Shrimp tank in planning

eth0s

eth0s

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Mar 28, 2012
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I've been planning a shrimp tank for a little while now and thought I'd get some outside feedback. Here's what I'm thinking so far: Neocaridina heteropoda var. orange in a plain ol' US 5.5g (22.8l), glass lid, vintage desk lamp w/ CFL, sponge filter (what kind?), heater (what kind?), bare bottom (painted black), and nothing but Marimo balls for "substrate"...maybe a peice of slate or a couple pretty rocks...

Going to arrange sort of Iwagumi style, with the minimalist and golden ratio aspects at least... Probably one HUGE Marimo ball just off center, a few medium ones, and then several small ones. Hmmm...perhaps a gnarly-tree-looking twig next to the huge ball would look good...

So, I'm looking for advice/suggestions mainly on a filter (probably sponge?) and a heater. I'd like both to be low profile, or at the very least cool looking, since the tank is so small. The heater is a little more of a challenge than the filter...any suggestions? It gets fairly cold in the winter (30s-40s) and warmish in the summer (70s-80s-rarely 90s or 100s). The house stays 60s to 80s...we don't use either AC or furnace much.

Also just looking for general advice, suggestions, words of wisdom.

Thanks!


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Also, once I decide on a sponge or corner filter, I plan to seed it by letting it run in another tank...but I'm wondering for how long...? I've never done this with a sponge filter before...with HOBs and internals I've let them run for 1-3 weeks. Will it take about the same time with a sponge or corner filter?

Any filter suggestions?

Anyone had good luck with a, preferably adjustable, heater for small tanks? (5.5g)


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The longer you have the sponge filter in an established tank the better but I would have it in for at least 2 weeks. When I seed a tank I also add gravel and any extra used filter bags/pads.
I wouldn't suggest trying to follow the golden ratio in a tank without a hardscape or plants. There are a lot of nice moss tanks that just consist of a few potted pants, moss walls/pads, moss balls, and cholla wood with moss on it to add height and more hiding places for the shrimp.
 
As long as the temp doesn't drop below the 60's you won't need a heater. I had several shrimp in an unheated tank and my house gets to around 63F in winter.
 
So, for a filter, I'm considering either one of the Hydros or a Hagen Elite single sponge. Of the Hydros I like both the 0 and the II. I like the "pro" versions just based on color, they have black sponges instead of the regular grey ones.

Has anyone tried both of these brands? Which is better? Also, anyone know if you can use an airstone inside the Elites like you can with the Hydros?


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I've settled on the mini Hydro 0 for the filter...even though it appears it doesn't come in the pro model yet.

For the heater I have it narrowed down to 4 so far...

Eheim Jager 25w
Archaea Ultra Slim 25w
Sera 25w (adjustable? not a lot of info on these.)
Hagen Elite 25w (adjustable? says preset, but also adjustable? how?)

Any experience with these heaters in a small tank? (This will be a 5.5g)


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eth0s said:
I've settled on the mini Hydro 0 for the filter...even though it appears it doesn't come in the pro model yet.

For the heater I have it narrowed down to 4 so far...

Eheim Jager 25w
Archaea Ultra Slim 25w
Sera 25w (adjustable? not a lot of info on these.)
Hagen Elite 25w (adjustable? says preset, but also adjustable? how?)

Any experience with these heaters in a small tank? (This will be a 5.5g)


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Click to expand...

Used the Sera 25 in my 6 gallon and couldn't fault it, that was a shrimp tank too.


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eth0s said:
Was is adjustable? Also, I noticed you used the past tense, what became of it?


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Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it was adjustable as I am almost 100% certain I've never used one which isn't.

In answer to what became of it: I moved the livestock into another tank as I was having a clear out and had nowhere to actually keep the aquarium. I removed the heater and filter before giving the tank to a friend, putting them in a bag. I smashed the heater when I mistook the bag for something else by throwing it onto the top shelf of a garage unit as the bag had other things in from quite a while back.

Would I buy the heater again if I decided I had room for another nano? Yes.


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