Getting back into the game

[Qs Evolution]

Hey guys, just needed some opinions. I used to have quite a couple of planted nano tanks a couple years ago, I've been wanting to get another one. I've been thinking about getting the MrAqua 12 Looong. What do you think about this tank for it being rimless and with no top? I was thinking of stocking it with some celestial pearl danios, and some cherry shrimp. Nothing to special, will the shrimp do fine in a tank without a top? Will the fish jump out? what's the best light fixture for this setup? Substrate? Thanks!!

[Qs Evolution]

I want something similar to this, I just don't want to have to mess with co2

[mistahoo]

Rimless setups are awesome. Tops or no tops, fish won't jump out unless they have a reason to (i.e. bad water conditions). Shrimp on the other hand sometimes just jumps out of water for no reason, but I haven't experienced this with my neo shrimps (ask mnemenoi/Roy about his cherry shrimp lmao).

[mistahoo]

No CO2 is fine for a low tech setup, but IMO the beautiful colors plants can truly give while being in optimal conditions is amazing. Optimal being with CO2 and proper ferts being dosed.

[Qs Evolution]

What type of substrate is good now a days?

[Austy16414]

I love my 12 long, but rimless tanks are such a hassle. Evaporation takes a toll on you over time.

As far as lighting, I recommend hanging whatever you use above the tank, as opposed to something resting above the water

[Qs Evolution]

I love my 12 long, but rimless tanks are such a hassle. Evaporation takes a toll on you over time.

As far as lighting, I recommend hanging whatever you use above the tank, as opposed to something resting above the water

Do you have a picture of your setup?

[Austy16414]

The only pic I have right now. This was before equipment and fish, as well as before I wrecked it with plants lol I'll get another pic later today so you can see my mess

[Qs Evolution]

The only pic I have right now. This was before equipment and fish, as well as before I wrecked it with plants lol I'll get another pic later today so you can see my mess

What substrate do you recommend for plants? What'd you use?

[Austy16414]

I didn't plan ahead well.. I used aragonite lol

If I could go back I would use PFS, but I don't keep anything plant-wise that's too tricky

[mistahoo]

There's so many different substrates you could use for planted tanks. Most low tech plants aren't too picky with substrate. It's when you get into high tech/lighting and more rare and expensive plants that you'll have to worry about substrates. I'm too lazy to list out all the substrates you can use, but here's a recent thread with a good number of substrates listed out by Roy.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?66873-Need-suggestions-advices-on-planted-tank-setup

[mistahoo]

I love my 12 long, but rimless tanks are such a hassle. Evaporation takes a toll on you over time.

As far as lighting, I recommend hanging whatever you use above the tank, as opposed to something resting above the water

+1 but there's ways around it. Get an ATO (auto top off) system to help with evaporation. Definitely hang the lights vs sitting on the tank. IMO lights sitting on a rimless tank takes away from the whole appeal.

[Qs Evolution]

Do you still have that driftwood you were selling?
if so shoot me a text 8323820642

[mnemenoi]

There are a ton of options for substrates. Really depends on color, grain size and stonework or Ph altering affect you desire. carpeting is difficult to insanely hard in low tech systems. Less is really more with lighting this. A single T5 would be awesome, but likely never find one that would be that thin. Probably have to go LED, maybe a Ray (not a 2 or planted, they are potent and really need injected CO2) or a weaker Beamswork fixture. CPD's will eat shrimplets and even occasionally attack adults. They are notorious for not doing well with most dwarf shrimp except Amanos and Fans. I've never had any jump in my experience though. CPD's and neos both love our tap, so any of the Flourites or Eco-Completes should work fine with either.

[Qs Evolution]

There are a ton of options for substrates. Really depends on color, grain size and stonework or Ph altering affect you desire. carpeting is difficult to insanely hard in low tech systems. Less is really more with lighting this. A single T5 would be awesome, but likely never find one that would be that thin. Probably have to go LED, maybe a Ray (not a 2 or planted, they are potent and really need injected CO2) or a weaker Beamswork fixture. CPD's will eat shrimplets and even occasionally attack adults. They are notorious for not doing well with most dwarf shrimp except Amanos and Fans. I've never had any jump in my experience though. CPD's and neos both love our tap, so any of the Flourites or Eco-Completes should work fine with either.

Thanks for all the info!! I'll just have to make a separate tank for my CPS's because I really want some they're my fave. Do you know of homeless aquatics is still in the business I remember I bought mine from him