Matt's 12 litre no-tech nano

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

Just joined the forum so wanted to bring you up to speed on this aquarium I set up recently...

Lighting: FLEXI mini
Plants: Buce (unknown), Anubias Nana, Java Fern, Crypt Wendtii, Java Moss, Ophiopogon Kyoto, Lysimachia Nummularia Aurea (normally a pond plant...)
Rock: Dragon stone
Substrate: Sand
Wood: Spider wood
Inhabitants: Crystal Black Shrimp (as per photo, can you help me confirm this identity?)

I have a seeded, homemade air powered sponge filter to hide inbetween the rocks for when the fish get added. Not sure you would need it strictly but it adds flow too so... I'm turning it from no tech to low-tech I guess.

The idea is that this tank will be constantly being rescaped as a test bed for me to try all sorts of things without too much worry or expense.

EDIT: Added photo of how this scape ended up

 

[azawaza]

I like simple setups like this. Waiting to watch it develop.

Qn: Which is the O.kyoto? This is a new plant to me.

 

[Edvet]

Ophiopogon Kyoto

Seems to be more a swamp plant than an aquarium plant, just be carefull.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Seems to be more a swamp plant than an aquarium plant

Definitely isn't an aquatic.

Qn: Which is the O.kyoto? This is a new plant to me.

It is the plant on the far right of the top row in attached image ...._394.

cheers Darrel

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

It was sold to me as suitable for terrarium and aquariums. I did have my doubts as to whether it would survive in my tank living a totally aquatic lifestyle... Time will tell! I couldn't the. Down the opportunity for such a different looking plant!

If it doesn't do well I will probably try some dwarf sag in its place. I was scared off using "normal" plants due to the tank being unheated but I'm starting to get the feeling that I probably needent have been so worried, especially with some of the more robust "tropical" plants.

 

[mort]

We used to have that plant from time to time when we were kids and it lasts a little while before it starts to die off. Looking back a lot of the plants that were available weren't true aquatics.
I wouldn't be overly worried by having no heater. In my shrimp tanks I don't either and they don't seem to get that cold, normally down to 20c or so in the winter and the plants seem uneffected do far.

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

The O.kyoto didn't last very long...

I have since rescaped this tank though... I am experimenting to see if I can grow an Eleocharis Parvula carpet in this setup with an aquasoil substrate and minimal dosing... so far so good as a couple of weeks in I have root growth happening. Crypts unfortunately melted but are growing anew again too.

 

[Marc Davis]

come on then Matt. Lets have an update

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

Not much to update on just yet. Slow growth in a set up like this, though I'm hoping the warmer weather will help...

Crypts are growing back nicely though...

Lots more carpet root growth and the first signs of new shoots coming through

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

I ended up removing the wood and trying a more iwagumi style. The crypts never really made it for some reason...

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

This though is what the scape looks like now...