Nano Planted Tank

[Dominus]

I am building my own tank (another thread in diy section) and had a few questions. The measurements for the tank are 18 inches long by 12 inches deep by 9 inches tall, I know these are odd measurements but that is why I am making my own!

But down to business, this is going to be a pretty serious planted tank and my question is lighting? What can I do for it? It is going to be a rimless tank and I really like the look of rimless with a clip on light but I cant seem to find any that put out a good wattage. Anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking maybe of doing two clip ons but I am not trying to break the bank so if I can do better with an t5 for 60 bucks (cost of two 13 watt clip on's) or less then Ill go with that.

The plants I am going to have, hmmmm this tank being so short is basically shrimp sanctuary with maybe a few pygme cories to go with my red cherry shrimp, I am hoping that the shrimp will breed that is why I am not doing any other fish (protect the fry). So basically I am going to need some help with this one!

Thanks all!

 

[mfdrookie516]

There's a guy on here selling the perfect light for that tank IMO. http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f25/archaea-27w-power-compact-light-fixture-153185.html

That's the same light (not sure if it's the same wattage) that fort uses on his nano tanks IIRC...

 

[Dominus]

Thanks rookie! That is exactly what I was looking for! I wanted something close to forts light but nothing was coming up!

 

[mfdrookie516]

That's also a good price IMO. He just bought it a couple months back. I started to get one, but they were $70 back in March.

 

[Dominus]

So with this light fixture what would my tank be considered? low light?

 

[mfdrookie516]

I'd say that would be more in the higher end of medium. I think fort would know better, as I get all confused when it comes to lighting small tanks.

Do you have any scaping plans? Are you going to go for the nature aquarium look?

 

[Dominus]

Thinking flourite as a substrate and for the plants I want a kind of forrest of sword like plants that the shrimp will walk under and around and the cories can swim through, a driftwood piece and hopefully a sheet rock cave but I don't know where to get the supplies to make it.