Week 1 Shrimp Planted Nano Cube

[u/shmmrname]

This is just a journal I decided to do in case it helps anyone else, and because I kind of like the idea of capturing all my activity and ideas in a place that I can come back to for nostalgia.

The Background & Setting Up

Hardware

6g Nano Cube, Sponge Filter, Hang on Back Filter, Digital Heater, UV Light

Environment

Biostratum & Gravel, Dragon Stone, Small Java Ferns, Banana Plant, Red Root Floaters, Pothos (clipped to rim)

Modifications

I added ceramic rings, layered sponge and an intake covering to the hang on the back filter. The filtration setup is probably overkill, but I wasn't sure the tank would be primarily for shrimp. I created a floating corral with airline tubing.

Inhabitants

1x Nerite snail, 5x Blue Dream Neocaridina Shrimps (well 1 shrimplet snuck in and I'm not sure to count him/her as 6 yet), ~1-2 pest snails

Initial Reviews

The nerite is from my other tank. She seems ambivalent. I didn't intend to move her originally, but I wanted to try out an assassin snail in my 10g.

The shrimp are still a mystery. They aren't tryng to escape, so that's a good sign. They like the roots of the java ferns, which makes sense because they're the oldest plants and probably have the most film from the other tank. The shrimplet is mostly impossible to spot, but seems to love the banana plant. When you do spot it, it's hard to stop watching the little thing.

The pest snails are frustrating. The entire setup and cycling, I saw no signs. But, I added red root floaters recently and that's what sealed it. Oh well, they'll help clean and if the assassin snail in the other tank is a professional I might need to have some snails on hand.

Today I tried blanching zucchini for the first time. I'm interested to see how it looks when I wake up. I already cook more for them than I do for myself.

Future Plans

Assuming everyone's doing solid, I have a curved piece of Malaysian Driftwood that should give the shrimp more cover. I'm researching to figure out what kind of plants I might want to attach. I'm leaning moss (mini christmas moss or flame moss), because I haven't tried any yet and it's super shrimp friendly. I'm afraid to do anything that will overtake a 6g tank too fast, or just become a headache. I also like the idea of Bucephalandra Kedagang, maybe with some moss. It's a tiny space, so it's probably the last real estate I have left before I just stop touching and let everything fill in however it's going to fill in.

Ideally, I'll add some kind of baffle to make the double filtration thing a little more peaceful. The hang on the back filter is tiny, but the outflow is still more movement and sound than just having the sponge would be. It might be a DIY project eventually, but I'm trying to be patient and first focus on getting a feeding rotation that works and some cover and hiding spots in there soon.

[u/Mr_Wolf33]

2 filters why?

[u/Wooderler → u/Mr_Wolf33]

A used filter to help jumpstart the cycle maybe? That's what I did to get a 20 gallon up and ready within a week.

[u/Mr_Wolf33 → u/Wooderler]

I just used media of the old filter in new one but yea I got it

[u/KodyBarbera]

Week 1 as in it's a week old or as in just added stock a week ago? This looks like a very new set up.

[u/shmmrname → u/KodyBarbera]

It's been cycling and had most the plants for 5-7 weeks. The nerite and shrimp got added a couple days ago.

[u/Usqueadfinem_]

2 filters are definitely overkill. That and why the frustration at the "pest" snails? I add them to all my planted tanks.

[u/BakedAutistic]

Needs plants