Pico Cube RESTART

[Puckhog429]

So out of impulse About an hour ago I decided that I just didn't like the way my tank was. It is a 4.3 gallon 10 by 10 by 10 cube. Heres a pic. Unfortunately when I had it setup I never took a picture of it So i had it dirted with a cap of pfs just like the rest of my tanks. This is the one of the biggest reasons I took it down, im getting sick of looking at white sand. I also just wasnt happy with the plants and just the way everything looked. I had crypt lucens, blyxa, and green myrio. For lighting I have a Finnex FugeRay-R (Im not really familiar with par so maybe some advice on that would be helpful). So what I really want is just some inspiration based on the lighting I have and a dark substrate ( even dirt capped with black sand might work). For the substrate I know a guy that would give me some ada soil ( if thats any good? Lol ). Also For fauna in the tank I am keeping a red halfmoon betta and rcs. For ferts I am doing excel. I want to keep the tank low to medium tech.
Thanks for the upcoming help!


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[Puckhog429]

Just wanted to add that I have multiple pieces of mopani wood that I can use in this tank. But I want something different. That thought of something different brings up rocks. So if I use rocks what are some good looking kinds that are also cheap and readily available. Im thinking like iwagumi rocks, not river stones. Im also thinking about doing a carpet. Possibly a fissedens carpet? I like the look of staur. repens but am not sure about the requirements of it.
thanks

 

[Mattfinn]

Just a note with rocks you want to consider the sort of rock you use. A rough rock can potentially tear the fins on your Betta.


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[Mr. Nowhere]

With that light you should be getting medium light.

 

[Puckhog429]

Bump


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[Puckhog429]

So I decided that im going to go with a non dirt substrate. I was looking into fluval stratum and am pretty much sold on it. Is there any comments about it? Also are there any suggestions on a better substrate than this? I could get hold of some cheap ada aquasoil, would this be a better choice? Thanks

 

[Dallascowboys16]

So I decided that im going to go with a non dirt substrate. I was looking into fluval stratum and am pretty much sold on it. Is there any comments about it? Also are there any suggestions on a better substrate than this? I could get hold of some cheap ada aquasoil, would this be a better choice? Thanks

If you have a chance to get cheap aqua soil by all means buy it. I would say it is one of the best pre made planted aquarium substrates. Hard to beat.

 

[Puckhog429]

I will take your advice. When I watch takashi amano videos on youtube he puts additives in with it, they are powdery. Is this necessary. Also what would be the next best option other than aquasoil. I think Ive decided what I want to do for the scape as well. Will post a pic later.
Thanks

 

[Gillie]

He may just be adding extra ferts to the soil to give the plants an extra boost.

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[Puckhog429]

I got the aquasoil


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[Puckhog429]

Ok so I got my aquasoil in with about a quarter inch of power sand underneath it. I started tinkering with some scapes. Im pretty sure I finally have one figured out. (pics will be uploaded below from phone). For plants Im thinking staur repens, glosso capet ( let me know if this would be a viable carpet option with my light, excel, and pps pro (leafzone til i get the pps)), am undecided on a stem plant in the back left corner. For a carpet plant I also have narrow leaf chain sword in my sell tank but am afraid it will get too tall for the size tank. Has anyone used this in such a small tank? if glosso wouldn't work some other options for carpet plants would be great.
Thanks
Puck

 

[Puckhog429]

Here are the pics

Im pretty set on the general layout but am thinking of finding a bigger stone for the back left.

So I took my finnex off the tank thats holding the shrimp for this tank and 4 of the leds arent working! Gargh! I guess Im gonna give finnex an email. It should be fine for now though. Im gonna go ahead and make a plant layout and will post that soon.



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[Fishperson]

Following!

 

[Puckhog429]

Unfortunately finnex only has a 6 month warranty and wont replace or repair it.


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[Puckhog429]

Any info on if the glosso will work?


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[Fishperson]

I dont think so. With that light you would get 40 PAR at substrate if you're lucky beware on this thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189944

Star repens might work but it would be kind of large for a nano carpet.

 

[Puckhog429]

Thats a bummer. Do you think narrow leaf chain sword would look good in such a small tank. I already have some in another tank thats growing pretty good just not sure if it will look right. I guess if i kept it trimmed down enough?
Thanks
Puck


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[Fishperson]

Thats a bummer. Do you think narrow leaf chain sword would look good in such a small tank. I already have some in another tank thats growing pretty good just not sure if it will look right. I guess if i kept it trimmed down enough?
Thanks
Puck


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I don't know much of anything about chain sword. You could still try the glosso but without pressurized co2 I think it would have trouble.

 

[Puckhog429]

Still working on scapes. Hard to find time to set everything up with football practices everyday. I changed my plan a bit. I might just do a nlcs carpet with some stem plants. Possibly green myrio, ludwigia cuba, or ludwigia repens narrow leaf


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[Puckhog429]

Would ar mini grow decent in these conditions?


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