and stick to the drift wood all day.
I got a feeling that they don't like their
noisy neighbours?!


I am feeding the fishes GEX flakes which the Zebra
love and really enjoy, they finish all that I put in within
minutes. However, the Otos are not eating
the flakes, should I buy the Algae Wafer for them?
On my observation, I see that the Otos are actually
"eating" the tiny wood pieces on the drift wood,
is that their diet too?

I will be adding Tetra & Rummy Nose about 1 week from
now, after letting the tank mature yet again.
Any advice?

[StanChung]

I think you need more light for the Ludwigia palustris and the hairgrass. IMO at least 72W for a 2ft tank.

[cyruslaguna]

test the ammonia level before adding, also read up on the fish and their water type / compatibility with other fish. You won't want to be an Aquatic Undertaker.

[Aquanoob]

After another 2 weeks of conditioning,
I added 10 white cloud mountain minnows
yesterday, and they are looking good
and living peacefully with the neighbours.
Now I have 10 Zebras, 10 white cloud mountain
and 3 Oto in my 2 feet tank.

Will add Dwarf Gourami when available,
maybe even Cardinal Tetra.

During the feeding time, the Zebra darted
for the Gex flakes, but the White cloud only
slowly finish any leftovers, it is an interesting
scene to look at.