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Keith,

You kind of answered your own question ! The reason for no water changes is algae control. I used this method based on some advice from Tom Barr. Algae likes Co2 just as much as plants. So really there's 2 options when the light is relatively strong (in theory this tank has over 3 wpg , but the wpg gallon does kinda go out the window with small tanks) such as this tank. One is too inject additional Co2 to enable the plants to outgrow and outcompete the algae. The other is absolutely minimise the co2 to starve the algae. Tap water has a lot of Co2 so water changes can actually benefit the algae where the light is good, particularly the Black Beard Algae that loves anubias leaves. By not doing water changes the algae is starved of fresh Co2. Plants can do fine without the Co2 they just grow very very slowly, that in itself is an advantage in a small tank like this. As Co2 injection is overkill in a tank this small I chose this option.

Now all of this doesn't mean that anyone can just stop doing water changes and all will be fine ! The key to it is having the tank heavily planted so as the nitrates and other baddies don't build up. As I said even with no water changes I have to ADD nitrates on a weekly basis ! And as you can see the water is very clear and clean even in an overstocked tank . The key is lots of plants , an unplanted tank or with one piece of Java Fern and no water changes is going to have Nitrates build up to dangerous levels pretty quickly.

It's an approach that requires a lot of patience but is worthwhile. This tank is fun as it looks good and requires almost zero maintenance. A couple of minutes to dose ferts, a trim once in a while, clan the filter every couple of weeks.

Plant heavily from start up. Feed the plants well with some Co2 in the form of Flourish Excel or even those co2 tabs for small tanks for the first 2-3 weeks to get the plants started and established. This gets the plants a big head start on the algae.After that drop the Co2 addition and no water changes. Then just maintain. The algae is starved of Co2, the plants take care of filtration and removing nitrates. Add KNO3 as needed (if heavily planted and a light fish load this will be 1-2 times a week) to keep a level of about 10ppm. Add a small amount of traces the day after adding macros. I use 2 ml of Tropica Master Grow.Wait. The plants will be very healthy but slower growing then normal. Algae should not be an issue.

I've being doing this for quite a few weeks now and no problems at all.Plants healthy, fish very happy and active.

PS.Sorry Keith I just checked my e-mail this morning and saw your message from 2 weeks back I'll drop you a line later today.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

A really great looking take Bernard as I'm currently setting up a 5 gallon tank for a betta at this time and want to heavily plant it I'm going to follow your advice and see how I make out with it. Again, a great looking small tank.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

cool - very nice tank

I know you mean to enter the big tank and perhaps not this one, but that first shot is exactly the kind the judges LOVE of small tanks. Add in another shot (not that third one, I'd say - it makes a well-organized tank look chaotic) and perhaps a nice in-focus fish photo, and enter it. The competition is much less with the tiny tanks, after all. Anyway, it's fun to enter, and people would enjoy seeing this tank and hearing the details of it.
Lovely, of course!

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Very nice 5gal..
Thats what i want my 74g tank to look like...well i hope i can make it look like that.
Iam going to order some plants from Denmark.They have a package deal..20 plants for around 40-50us$.

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

Enter the AGA Aquascaping Contest!!!

My large tank is being lavished with attention at the moment. Intend to enter in this years AGA. Not expecting anything, but will like to see how it stacks up against the pros.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Very nice!!!
Enter the AGA Aquascaping Contest!!!

Very nice little setup! Hope all goes well for ya

Love how the tank is right in front of the keyboard with the moniter off to the side .

Afterall we know whats more important to watch .

^_^


[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

very nice setup

Bernard.

I knew you would have researched it before you started a new venture. Good luck with this one.
Also a few tips to kick of mine
"Plant heavily from start up. Feed the plants well with some Co2 in the form of Flourish Excel or even those co2 tabs for small tanks for the first 2-3 weeks to get the plants started and established."

I intend to get as many plants as I can but as you know our suplies are nothing like yours over there.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I've had the 5 gal sitting on my desk for while. Just kept using cuttings from the big tank which was a bit messy.

Finally got around to doing something with it.

Doubled the light over it. Went crazy and got another $3 desk lamp, no expense spared]

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Noodles, the lighting is very simple. 2 cheap desklamps, the type with the adjustable arms. Each has a Philips 9 watt PC bulb @ 6500K. $3 each at the local supermarket And another couple of bucks to put in decent bulbsThe whole thing was done on the cheap - $5 for the tank, $4 for the filter, about $10 for the lighting. The Wendtii is getting a little too big and will probably swap it out for more Willisi.

Fishyhelper,
The small plant is a Hemianthus of some sort, just not sure which one. It's too small to be Micranthemoides, I think it may be Callitrichoides "Cuba", it's about the right size.Could even be a local variety. It's not that difficult to grow but a bit of pain in the butt. It's a tiny plant and as a result has tiny roots so is very hard to keep rooted. Luckily it doesn't need to be rooted to grow. You can even tie it to rock or driftwood, it will never attach but it will grow. It's quite difficult to keep it rooted to get that carpet effect.I tried some in the big tank but gave up the SAE's would have it up every few minutes - they'd all be there heads down asses up playing with the stuff.

Apart from that it's not too difficult. Needs nitrates ! Not fussy about Co2 .Light is important not so much intensity as just having direct light. If it is shaded at all it falls apart within 24hours ! Really needs to 2-3 wpg and ablsolutely no shading and no over active fish ! .Not the easiest to deal with but not the most difficult either.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Bernard

Another fantastic well planted tank. Just a one big question its has not been picked up by any one else.

Why????
"This tank doesn't get any water changes. Just top up for evaporation. There's a small internal filter in there somewhere but this more for circulation then anything."

This seems to go against all the rules but and a very big but it is working for you and the plants look terrific and I notice no algea well not that I can see anyway.

Also a fantastic second photo well done from your Aussie mate

Keith

Last edited by keithgh at 21-Mar-2005 21:29

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Very, very nice...I like it a lot

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Sweet tank!! I recently set up my 5 gallon, I've got a small group of Corydoras Habrosus (2 cm eacH) and a 3cm dwarf flame gourami.

what are those short carpeting plants called? i got some a week or maybe 2 weks ago, and its already starting to spred what type of lighting does it require? i have a med/high light on the fry tank (thats where the plants are) and i want to eventually move them down to my 29, it is low light till i can find a higher wattage light for it

Beautiful. I see you finally got ahold of some of that pearlweed you were looking for . Anyhow, great tank.
BTW, what kind of lighting do you use? I'm looking to set up a similar five gallon planted tank.

Inhabitants are 1 very active and nosey male Crowntail Betta, 5 frisky WCMM's and 2 leftover neons.

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

This tank doesn't get any water changes. Just top up for evaporation. There's a small internal filter in there somewhere but this more for circulation then anything.

Nitrates need to be added regularly. It gets a pinch of KNO3 once or twice a week and about 2ml of Tropica Master Grow.

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.