Nano tank idea

[xDestro]

So I was thinking about pulling out the old 1 gallon tank and having a few live plants and shrimp and maybe a tetra or 2 in there just for something on my dresser. Would a 1 gallon be doable or maybe just get a newer 5 gallon? Also what kind of filtration even goes on a nano tank? And is there any special maintenance required for live plants?

 

[convict360]

So I was thinking about pulling out the old 1 gallon tank and having a few live plants and shrimp and maybe a tetra or 2 in there just for something on my dresser. Would a 1 gallon be doable or maybe just get a newer 5 gallon? Also what kind of filtration even goes on a nano tank? And is there any special maintenance required for live plants?

You could do a 1 gallon, just have to be on the ball with water parameters for live plants an active substrate that buffers helps a lot, but if you go for plants such as Anubias, you don't have to worry about it.

HOB's are the best for small nano's imo, though it's difficult to stabilise anything under the 15 litre mark in my experience, hence only low bioload shrimp etc

 

[xDestro]

So it'll be easier to just get a 5 or 10 gallon?

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

So it'll be easier to just get a 5 or 10 gallon?

If you into Fluval Spec system then get it. It's perfect for nano system setup with less headache than a 1 gallon tank.

 

[Fat Homer]

I would say unless you plan on doing something like shrimp only, skip the 1G and go for a 5 - 10G... It will give you more options and possibly less headaches dealing with keeping water stabilized...

 

[CarpCharacin]

It will be easier to get a 5 or 10 gallon. Even a 2.5 gallon would be easier.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Get at least ten gallons as anything smaller is a pain personally I don't like anything smaller than 20 gallons because it's easier to clean and keep stable

 

[J. H.]

I am thinking about the same thing (all I have is a recently set up 55 planted, diy co2 and 1 female guppy), to get around not being allowed to have more tanks in the house. Google at Diana Walstad, she is awesome and has been doing a lot of this. It seems if you are careful 1g is plenty for shrimp and 5-12 plenty for small fish (harlequin rasbora, etc), even if you don't have an airstone, forget about a filter. I know this sounds nuts after so many people screaming BIGGER for so long, but pico and nano setups are really good with minimal maintenance ( as long as it is appropriate and regular) in both fresh and saltwater. Google planted vase and look for the same on Youtube. People are getting unbelievable bioload, stability and self sufficiency out of tiny setups.

 

[convict360]

Btw I've got a 5.5 litre tank (1.5g) arriving in a couple of days, will post info on it when I can

 

[magpie]

I've done 2.5, 5 and 10 and I really prefer the 5 and even more so, the 10. The 2.5 and 5 really limit what you can put in it - pretty much shrimp and betta only (and depending on the betta, not necessarily both). Once you go to 10 you can add microrasboras and make it a nice little microcosm. I adore my 2.5 and 5 gallon tanks but my 10 is my favorite nano. (And it is easier to keep stable, even planted.)

A 1 gallon would be interesting, but it is so small! You are really limited in even the plants that you can put in there.

That being said, I'd LOVE to see yours