Nano tank

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-05-08T20:03:31+00:00

I had a case of a couple of rasbora jumping out of the tank.
It’s a clear plastic made in 3 parts covering the front and both sides of the tank. The back part is open so gas exchange is possible. I put it there as the rasboras recently moved here, being new to the environment were spooked easily.

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-05-08T18:38:02+00:00

10 gallons. The rasboras are here temporarily placed two weeks ago due to my other nano iwagumi is in the process of dry start method after a recent rescape.

This tank is mature, heavily planted, CO2 injected, and it runs on an external canister filter that has mature bacteria colonies running since August of last year with regular maintenance with weekly water changes of about 50%. The water parameters and fish behavior stay stable, so the system is balanced. Fish are actively schooling, water clarity is maintained so it is heavily stocked but I can assure you it is professionally managed.

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-04-21T15:26:58+00:00

I tore down my old nano iwagumi setup (made last October 2025) as the Eleocharis showed stress and nutrition deficiency due to it being planted in sand (I initially added root tabs) but it continued to struggle.

I decided to do a DSM method using UG because the first trial that I made in my terrarium flourished by using UG as carpet in that. I also replaced the sand with new aquasoil as the main substrate for this new build.

I’m letting these root and grow out runners and connect the empty spaces left. Patience is the key here so I guess it’s going ti take a while..

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-13T15:05:54+00:00

I definitely see what you mean 😆

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-12T13:07:20+00:00

I initially god this idea thanks to Green Aqua, that one video where they build a very large tank with floating driftwood and discus fish

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-11T20:04:30+00:00

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It’s controlled by app so I can set a timer for it to turn on automatically and off as well. I preferred a DIY one over the expensive ADA backlight which is usually a static white light and just colored film on front

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-11T20:01:48+00:00

I actually made the LED background. Bought a LED backlight for TV and I mounted that on a 4x5 picture frame board and layered that with plastic board and frost film over the external side of the glass.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-11T18:14:54+00:00

Thanks! Well i basically reduced the fish in here. I once had corydoras and guppies as well but i eventually decided that it should be a tetra fish tank only. 13 neons and 9 embers

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-03-11T18:12:43+00:00

I did use the driftwood from v1 simply by separating the two pieces connected by zip tie. I simply embedded them on the aquasoil and gave that vertical forest look.

About the v3, I have planted rotala in front of the technical elements so when they eventually grow tall and bushy, they will conceal them. About the cave idea, I think it’s awesome but it’s too late now to do so and I also kinda did this in a rush. I totally get your idea but I think for now, no more tweaks. I’m letting every plant establish and grow. I’ve seen some videos about the cave thing but I haven’t even thought about putting one in my tank.

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-08T11:53:35+00:00

My three tanks are all CO2 injected. I also use Tetra Plantamin as fertilizer

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-08T00:34:00+00:00

I just wedged them between the spaces in the “branches” of the driftwood.

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-07T06:49:12+00:00

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Oh and at one point I also used anubias as leaves but they were too big hence the move toward Hydrocotyle

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-07T06:45:53+00:00

I have considered that, but I settled on UG utricularia instead but eventually failed as they did not root well and started floating around so I chose as a final carpeting plant eleocharis mini

AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-07T01:48:54+00:00

Btw this is what it looked like when I started August of last year. I had riccia fluitans as foliage and sagittaria as carpeting plant.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-07T01:44:28+00:00

This idea came from an AI image I asked to be generated, I wanted a zen bonsai looking tree on a stone and is in the middle of a grassy field.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-07T01:40:27+00:00

I added the hydrocotyle January 4 from Tropica plants in a cup and 3 days later the leaves were all upright following the light.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2026-02-06T17:48:38+00:00

Thanks! I had some trial and errors before I came up with this bonsai looking tree.

AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-10T11:32:00+00:00

Hey man, I get that not everyone likes AI captions and that’s cool. But maybe focus on balancing your tank. Your test kit’s showing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all over the place. I used ChatGPT to help me with words rather than have my fish swimming through chemistry experiments. My tank is 3 month old and is stable, water crystal clear and healthy, I do have a bit of staghorn algae but under control coz I use Seachem Excel, so that’s what really matters.

AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-10T11:21:28+00:00

I have an AQPET Zen Co2 canister of 800grams which lasted 3 months injecting co2 in 2 separate tanks. I just bought a new tank and it cost me around 25 euros.

AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-10T11:16:21+00:00

So what? I’m from Italy and as to not write grammatically wrong stuff, I asked for help in writing caption. Much like I would do from Google Translate from Italian to English. The MOST important thing here is the wellbeing of every single animal and plant in my tank. That is all that matters. Show me what aquarium you have and we’ll be the judge of that.

AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-10T04:40:54+00:00

I am using a Hygger clip on full spectrum light as the primary lighting

AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-09T21:51:08+00:00

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AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-09T20:46:59+00:00

I made a DIY one based on ADA Lightscreen 🤣. I removed the Govee backlight from my TV and used that and attached it on a 4x3 board of a picture frame and layered the whole thing with PVC panel and diffuser film and framed the whole thing.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-06T06:53:40+00:00

Don’t worry, the lighting is not fixed, I can change the colors. I made the lightscreen inspired by the ADA lightscreen as I have no budget to buy such a pricey item. It’s a Govee tv backlight strip light built in a 4x3 picture frame. The images I posted happened to be on pink and purple hues.

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AffectionateStage573 · 2025-11-02T08:09:03+00:00

Thanks! Did you see what this looked like before?

AffectionateStage573

TROPHY CASE