My Low Tech Scapers Tanks

[Andy D]

Hi All!

I have taken down four of my tanks and replaced them with two Dennerle Scapers tanks. I will also be setting up two Wabi-Kusa shortly.

TANK 1

This is purely a shrimp tank. Currently housing about 20 Red Cherry Shrimp. I will add some more (most likely Red Crystal Shrimp) once it is a bit more mature.

Tank - Dennerle Scapers Tank 50 litres - 45cm x 36cm x 31cm (LxHxD)
Filtration - Fluval Nano internal
Lighting - Superfish IQ43 LED (will add a second at some point)
Substrate - Cat Litter
Hardscape - Lava Rock and Pear Tree branches
Flora - Anubias & 'Moss' Balls
Fauna - Red Cherry Shrimp






TANK 2

This houses my Betta. Where the shrimp tank is mainly rock and little in the way of plants, this one is wood and will hopefully be a nice jungle style. I have re-used all of the plants which need a little TLC to get them back to their best.

Tank - Dennerle Scapers Tank 50 litres - 45cm x 36cm x 31cm (LxHxD)
Filtration - Fluval Nano internal
Lighting - 2 x Superfish IQ43 LED
Heating - Rena Smart heater
Substrate - Tropica soil
Hardscape - Pear Tree branches
Flora - Bolbitis, Anubias, Bucephelandra, Sagittaria, Moss (Java I think) and various Crypts.
Fauna - Betta Splendens





(Apologies for the pictures. I find that the iPhone (5s) seems to squish them a little).

 

[Manisha]

Lovely update photos Andy ☺

Why did you use cat litter in the first tank?

Will you sagittaria stay low in low light?

 

[Andy D]

Lovely update photos Andy ☺

Thanks!

Why did you use cat litter in the first tank?

Simply because I like the way the colour matches that of the lava rock.

Will you sagittaria stay low in low light?

Probably not but I am not too fussed about this as I want a jungle effect after all. If it gets too unruly I will trim it or replace it.

 

[Nelson]

Both look great 🙂.

 

[Guest]

Nice scapes Andy.

 

[woodster]

Both are really nice, which cat litter did you use, I really like the colour of it, cheers Mark.

 

[Andy D]

Both are really nice, which cat litter did you use, I really like the colour of it, cheers Mark.

THIS stuff. Be aware it needs a LOT of rinsing!

 

[woodster]

Thanks for that

 

[Manisha]

I bought a bag of that also, hoping to use it in a scape to contrast with San Sui Stone but wasn't brave enough... wish I had because yours looks so good 🙂

 

[Greenfinger2]

Hi Andy, Great start on both scapes looking forward to your updates. I love the jungle look one of my fave looks. Is that H pin on the top of the DW wicked looking plant once established and will give shade to the Anubias below. And that will be one happy Betta

I Cannot wait to see your Wabi-Kusa , Any Q just ask mate 😉

 

[Aqua360]

Love that second tank 🙂 imo the first tank would benefit greatly from a tonne of moss, to age the rocks and help out the shrimp 🙂

 

[Andy D]

Hi Andy, Great start on both scapes looking forward to your updates. I love the jungle look one of my fave looks.

Thanks Roy!

Is that H pin on the top of the DW wicked looking plant once established and will give shade to the Anubias below.

No mate. It's Bolbitis.

I Cannot wait to see your Wabi-Kusa , Any Q just ask mate 😉

Thanks! Pretty sure I'm gonna be asking.

 

[Andy D]

imo the first tank would benefit greatly from a tonne of moss, to age the rocks and help out the shrimp 🙂

You are right. It definitely needs more greenery and maybe some smaller rocks. It is very much a work in progress. What moss would you recommend?

 

[Greenfinger2]

Hi Andy, Bolbitis Nice 😉

Sorry to but in on the Moss on the Rock Fiss fiss and more fiss

 

[Andy D]

Cheers Roy.

Am I gonna need to tie that on?

 

[Aqua360]

You are right. It definitely needs more greenery and maybe some smaller rocks. It is very much a work in progress. What moss would you recommend?

I love weeping moss, or Xmas; but even Java would look fab imo. Love those scapers tanks, wish I'd had the chance to set mine up when I had one...ended up moving it on 🙁

 

[Greenfinger2]

Cheers Roy.

Am I gonna need to tie that on?

Hi Andy, As its lava rock you can just poke the moss in the holes and it will spread out from there 😉

 

[Andy D]

Hi Andy, As its lava rock you can just poke the moss in the holes and it will spread out from there 😉

I was hoping you were going to say that!

 

[tim]

Cheers Roy.

Am I gonna need to tie that on?

If you can remove the lava rock Andy, Fissidens attaches well if you chop/blend it up with a little water, spread it over the rocks and give it a few weeks emersed, great coverage form a small amount of moss, great tanks btw look forward to watching them progress.

 

[Andy D]

If I didn't have shrimp in the tank already I would just drain it and then use the DSM to attach the moss. This may still be the best option. The pain with this is going to be getting the shrimp out and keeping them somewhere else.

I could remove the rocks but I am slightly reluctant as I just got them in a position I like...

What if I drop the water level to uncover most of the rock and stuff small bits of moss in all the crevices? Is it simply gonna float off when I fill the tank back up?

I can picture it now covered in moss and think it would look great.