nano tank on a large scale

Hi Folks,

Ok so Im planning ahead and looking at at least attempting to do a large nano project! Sounds almost crazy but still something Im keen to do.

Right the idea would be to have circa 450-500 litre tank and to fill it with lots of small micro fish.
Im aware it could take a long time to build up sufficient numbers to make it look anyway impressive but I think Im willing to persist with it.

Im not a fan of the bigger fish and have always been a smaller fish fan.
Im thinking some nice bogwood,with some moss attached, and lots of nano type additions, even shrimp.
It would probably take forever to fill but I have to consider planning for it like any other tank. Not sure what substrate to use yet.

Firstly, I want to avoid going down the Co2 route, so therefore I want to have something to grow but nothing thats too demanding. Any ideas ? and as bad as I am, Ive never had sucess with moss either!

In terms of lightening, I suppose Im not sure yet what type, whether T5's or LEDS.

Filteration is still in the process, Im considering a sump option given that the tank will be a custom build and its probably the best option esp for potential marine down the line etc..

Now here is the fun part! What type of fish will I go for. It going to be small fish...I will get some cardinals and indeed they may be the larger of the fish believe it or not.
So does anyone wanna give me some options available at to what fish I could use. I would like some galaxy rasboras, indeed there are several micro rasbora options out there. boraras brigittae etc, some ember tetras, maybe some blue-eyes,sparking gouramis etc..the options are numerbous, albeit I will be trying to ensure they are suitable to the PH etc.. Im generally lucky as my PH is around 6.5 so many fish will be fine in it.
I very much like the look of the pygmy corys,and will be adding lots of them hopefully.
I have some existing hatchetfish at present,and would add to this if possible. (just hope the sump doesnt swallow them).

So folks, I'll be looking for some advise and help along the way, might even need a hand getting the tank in....the Cork lads can starting making their excuses now early! looking forward to hearing from ye.

Gavin

Hi Gavin,
I think that's a deadly idea - I'm very much a fan of the smaller fish myself and have no desire to keep anything bigger than mbuna / geos . a 500 litre with big shoals of small fish sounds like fun !

I'm an expert at melting plants - but easy to keep and grow like giant vallis, cabomba seem to thrive for me, with or without a bit of easycarbo. I find most crypts are indestructible as well on the same (lack of) regime.

As you know, you'll get loads of excellent suggestions for the fish - I've always been a fan of Glowlight tetra - bullet proof and underrated in a shoal !

Hi Gavin,About 5 years ago I got a bargain on the "pink pages" in the Evening Echo a 6x2x2 (590 litres) for €150. it was to be a fully planted Discus Tank or home to a couple of pairs of CA Cichlids. However when I had the tank set up and cycled in the living room, my partner Breda decided she was sick of looking at the empty tank and proceeded to transfer the fish from our 4ft into the "swimming pool" as she called it, I came home from work one day to see my tank was populated by Mollies, Guppies, Platies and a few Cory's swimming around in aquatic utopia, after a while I warmed to the idea of a large community tank so I now have various livebearer young popping up all over the place, the cory's hoover the sand and I have a shoal of 17 rummy nose which look great flying up and down the tank in line. I have loads of Java Fern some of which you are welcome to, it grows all over the place even though at the moment I only have about 90 watts of lighting.

I think the sump could be a problem with small fish. But that is the only problem (apart from choice).

Don't stick with a 'biotope' as such.....too restrictive and boring, and not needed.
But having fish from around the globe all requiring similar water conditions is not actually that hard.

Assuming food getting around the tank is not a problem (noting the firs 3 fish on my list), then:

Chocolate Gourami; Liquorice Gourami; Weitzmanni Tetras; various species of Splashing Tetra; Pencil Fish; various species of hatchets (makes a nice set-up); Emperor and Cardinal Tetras; some coccina clads of Bettas (interesting for messing around in them dark regions of the tank so long as you can get food to them); Clown Killies.....to mention a few.

Yep. I like big tanks with small fish.

Oooh....someone just whispered to me if he can have a holiday in your tank: I said "No, Mr Wolf"


ian

Fishowner wrote:

Hi Folks,

Right the idea would be to have circa 450-500 litre tank and to fill it with lots of small micro fish.

Not sure what substrate to use yet.

Hows it going Gavin, was wondering the very same thing today and gave Dave "MrJackDempsey" a phone call and he said to get John Innes No.3 compost and cover it with silica sand or gravel, dropped over to B&Q and picked up a 20 liter bag for 5.25 euro
Dave runs an 8 foot heavily planted tank and knows his stuff
Video of some of his babies here

igmillichip wrote:

I think the sump could be a problem with small fish. But that is the only problem (apart from choice).

Don't stick with a 'biotope' as such.....too restrictive and boring, and not needed.
But having fish from around the globe all requiring similar water conditions is not actually that hard.

Assuming food getting around the tank is not a problem (noting the firs 3 fish on my list), then:

Chocolate Gourami; Liquorice Gourami; Weitzmanni Tetras; various species of Splashing Tetra; Pencil Fish; various species of hatchets (makes a nice set-up); Emperor and Cardinal Tetras; some coccina clads of Bettas (interesting for messing around in them dark regions of the tank so long as you can get food to them); Clown Killies.....to mention a few.

Yep. I like big tanks with small fish.

Oooh....someone just whispered to me if he can have a holiday in your tank: I said "No, Mr Wolf"


ian

I sometimes have to fish the odd Molly or Guppy out of the overflow box or the sump but its no problem really

I love this idea, its something I have thought about a few times, but im waiting until i have my own house before investing in a tank of that size.
But very interested in how yours turns out.
Cillian