7 Gallon Desktop Shrimp Tank

[pm]

Well since there is yet another planted tank meeting coming up to which I cannot attend   , I thought it was time to update/share my own tanks online   .  Here is my new 7 gallon Cad Lights shrimp tank:

This tank will be for CRS/CBS (and maybe some other shrimp types).  Here are a few pics while cycling (10 day difference in the pics)... we will have to see where it goes from here.

Info on the tank setup:
Tank: 7 gal low-iron glass (CAD Lights ZEN tank)
Lights: IKEA desk lamp with 23 watt bulb (currently, but will change to 13 watts soon)
CO2: DIY fed into filter intake.  Will probably quit CO2 if shrimp don't react well.
Filter: Eheim 2213 with DIY acrylic pipes
Substrate: Netlea Lambo
Hardscape: Wood

Still a work in progress, but I like what has been done so far.

Starting to have some issues with the 23 watt light... HC pearls like crazy... so much so that it sometimes uproots itself because of the bubbles, but my fissidens fontanus (phoenix moss) is showing some signs of stress (but could also be the lower pH, which is 6 or lower (API test kit does not go lower than 6!).

[daworldisblack]

Very cool start Peter! The moss could be showing signs of stress due to the temp of the water as I see the heater. Generally they seem to like cooler waters but a fans of light and co2. pH is an interesting theory though, might have to look that up.

[exv152]

Starting to have some issues with the 23 watt light... HC pearls like crazy... so much so that it sometimes uproots itself because of the bubbles, but my fissidens fontanus (phoenix moss) is showing some signs of stress (but could also be the lower pH, which is 6 or lower (API test kit does not go lower than 6!).

I have the exact same light on a 7g starfire cube with pressurized co2 and it works great. I would probably do a dry start for the HC. I found it has a much better chance with the lighter substrates like aquasoil. The other thing I like about this size setup is if any algae begins to rear its head, a simple dose of excel seems to cure it quick. Like what you have so far!

[pm]

Thanks for the comments guys. 

I agree that it would have been better to dry start the tank, but I wanted to get it going ASAP.  I was fearful when I read that Netlea Lambo may or may not release ammonia during the first month.  I read conflicting information on this.  I did detect elevated ammonia during the first week (0.5ppm I think), but it is now showing at 0.25ppm.  The thing is that my test kit shows distilled water at 0.25ppm, so I am not sure if the test is still good (although it was definitely more green than yellow during the first week).

Either way, my nitrite is 0 (note that I did use an established filter), so I am hoping I can stock soon.

[charlie]

Hey Peter, any updates?

[pm]

The summer took its toll on the tank.  I will post a pic of how it looked when it was at its best.  Unfortunately, now all the HC has been removed (with vacation and other time away I let it overgrow; it got lanky and pulled itself out of the substrate).

The shrimp have been breeding nicely though, and an advantage to the bare foreground is being able to see the smaller shrimp.

Not sure of the future of this tank.  It was originally on my desk, which was great, but has now been moved to our living room.  It is no longer in the best viewing location, so unless I can find a better spot, its days may be numbered (or at the very least converted to a low maintenance tank).

[pm]

The best shot I have (End of June)

[bettabreeder]

Beautiful tank PM. Sorry to hear it didnt make it thru the summer

[exv152]

+2 for the nice tank. I down graded my 7g cube too to a low tech setup. Made it much easier to manage while I was away for a couple of weeks.

[charlie]

That`s too bad Peter, it was a nice Nano.
Regards