5g Fluval Chi Nano (Updated 06.26.13)

[mistahoo]

Oh and I also found a cheap blue clip on light fixture that uses a 60w light bulb (the ones that you use in household lamps?) for $4 when I was out in Damon helping out my parents. It was an impulse buy, but maybe I could put it to use for this tank?

[mistahoo]

that's cool, i have 2 yellow ones in my 6g planted nano with manzanita, yellow shrimps, and chili rasboras. the animals are all yellow/orange/red against a black/green background... it looks awesome.

I don't think I saw that tank while I was there. I'm planning to have blue/red(?)/black/white against a black/green background with a salt and pepper substrate. Gonna go over the livestock list with the boss tomorrow since she's back from NY. Hopefully I find out some more nice looking fish while I'm waiting on plants and shrimps.

[allysangels]

I like the ones that you have. It's just that they get pretty big and will throw off the color.

that's cool, i have 2 yellow ones in my 6g planted nano with manzanita, yellow shrimps, and chili rasboras. the animals are all yellow/orange/red against a black/green background... it looks awesome.

[mistahoo]

Any of the Nerites/tylos would work, but some do consume plants so.... Assassins are terrific.

Our Psuedomugils are in a topless 10 gallon and I have never had one jump. We have a lot of floating plants (mats of Riccia) though so that likely limits them.

I don't have any assassins, but I do have 3 nerites and 3 tylos

[mnemenoi]

Any of the Nerites/tylos would work, but some do consume plants so.... Assassins are terrific.

Our Psuedomugils are in a topless 10 gallon and I have never had one jump. We have a lot of floating plants (mats of Riccia) though so that likely limits them.

[mistahoo]

the spiketop apple snails in my 6ft tank wont eat shrimp, and i've got a couple that are yellow with purple feet. everyone ive talked to complains about the edge tanks and their small openings.

I like the ones that you have. It's just that they get pretty big and will throw off the color.

[allysangels]

What kinds of snails could I get that won't eat shrimp?

the spiketop apple snails in my 6ft tank wont eat shrimp, and i've got a couple that are yellow with purple feet. everyone ive talked to complains about the edge tanks and their small openings.

[mistahoo]

Since you mentioned going lidless, keep in mind that pseudomugil gertrudae are top swimmers and may jump. Consider netting?

I can add plastic mesh as a lid or lower the water level if need be.

[mistahoo]

What kinds of snails could I get that won't eat shrimp?

[Parzival]

Since you mentioned going lidless, keep in mind that pseudomugil gertrudae are top swimmers and may jump. Consider netting?

[Parzival]

I was wondering how the Edge would do in a long term manner. Do you think the 12 gallon model would fare any better?

I think the 12 gallon would be significantly worse.

[mistahoo]

At least your tank has an open top. That is the one thing I hate about my Edge. It is hard to do any maintenance through the tiny opening on the top. I started with a nice gradient from front to back and now it's a hot mess. Also, the plants at the edges are leaning in toward the light source.

Yeah I'm liking the open top look on it. The little island that was supposed to be there looks cool and all, but in the end, I think it just gets in the way.

[mistahoo]

2" is probably okay for crypts or small swords. stem plants might appreciate a little more since you have to bury a portion of the stem for them to root.

Most planted tanks do best with 2-4" (I slope toward the rear of the tank) to allow for rooting and more natural movement of the plants. Most of my tanks are 2" minimum and gravitate to 3" in the deeper spots though...

Okay I went with 4" but it looked a bit funny, so I moved the substrate around to make the back of the tank 3" and the front 2" and it looks a whole lot better! Added water to the tank and going to let it sit for a while.

[mnemenoi]

I was wondering how the Edge would do in a long term manner. Do you think the 12 gallon model would fare any better?

[Parzival]

At least your tank has an open top. That is the one thing I hate about my Edge. It is hard to do any maintenance through the tiny opening on the top. I started with a nice gradient from front to back and now it's a hot mess. Also, the plants at the edges are leaning in toward the light source.