(Part 2) Top products from r/nanotank

Hi :)

I was going to say good choice on the Marineland tank. I would say depending on what you want to put in there you might want to make some mods.

first with this hidden filtration tank, you will want to set the water pump to the LOWEST setting... because of the footprint water gets pushed around quite quickly stressing fish with long fins out... i.e. betta which is really good with this tank if you can get the water flow just right (they love swimming up and down and playing).

Second if you want shrimp, note the vents in the back of this tank are large enough for them to crawl in... so you might need to improvise and add a 'slab' of filter floss in front of the filter tray that comes with the tank... it gets a tiny bit tricky for the 5 gallon because the tank is quite tall...

finally tall tanks or square tanks do limit your choices of fish to less active nano fish. As with shrimp, nano fish will need to have filter floss added in the compartment behind the return vents. Fish like tetras would not go well in this tank since they like swimming over long distances - prefer long tanks.

Your heater doesn't appear to have the ability to set the temp. Not sure where you are geographically but assuming your room temp is around 20-23c your heater probably set in at about 24 to 25c. Either way a pre-calibrated to 'tropical fish' heater limits your choices in fish. i.e. red cherry shrimp can do ranges between 16c - 27c but seem to thrive in 22c. your heater choice might make them uncomfortable. In addition, while the Marineland instructions say don't put the heater in the back, you can if you know what you are doing - such as pushing the heater down lower and using proper suction cups so it sticks to the wall and doesn't touch anything such as the plastic pieces. The heater I would recommend which is slightly more pricey but comes quite recommended is the Hydor Theo 25w.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hydor-25W-Submersible-Aquarium-Heater/dp/B0006JLPG8

Also I would say skip the air pump, since the tank you added has a nozzle that can be angled at a wall in a way which creates
signficant surface tension and proper oxygenation in the tank. the way the glass lid fits creates a pretty nice fit so the pump cables coming out would just detract from the clean looks. If you put the air pump in the back compartment, its pointless since you can't see the 'cool bubbles' and also reduces the amount of volume of water in the back. From a filtration standpoint, you want more water to pass through the back than less for better filtration. Hence I recommended the Hydor since the heater is extremely short for an adjustable thermostat heater.

Hope that helps! A bit long I know.

EDIT: another thing, i noticed you are looking at a 50w heater... that is totally not necessary, unless you keep your room way below 20c and need to keep your at 30c. Also from experience, i find the tank circulates the water fast enough that I find the tank warmer than the thermostat on the heater. It could be a faulty thermostat, but the heater works perfectly fine in my long tanks (matching to my digital thermometer without any issue).

I've found a few things that could do the trick. I still feel like something smaller would be more ideal, but a filter would now be preferred.

I'm tempted to buy one of each and see the performance differences. I will let you guys know what I get. I literally have to wait for my wife to give me my allowance on Friday, ha!

Hydor Pico Evo-Mag 180 Circulation Pump with Magnet Mount, 180 GPH

Penn Plax Cascade 170 Internal Filter for Aquariums

Govine Aquariums Underwater Mini Filter 3-Gallon

Aquarium Internal Filter For Fish Tank Multi-Function Submersible 3/8/16W NEW

Mini Aquarium Power Filter Waterfall Water Pump Fish Tank Hang On Slim Filter

I'm also looking into building my own. Alibaba (or a similar store) has some tiny motors that I could attach outside and then I could try to figure out a magnetic solution. A 3D printer setup would be more ideal for something like that and I don't have one. I'm still pondering this idea, I don't want to end up over my head.

Yeah, I'd figure you'd have until October. Then you'd have to do something to ensure they have heat. If you went up just slightly to a bigger tank, you could have a heater in it then. And really 1 gallon is not large enough for shrimp. I have two 2.5 gallon aquariums for shrimp. I would not go lower than that. Shrimp are very sensitive to fluctuations and even weekly water changes should be be done slowly so as not to shock them. That is really the smallest I'd go. If you go that route, you can grab a 5 watt Cobalt Aquatics heater (better than any other out there at that size).

And you'll still need a filter. You can either get a tiny [HOB filter] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HV2ZKEU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) or a small sponge filter with a separate airpump (so that may depend on space on your desk).

Oops, just noticed your other questions. So, if you want to go with the hang on back filter I mentioned above, you'll get a little spongy cover for the water intake and you'll probably be ok with it. However if you decided you didn't want an HOB, but a separate sponge filter with air pump, the Tetra Whisper 10 air pump is quieter than any of the other small air pumps you'll find out there. And here's a nice [sponge filter] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LMQCW2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1). You'll also need a little bit of airline hose to connect the two if you decide to go the sponge route. If you go the HOB route you can still have a [prefilter sponge] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LL32RY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and this Fluval one actually is precut and totally fits this HOB tube!

Anyway, good luck!

this is my light.

I fought stem rotting issues in this tank for months, after i switched to a more higher output light, everything starting blooming like the you see here.

This is non-CO2 injected, I dose 2.5 ML potassium(K) (API Leaf zone) biweekly. and I do monthly 15% water changes.

TDS is maintained between 230-260, I change water when it hits 300 to bring it down to ideally 240~ish, it takes about a month for TDS to build back up to 300, hence the monthly water change.

To be fully honest, I reached the point where everything is pretty much self sufficient. Any plant you see in the Gif, I trim off will bounce back with better more spectacular growth than before, it's at the point where its even better than my CO2 injected tank, and I am just baffled.

I told you everything I did for this tank since the beginning but I still have no idea what specifically I did that made it this way. But i really do think high filtration and high lighting played a big part in the stability of it, I can't prove it tho.

This is a great filter and small enough that it would probably hook easily over the lip even though the tank is round, unless you're planning to use something really tall and narrow.

If you're looking for an external filter, I've heard great things about [this nano canister filter] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DIRPU) thought I haven't actually used it myself. Might be too much power, but I think it's the smallest canister on the market.

You might also consider going air pump powered, there are some nice small air powered filters like [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000634IYU). You could also consider [this mini undergravel filter] (https://www.bigalspets.com/lee-s-round-under-gravel-bowl-filter-large.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o2&scid=scplp53073&sc_intid=53073&gclid=CjwKEAjwvr3KBRD_i_Lz6cihrDASJADUkGCaTTOFNe6J9_Z6EqRUbX8hjIOqi6ntn6gkZNujK11ziRoCKP_w_wcB) (and just ditch the fake plant) but I know most folks tend to stay away from UGFs in planted tanks.

O wow don’t even think about this style of pump.

How many watt is that motor is strong enough?

I saw what I think is the same one in amazon and some ppl mentioned is weak about 5watts.

I also found this one way more $$

Penn Plax Cascade 500 GPH Canister Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DJIQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zDy8Cb8B215N4

Not sure how many watts it the cascade.

Or you say that SunSun is all I need?

Most local fish stores will have pre-cut intake sponges that will fit any standard HOB filter. Like an aquaclear 20 or whatever. I actually bought filter sponge from my local store, cut it into a strip about 4 inches long, folded it in half and sewed the edges (leaving the opposite end of the fold un-sewn). Simply slide onto the intake.

or buy something like this

I'm not OP but the back looks exactly like mine so I'm guessing it's a Marineland 3g ContourMarineland 3g Contour.

Ya that heater sucks lol

Try this one: Hydor 50W Submersible Aquarium Heater - Original Theo https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00061UQ6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zRR3BbSX83K84


I have three of them when I used to have three nano tanks

Edit: Oops I just read that you have a 2.5g. Depending on the room temp, it might be too much for the 2.5g. I used to have one in a 3 gallon and during the summer, it would def be too hot for the tank and I would just turn it off. Not ideal. Sorry for the shoddy suggestion after all!

https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-2-5-Gallon-Montana-Brushed/dp/B000RMTG3S/

Target and Walmart have cheap offerings as well.

Cube:

https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Professional-ADB11441-Aquarium/dp/B00BUFTE5Q/

For a larger tank I use this from Amazon - Chef Craft Measurer, 1-Ounce

and these Pipettes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QZF7JA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485218915&sr=8-1&keywords=zoo+med+10w+bulb&dpPl=1&dpID=41sQLjx5auL&ref=plSrch

Bubbler can be found here btw: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00511P8CS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's an Acrylic softball display case

I use this filter

And this pump for all of my tanks from 10gallon to a 3 gallon bowl

Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit, Filter, LED Light, Float Glass For Maximum Viewing 3.4 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069RR2CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2v9VBb4BFEGJ7

Keeping Marimo there is the best choice, jarrarium without animals is a second choice, see Jarrarium subreddit for details.

This not a nano tank, not even a pico, but a subgallon pico. With them the main problem is hardware (it's too big) and tanks without hardware have to be low bioload and way larger, heavily planted.

There should be physical space for shrimp to swim (they are swimming, a lot) and fully grown neocaridina female is more than 1" long, this is without counting in antennae. Water parameters are manageable, if follow pico tank keeping routine.

You should be able to get any wide larger tank (LFS or online), vase (thrift store) or container (9L transparent plastic shoe box), at least 2.5 gal volume. But even in 3 gal, they overpopulate it fast.