Low Boy 28G suggestions(getting back into the game)

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Bloodthirsty77

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Sep 21, 2011
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OK so I kept tanks for about 15 years so not a noob but been out of the game for about ten years now.

While I was moving my daughter into her college I got her a beta and a self-contained tank for it. While I was looking I saw the low boy tanks and they are a perfect size for an office aquarium on my credenza at work. I prefer understocking tanks so my first thoughts are a couple rams maybe some very small shoaling fish and bottom dwellers. Totally open to other suggestions. Definitely like unique looking fish and my background is in keeping American cichlids.

Additionally what type of filtration is suggested for these types of tanks? When I kept tanks I had bigger tanks(120+) and used canisters. Assuming I don't need anything like that on such a small tank. Maybe a hang on back with powerheads? I dunno since the game and tech has changed in the hobby since I exited. TIA for any and all suggestions.
 
Welcome back!

I'm not sure of the dimensions of a 28g "low boy" tank. Please tell us.

For blue rams, they like it warmer, say 80-82F. Cardinals are a classic combo as they like it warm too. Sterbai corydoras are also happy at highish temps.

I'm a fan of Aqua Clear HOBs, another classic, lol. In most 20g+ tanks I use 2 filters. That allows for cleaning 1 while the other keeps the "cycle" going. I rinse filter media in chlorinated tap water. It doesn't kill all your beneficial bacteria but can put a dent in it.

Will you have live plants? I always like at least few for both aesthetics & help with nitrate levels. If you'd like, we can suggest some easy 1s.
 
fishorama said:
Welcome back!

I'm not sure of the dimensions of a 28g "low boy" tank. Please tell us.

For blue rams, they like it warmer, say 80-82F. Cardinals are a classic combo as they like it warm too. Sterbai corydoras are also happy at highish temps.

I'm a fan of Aqua Clear HOBs, another classic, lol. In most 20g+ tanks I use 2 filters. That allows for cleaning 1 while the other keeps the "cycle" going. I rinse filter media in chlorinated tap water. It doesn't kill all your beneficial bacteria but can put a dent in it.

Will you have live plants? I always like at least few for both aesthetics & help with nitrate levels. If you'd like, we can suggest some easy 1s.
Click to expand...


Thanks! The dimensions are 36"x18"x10".

I've not done great with live plants in the past but mostly because I had big cichlids that would uproot them. Absolutely open to live plants in this case.
 
10 inches high? Not super great for many plants. But I'll suggest a couple easy 1s. Smallish cryptocorynes like any of the wendtiis. They come in a few colors; red, green but several others, mi oya is dark purple. They'll like a fertilizer root tab near the roots. Smaller anubias are also a good choice. They aren't planted in the substrate but tied (w/sewing thread) or glued (w/super glue gel). No ferts needed. Similar to anubias are bucephalandra. A newer plant to the hobby but I like them!

I'm not a fan of java moss, easy but it'll grow everywhere, ugh. Maybe "Italian" vallisneria, really asiatica. A nice spiral grassy plant 6-10 inches tall (but NOT v. spiralis, it gets 3ft tall, no!). It can be confusing. When in doubt ask us, we might know.

Stem plants will need more help than I'd want to give them even in a taller tank. Skip those.

Time for you to do some research to see what you like. No, you cannot grow hairgrass & some others, as pretty as they may be. I've tried many times, it's just not feasible. I belong to a plant club & don't pay for plants, so take it from me.
 
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Tanks that shallow are great for some semiterrestrial plants. I've seen some really pretty designs with lucky bamboo growing out the top. Pothos or philodendron will succeed anywhere there is window light. If you have a decent garden place nearby, most marginal bog plants should do just fine. That's such a great tank shape.
 
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Or maybe a paludarium with a trickling spraybar filter return down a raised slate? background. Many plants are fun & different when emersed. I bought some cork to try that but ended up using it in a different way. I've seen small orchids, cryptos, ferns, etc in that kind of set up. You might check them out too.
 
fishorama said:
Or maybe a paludarium with a trickling spraybar filter return down a raised slate? background. Many plants are fun & different when emersed. I bought some cork to try that but ended up using it in a different way. I've seen small orchids, cryptos, ferns, etc in that kind of set up. You might check them out too.
Click to expand...
OOOOhhh! Paludarium! This tank has such a large footprint that it would allow for a mountain to raise out of the center. It would be possible to put a small fountain pump under the rocks/sticks/whatever that made the mountain and then to plant all sorts of dwarf terrarium plants on it. This could be really artistic. I wish I had space for something like this.
 
Penjing!

 
Wow! Very cool! That almost seems like cheating to have a preformed optical illusion "rock". I bet that's pricey lol.

I went to a rock yard w/a friend to find the "perfect" tall squarish flat piece. We found 1 she liked with texturing that would work with a pump return of some kind, maybe the little fountain kind. I forgot about until now. She did have to tear down her fish greenhouse tanks so it's not set up now. A topic for our next carpool. She's a landscape designer so has very good visualization skills.
 
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