This is an example of a low maintenance, low light tank.
-
Tank: 40 gallon breeder
-
Set up since: October 2007
-
Substrate: SoilMaster Select (an infield conditioner) plus a small amount of Eco Complete, topped with red flint gravel
-
Light: Aquatic Life T5-HO (78 watts total)
-
Fertilization: nothing in the water; root tabs as needed for plants; house water is softened with potassium so tank receives some K in water changes
-
Filtration: Rena Filstar XP3 plus 2 MaxiJet 400’s with sponges
-
Heater: inline Hydor 300
-
Plants: cryptocorynes (balansae, green and red wendtii), small ozelot sword, large and small anubias, hygrophila, java moss, lace plant, red tiger lotus
-
Fish: Angelfish, German Blue Rams, Harlequin Rasboras, Otocinclus, Panda Cories, Dwarf Bristlenoses
-
CO2: None, but dose Flourish Excel daily
-
Water changes: 30-40% weekly
Although the SoilMaster caused us to have high phosphorus levels for the first year, algae has always been very minimal. We have had several layouts over the years, as driftwood has disintegrated and as we have experimented with what plants do well in this tank, but overall, the tank has been very enjoyable for us, with very little work.
|