Freshwater Invert Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

Kribensis_2004 · 11-22-2006, 03:57 AM

I just want to run a idea that i have been working for the past two days by you guys.
I want to set up a 2.5 gallon aquarium thats would only house inverts. The aquarium would sit on my desk and have a hang on back filter and would use some of my 29 gravel and water to reduce the time of the cycle.
The aquarium would have as inhabitants
2-3 freshwater clams
6-8 cherry shrimp
4-6 ghost shrimp
And some sort of snail (not sheer what type right now)

The aquarium would not have lights so there for i would be using low light plants.

zenkatydid · 11-22-2006, 05:19 AM

with no lights at all, you'll probably only get away with java fern/moss - unless your overhead lights are super bright.

but i think it sounds neat!

BrianNY · 11-22-2006, 06:46 AM

I kind of like the idea too. Here's a suggestion. You don't need a filter in this type of aquarium if it's properly planted. You do need enough light to grow some hardy stem plants such as elodea. The plants will take up the nitrates and weekly pwcs will suffice with the rest.

Lighting the tank will make it more enjoyable for you to view. The shrimp will love the plants. Should be a great tank.

toddnbecka · 11-23-2006, 12:30 AM

I'd recommend a sponge filter and a good desk lamp for lighting. Clams are filter feeders, and likely wouldn't last long in such a small tank. You would also be polluting the water trying to keep them fed, and nano tanks are difficult to maintain good water quality to begin with.
Best bet would be to start with plants, snails, and a few ghost shrimp to see how it works out. No major loss if it crashes.

Esra · 11-23-2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

No major loss if it crashes.

LOL, I bet the inhabitants wouldn't agree with you there!

toddnbecka · 11-23-2006, 01:10 AM

Snails will survive 'most anything, and ghost shrimp are about as inexpensive "guinea pigs" as you can find.

Kribensis_2004 · 11-23-2006, 05:24 AM

i tend to disagree with the clams i know they are filter feeders and i really think i could do it. i would want them to take out whats suspended in the water collum and then would take there waste products out with a little vac of gravel and partial water changes . i think if i did it right i could do this kind of aquarium and my idea is not to have anything die on me even if it is a small cost. put a price on life because i really cant, if the smallest paretical died most of the ecosystem would die with it.

BrianNY · 11-23-2006, 05:56 AM

I like your thinking Kribensis. The issue of a natural aquarium is a balanced ecosystem. Plants provide the oxygen and remove the nitrates. There have been a few threads posted on small natural tanks. No filters needed. You can do it too.

Mosaic · 11-23-2006, 10:32 AM

I have the same tank you're looking to set up (minus the clams. I'm looking though!). I don't have a filter, but it's heavily planted with a lot of fast growers with 13 watts of light. But it looks great and it's the most successful out of all my tanks. I think the light is a good investment. Mine was only $20, but you could even use a regular clamp on desk light if you already have one.

I also have a teeny tank with two ramshorns and some hornwort, with just ambient light from the room. It might be one of the only plants you could use with no light over the tank, but the shrimp won't be happy, since the plant just drifts in the water column.

Either way, it's definitely doable if you plan properly.

Kribensis_2004 · 11-30-2006, 08:47 PM

ok i got the aquarium and i also have a aquaclrear 20 so i am on my way
yaaaaaaaaaa

11-22-2006, 03:57 AM	#1
Kribensis_2004 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 34	Freshwater Invert Aquarium I just want to run a idea that i have been working for the past two days by you guys. I want to set up a 2.5 gallon aquarium thats would only house inverts. The aquarium would sit on my desk and have a hang on back filter and would use some of my 29 gravel and water to reduce the time of the cycle. The aquarium would have as inhabitants 2-3 freshwater clams 6-8 cherry shrimp 4-6 ghost shrimp And some sort of snail (not sheer what type right now) The aquarium would not have lights so there for i would be using low light plants.

11-22-2006, 05:19 AM	#2
zenkatydid Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 765 Images: 3	with no lights at all, you'll probably only get away with java fern/moss - unless your overhead lights are super bright. but i think it sounds neat! __________________ 50gal planted - yoyo loaches, BNs, SAE, odessa barbs 28gal planted - sparkling gouramis, dwarf cories (hastatus, habrosus, pygmaeus) 5gal planted - betta, otos 5gal planted - glass shrimp, CRS

11-23-2006, 10:32 AM	#9
Mosaic Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 646 Images: 3	I have the same tank you're looking to set up (minus the clams. I'm looking though!). I don't have a filter, but it's heavily planted with a lot of fast growers with 13 watts of light. But it looks great and it's the most successful out of all my tanks. I think the light is a good investment. Mine was only $20, but you could even use a regular clamp on desk light if you already have one. I also have a teeny tank with two ramshorns and some hornwort, with just ambient light from the room. It might be one of the only plants you could use with no light over the tank, but the shrimp won't be happy, since the plant just drifts in the water column. Either way, it's definitely doable if you plan properly. __________________ I just want my planted tanks to be perfect. Is that so much to ask? 55g: (Mostly) African riverine species: Alestes Chaperi, breeding pair of Kribs, and rhino pleco 30g: Newly established reef tank 10g: Planted but fishless 5g: Unplanted with various snail species 2.5g: Heavily planted with betta.

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11-22-2006, 06:46 AM	#3
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	I kind of like the idea too. Here's a suggestion. You don't need a filter in this type of aquarium if it's properly planted. You do need enough light to grow some hardy stem plants such as elodea. The plants will take up the nitrates and weekly pwcs will suffice with the rest. Lighting the tank will make it more enjoyable for you to view. The shrimp will love the plants. Should be a great tank.

11-23-2006, 12:30 AM	#4
toddnbecka Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 750	I'd recommend a sponge filter and a good desk lamp for lighting. Clams are filter feeders, and likely wouldn't last long in such a small tank. You would also be polluting the water trying to keep them fed, and nano tanks are difficult to maintain good water quality to begin with. Best bet would be to start with plants, snails, and a few ghost shrimp to see how it works out. No major loss if it crashes.

11-23-2006, 01:10 AM	#6
toddnbecka Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 750	Snails will survive 'most anything, and ghost shrimp are about as inexpensive "guinea pigs" as you can find.

11-23-2006, 05:24 AM	#7
Kribensis_2004 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 34	i tend to disagree with the clams i know they are filter feeders and i really think i could do it. i would want them to take out whats suspended in the water collum and then would take there waste products out with a little vac of gravel and partial water changes . i think if i did it right i could do this kind of aquarium and my idea is not to have anything die on me even if it is a small cost. put a price on life because i really cant, if the smallest paretical died most of the ecosystem would die with it.

11-23-2006, 05:56 AM	#8
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	I like your thinking Kribensis. The issue of a natural aquarium is a balanced ecosystem. Plants provide the oxygen and remove the nitrates. There have been a few threads posted on small natural tanks. No filters needed. You can do it too.

11-30-2006, 08:47 PM	#10
Kribensis_2004 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 34	ok i got the aquarium and i also have a aquaclrear 20 so i am on my way yaaaaaaaaaa