Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping => Gallery Showcase => Topic started by: Matt on June 22, 2018, 09:03:13 PM
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Here are the photos I promised of the 12 litre no-tech shrimp tank I've created. It is a coldwater set up with glass shrimp and nerites snails.
Spider wood and volcanic rock are the hardscape. Plants are java fern, anubias, java moss, salvinia natans , some moss, and ferns from the garden (of unknown variety!) and Lysimachia nummularia growing emergent.
I'll try and get some close ups of the shrimp at some point.
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I'm very impressed with your 12 litre tank. :afro
Awesome.
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You really do have a gift for aquascaping.
I'm really intrigued on what your water parameters are like with only the plants for filtering.
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Blimey Matt, that looks fantastic dude...!!!
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Thanks Pierre, Donna, Helen :))
@Helen To be honest I've not been testing them... the shrimp are very happy and are putting on some nice coloration (for glass shrimp) and have visually grown even in the short time they have been in there (about a month). As we know, shrimp are quite sensitive creatures, so I have no concerns about water chemistry as a result. The plants were also established in other tanks before being added to this tank and the emergent growth and floating plants will no doubt be helping.
I've just done a water change on the tank but will do some tests after leaving the tank a couple of weeks now and see what results I get. I have only added food once so far, just letting them deal with any algae , diatoms etc that's in there so that will no doubt be helping.
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Aufwuchs...!!! :yikes:
I love that word, lolol... :rotfl: Probably a significant player in the shrimp diet at the mo...?
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Lovely looking tank. Looking forward to seeing pictures of the Shrimp at some point.
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Ive decided to try hydrocotyle tripartia in the scape too... I have a small piece which is struggling in my big tank currently. So I'll get some photos of that plus the snails for you!
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Which snail varieties have you gone with Matt...?
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Are you using just ambient light or have you something specifically beamed on to the tank (led spotlight or similar).
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The tank looks amazing :)
Shrimps and snails do have a low bioload so the plants are obviously coping with everything they excrete.
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Wow, wow, wow - fantastic! You were certainly harbouring a couple of secrets recently re this and your pond plan. Very exciting developments. ;D
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Which snail varieties have you gone with Matt...?
I have 2 horned nerites and a 'standard' nerite.
Are you using just ambient light or have you something specifically beamed on to the tank (led spotlight or similar).
Ambient light. The emerged plants grow towards the window and the tank gets direct sunlight for a very small time in the early morning.
Ive included a snail photo below... sorry about the quality.
And finally thanks to all for all the kind words!
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That's a clever disguise for a snail Matt... ;)
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That's a clever disguise for a snail Matt... ;)
Oh @TopCookie don't you recognise the lesser-spotted false-eyed shrimp-imitating snail when you see one. :isay:
:rotfl:
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How did I miss that...!!! (http://www.tropicalfishforums.co.uk/Smileys/tff/24.gif)
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I had a shrimp pass away... after moulting i believe... does anyone have any experience with shrimp deaths after moulting? Does this indicate a deficiency of some kind?
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I've not experienced shrimp deaths after moulting, but I have experienced shrimp deaths due to a failed moult. Though in my main tank, where the shrimps are now, I'd never know as a dead shrimp would be eaten pretty quickly.
Have the shrimps been moulting OK up to now, or is this the first one to moult in this tank?
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I've not experienced this either.
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Its the first one to moult as far as im aware sue...
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When I first had cherry shrimp they kept dying with a white line across their backs. A member on here then (Natalia) told me that was a sign of a failed moult, which I do realise isn't the same as your shrimp. But she said that there is a bacterium that affects shrimp and although there are meds that can be used, she preferred a preventative which boosts the immune system instead. She recommended beta glucans - this is sold on Amazon and Ebay as Genchem Beta G. I got some, and whether it helped or not I can't be sure because the last shrimp was a female carrying eggs, she died but the babies survived and were the start of my colony. Would the babies have been OK anyway, or did the beta g help?
This might help your shrimps.
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I understand Calcium deficiency can cause Shrimp to die post moult. Don’t know if this could be a possibility in your case.
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My latest thinking is actually that they didn't have enough food overall. I'm going to try upping the feeding regime. As a new tank I don't think it had enough microflora to support them all the shrimp and snails on the low feeding regime I had them on to protect water quality.... I'm not sure but I might move the snails into another tank...
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Rescape!
I've taken the snails out and put them in my main tank... they generate far too much waste for a small tank...
I'm also moving the tank to a different location in my house. Having a large still body of water in the kitchen just wasn't sitting well with me especially after some lovely looking mould started growing on the wood! This means that the tank will no longer be viewed from all angles. Hence the new layout.
I'll get a better picture in the morning, though you may just be able to see the top of a sponge filter in the background which I had sitting in the cupboard - now the tank can be nearer a power outlet this is doable so seems silly not too... I'm thinking of adding a pair of least killifish!
:fishy1:
If anyone is interested in building a no tech coldwater shrimp tank themselves I would certainly recommend it as this was a really easy project. Just don't add anything else other than the shrimp. By the way, my setup was more like 8 litres of water due to the low water level so no need to worry too much about size it would seem... Just make sure you have live plants (the plants viaibly grew in their time in the tank with no ferts added) including floating plants and give some thought to cleaning the tank as you set it up... minimise any caves that you can't get a siphon into to clean and I would also consider having just plants attached to wood/rock you can easily remove. That way you could just pick out the decor, do your cleaning, decor back in and your done. That would make for a really successful low maintenance tank :cheers:
Come to think of it... that's not a bad idea... strange how writing this has got me thinking maybe I should have set it up this way... I'll have to see if I can get another 12liter tank on the cheap like I did this one... ::)
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A lovely looking tank @Matt
So good to know that something that looks like that can be put together and maintained as a no-tech tank. :cheers:
I'm now thinking that anyone who may have run out of room around the house for any more tanks could set up a tank like this, pop in a battery operated air pump, and have a tank in the bathroom...
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Oh dear... :o
:rotfl:
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That was my first reaction when the idea popped into my mind. :rotfl:
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Quite "reflectioney... but still a better photo :))
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I'm now thinking that anyone who may have run out of room around the house for any more tanks could set up a tank like this, pop in a battery operated air pump, and have a tank in the bathroom...
Glad that Littlefish is still operating in "Littlefish true mode". :rotfl:
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:rotfl:
Even when I'm trying my best to cut down.
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This tank has had another rescape. It was always part of my plan to 'practise my aquascaping' with this tank so please dont be too shocked if nothing is staying still for more than 5 minutes!
I actually need to get some better pictures so bear with me as some of these are from when it had been 3 weeks with no maintenance but it shows what I was going for! I have got a light for the tank too.
The tanks inhabitants are not really working out like id hoped... Glass shrimp getting very large (see photo of pregnnt one). I can't decide whether to get a heater and do fancy shrimp or, like I was thinking before, get a pair of least killifish (https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/heterandria-formosa/ (https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/heterandria-formosa/)) which for what I can find out will be just fine in there unheated despite the small space available and Maidenhead can get them in for me. Or of course I could do both!... I get the impression cherry shrimp will tolerate low temps too just not breed etc... so much research and decision making to do!!
Either way I think im going to DIY a small hidden air powered filter for the tank as another experiment. Last one was too bulky.
Anyway im happy for now as im getting pearling off the plants when the lights are on!! Presumably the surface area to tank volume is small enough and the lighting period short enough (1 hour only) to facilitate this at the moment.
I will enjoy experimenting before probably looking back round to having this back to no tech at some point. Theres something so satisfying about it being like that. Or I did have a plan for a hang on back filter with integrated heater... oh the possibilities!!!...
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If you do get Heterandria formosa, we want pics. Or at least I do :) I've always wanted these fish even though my hardness is right on their lower limit, but I have never actually seen any. I'll have to make do with owning them by proxy ;D
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Your tank looks lovely.
With all the options for future reworks we will expect to see lots of pics. :)
Shame your current tank inhabitants are not working out, I like the look of those glass shrimp.
Nice markings on those killifish, I should imagine they'd look great in a planted tank.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this tank next. ;D
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Don't worry there will be many many more pictures to come from this tank!
:cheers:
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I agree - tank looks lovely and I'm looking forward to reading of / looking at its development.
:)
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First tank inhabitants added...
I have the least killifish on order ;D exciting times!
I seeded a filter sponge which I had spare as it didn't fit the filter intake on my big tank (was meant to be a shrimp barrier) in the puffer tank for a month. I then used some spare parts to build a 'small as possible' air powered sponge filter which I have hidden within the rocks. I'm hoping the shrimp will keep it seeded for a couple of weeks. I'll add fish food to keep them and the filter going until the fish arrive.
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Very nice shrimp. ;D
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Yes, lovely shrimp. What type is it? I'm not at all familiar with them. :-[
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Yes, lovely shrimp. What type is it? I'm not at all familiar with them. :-[
I'm trying to get it IDd... I've no idea!! It's white with dark blue stripes that go lighter blue at the bottom. Also has hints of red on the tail (this probably means they are low quality I think, but I like it).
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When I first saw the photo I thought 'crystal black shrimp'. But there are bee shrimps as well, which are striped and come in various colours. You will need a shrimp expert to tell the difference :)
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I think you might be bang on with Crystal Blacks. From my (very brief) research they are more common in the shops, plus they have white faces rather than black... I'll run with that until someone corrects me lol!
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I once had crystal red shrimps and apart from the colour, your photo looks very similar :)
The CRS didn't do at all well in my tank, unlike the cherry shrimps which are doing very well.
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Yes these are a but of an experiment... especially as they are unheated. If they dont do well, I will swap them into the Dwarf puffer tank (they have shown no interest in shrimp) and put the 2 normal cherries in this tank as they will be hardier as you have found.
Worst case scenario, the glass shrimp can always go back in :)
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Tank now with a frosted background and in pride of place in the hall :)
I'm experimenting with dwarf hairgrass and hellanthium tennelum in there... no idea what the outcome will be. They have good light and I suspect decent co2 due to small size of tank so high surface area and high aeration. Unheated though so will be interesting to see what happens...
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Looking good. 8)
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I chucked this floating plant in and i soon had shrimp "hanging out" on it
:rotfl:
I need to grow up...
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Wow - those roots are impressive. :afro No wonder that lovely shrimp is enjoying grazing on it.
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Fresh from the pond (after a thorough rinse!) :)
It will grow far too big for this tank but it was just an experiment...
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Great stuff. ;D
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This tank is still going strong... so I decided a couple of months back that I would enter it onto the Maidenhead Aquatics Gallery Competition. I had quite forgotten about this until just now when I visited the site to check their news feed and blog pages... it seems I have made it into the top three!! So...
Any support you would be able to offer me by voting for my tank would be much appreciated :) Winning the competition would mean a huge amount to me as an amateur aquascaper...
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/gallery/ (https://fishkeeper.co.uk/gallery/)
Thanks in advance to anyone who votes for me. :))
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Vote added congrats on top 3 and fingers crossed you win. :)
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Thanks @Rustle :cheers:
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I've voted too :)
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Nice one, thanks @Sue
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You got my vote Matt.
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I've either voted for you about a dozen times or not ar all. I'm not sure if it worked as I got no feedback from pressing the button!
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Thanks to both of you :)
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Done. :)
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Thanks Donna!
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Quick update on this tank...
The tank is still shrimp and snail only... I can't find the fish anywhere! Ive also recently turned the air powered sponge filter back off as it just isn't needed without fish now I know the plants are growing ok.
I added vallis to the background and am experimenting with carpeting plants.
Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae seems to be doing ok
Hellanthium tenellum didn't survive a week...
Micranthemum Monte-Carlo to be honest I removed it shortly after putting it in... I have quite gone off the look of the stuff...
Eleocharis parvula seems to be doing ok.
In fact the reason I'm posting this update is because the tank will shortly look quite different... not sure how far I will go with a rescape quite yet to be honest but everything is definately coming out of the tank because I'm switching it to a planting substrate to help with the carpeting plants. Whatever happens with them it will be slow progress in the low temperatures so I figure I'm best giving them the best possible chance of success... hopefully by the time summer comes and things warm up in there I will get some decent growth! :) the overall look might stay the same... not sure quite yet... I like the wood the way it is but the stone less so. I have an idea of stacking some of the Dragon stone into the corner with the wood emanating from that point but I want the tank to be viewable from three sides and so this more island like layout seems better... maybe just less stone... I will just have to see what happens on the day!!
Anyways he tank will also be so much easier to look after... at the moment I'm having to use an airline tube every other week as a siphon to remove the snail droppings from the top of the sand... this also achieves a water change but on the other week when I do just change water it is sooo quick and easy to do a 50% water change when that only means changing 5 to 6 litres of water!!
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Enjoying their dinner...
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Start of a rescape... not really seen the fruits of my labour yet...Water was very cloudy... it looks less cloudy on the photo to be honest!
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Voila!
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Fantastic! :afro
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Ive just realised the crypts front left and right need moving into the back left and right... happy now ive figured what wasnt quite right! :)
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Beautiful. 8)
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Thanks both :cheers:
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Looks beautiful.
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Thanks @Helen :cheers:
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Voting time!
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/gallery (https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/gallery)
If you are willing to vote for my tank I would greatly appreciate it.
:cheers:
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Done. :)
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Thanks Donna :cheers:
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voted, when do you hear?
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voted, when do you hear?
Thanks Lynne, it won't be till the end of the month!
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Always wanted to try an iwagumi... problem is i ended up adding too many plants... it's just confirmed that this isn't my style...
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Great scape. 8)
I understand the iwagumi style, though have a preference for something more natural.
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This became Grettas (RIP) tank and since her passing has been shrimp filled again. It is also back to the no tech approach (just a light, no heater or filter).
The scape however hadn’t changed until now...
I quite spur of the momently decided to rescape after collecting some rock locally... I had been thinking of doing some kind of river theme for a while - I guess this is a cross between river and Aquascape... I went for the go big or go home approach lol... photo below.
Tank had only just been filled when the photo was taken so there’s still a bit of cloudiness and to be honest I’ve spotted some improvements to make since I’ve been able to look at the photo (a certain toddler woke up just after filling the tank lol). Nevertheless - here’s a pre completion preview!! :cheers:
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:cheers: I like the riverscape/aquascape/?mountainscape mix. 8) :afro
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Nice rework. 8)
I have a preference for the more natural looking set ups, and this one really appeals to me.
I don't have any leaves or cones in any of my tanks at the moment, and looking at your layout I just realised that I kind of miss having them. Look like I might have to do some online shopping soon. :)
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Thanks both.
Or go collecting them @Littlefish - these were collected locally - oak, beech and alder cones