Jump to content

AquaTopia Aura 20L

GotCrabs

By GotCrabs
in Shrimp Tank Setup

 Share

Recommended Posts

GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
Posted

So I am now trying to work out what to do with the AquaTopia Aura 20L I have sitting here empty, I'd like to do something with it as I enjoy putting tanks together and creating something worth looking at but am not sure what to do exactly, anyone got any ideas?

 

Remember, I'm in country South Australia so don't have access to stuff in stores like most of you so most things will be through online stores/eBay/forum members.

 

So I have a AquaTopia Aura 20L with a AquaTopia 100 internal filter, AquaTopia fluro 9 watt light, Aqua One 25 watt glass heater.

 

I will go with some substrate though, because I'd like the small tank planted, also no live stock will go in until everything is going well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

How about a cull tank, you will need one after all your other tanks start filling up.

 

Would really like to do it up, planted and looking nice, something to enjoy I guess.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
neo-2FX Shrimp Breeder

neo-2FX

Posted
Posted (edited)

Something like the attached would be cool! Could use lava rock, moss and hair grass which wouldn't require too much light.

post-1167-0-86696400-1430202056.png

post-1167-0-86696400-1430202056.png

Edited by neo-2FX
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm thinking a piece of corkscrew val or two in the left back corner, alternanthera reineckii mini around that, then 2 pieces of malaysian driftwood with anubias nana on it infront of the ARM and then some pieces of blyxa japonica infront of that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
kizshrimp Shrimp Breeder

kizshrimp

Posted
Posted

Don't you talk that way about tannins! Seriously though, what's wrong with tannin? Just run a tiny bit of carbon or macropore if you're worried. 

 

I was thinking something like what neo-2fx showed, but your plan sounds great too. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Don't you talk that way about tannins! Seriously though, what's wrong with tannin? Just run a tiny bit of carbon or macropore if you're worried. 

 

I was thinking something like what neo-2fx showed, but your plan sounds great too. 

 

Of course it sounds great, I came up with it, haha. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK, so here is a rough idea of what I'm thinking of doing with the tank, YES, I am aware at how crap my designing skills are, haha.

 

tankdesign_zpswnwo2yva.png

 

Black background.

 

Anubias tied to a stone.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Perhaps if I put the filter on the left side which will be covered by the Val, I'm thinking keep the Blyxa trimmed so the Needle Leaf can be shown more, perhaps plant something back the back of the tank below where the filter is shown in the amazing graphic.

 

What about substrate? I don't want to use Fluval Shrimp Stratum, I have that in my other tank, would like to use something else.

 

Also, not sure what livestock I'll have in there, was thinking Chameleon Shrimp, I really like them, anything else perhaps?

 

Any suggestions on a plant that can go at the back of the tank behind the Anubias on rock/stone?

 

Also, no CO2 will be used, probably liquid CO2 and ferts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
neo-2FX Shrimp Breeder

neo-2FX

Posted
Posted (edited)

GotCrabs above design looks good however you're probably losing alot of real estate with the plants "descending" if that makes sense.

 

The Val may get blown all over the tank with the filter behind it? Not sure, never had it before.

 

I'm extremely happy with my Cal Aqua BEP Powder. Doesn't cloud the water when disturbed and so easy to plant.

 

I'm a big fan of DAS atm, great character even though they don't have much colour but Chameleon's would also be nice.

 

Maybe a stem plant to cover the filter.

 

CO2 isn't a deal breaker..I'm growing HC Cuba without CO2 no problems..

Edited by neo-2FX
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Also, if I didn't use Needle Leaf Java Fern, what other plant could I use? Something with colour perhaps?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
neo-2FX Shrimp Breeder

neo-2FX

Posted
Posted

For stem, I love Rotala macrandra 'Green'. Currently in my tank on the right. Can post close up photos if you'd like.

 

I may be wrong, but most red plants require a bit more attention. I could be wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
neo-2FX Shrimp Breeder

neo-2FX

Posted
Posted

Yeah the red under the leaf gives a very nice contrast. Send me a PM, I've just done a trim however it grows fast and could hook up you ;)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah that'd be great, thanks.

 

Here is a pic, I sent it to Neo anyway with some questions, it just gives you an idea of how it's layed out, thing is that the filter sticks out quite a bit so if putting a plant or two in it won't cover the filter, is it better here or on the right?

 

Will have to go in my room, really have no where else to put it.

 

IMG_0861_zpsccsvhnou.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Oh, the stuff on the bottom is mineral powder, I like to put a base of mineral powder on the bottom before substrate/gravel goes in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GotCrabs Shrimp Master

GotCrabs

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK, so mind is made up, I am going to do a Hemianthus Callitrichoides carpet in the tank, I will place 1 piece of stone/rock in there also and have a couple of pieces of Anubias Nana tied to a stone/rock placed in also.

 

I've ordered the HC, Anubias Nana, 1 Rock and a bag of Eco Complete.

 

Been watching the preparing part of the HC online, should I plant it with water in the tank or without? Just have moist substrate?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
neo-2FX Shrimp Breeder

neo-2FX

Posted
Posted

Might struggle with the 9W light but worth a go.

 

When I planted the HC i had filed the tank with some water up to the top of the substrate which made it super easy to plant.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Join Our Community!

    Register today, ask questions and share your shrimp and fish tank experiences with us!

  • Must Read SKF Articles

    Shrimp Disease and Treatment
    Tibee, Taitbee, Pinto, Mischling, F1, F2

  • Tropical Fish Forum
    Discus Breeding Guide
    Discus Disease and Treatment Guide

  • Posts

    • ngoomie
      Shrimp and meds containing gentian violet

      By ngoomie · Posted

      Alright, I've done a bit more research on gentian violet's cancer-causing potential but I haven't yet done research on malachite green's to compare. But from reading the California propositon 65 document about GV (North Americans incl. some Canadians will recognize this as the law that causes some products they buy to be labelled with "known to the state of California to cause cancer", including the exact product I bought) it seems that the risk of cancer is related to internal use, either injection or ingestion. Speaking of ingestion, I think GV bans mainly relate to its use in treating fish/shrimp/etc. which are intended for human consumption, because of the above. And in countries where GV isn't banned for this purpose, it does seem to get used on various species of shrimp without causing any issue for the shrimp themselves (at least enough so for shrimp farming purposes). See the following: In February, the FDA Began Rejecting Imported Shrimp for Gentian Violet and Chloramphenicol (2022 article by Southern Shrimp Alliance) FDA Starts New Calendar Year by Refusing Antibiotic-Contaminated Shrimp from Three BAP-Certified Indian Processors and Adding a BAP-Certified Vietnamese Processor to Import Alert (2024 article by Southern Shrimp Alliance) Southern Shrimp Alliance and some other organizations have tons of other articles in this vein, but I'd be here for a while and would end up writing an absolutely massive post if I were to link every instance I found of articles mentioning shrimp shipments with gentian violet and/or leucogentian violet registering as contaminants. That being said, I know shrimp farmed for consumption and dwarf shrimp are often somewhat distantly related (in fact, the one time a shrimp's species name is listed that I can see, it's the prawn sp. Macrobrachium rosenbergii, who at best occupies the same infraorder as Neocaridina davidi but nothing nearer), but this at least gives a slightly better way of guessing whether it will be safe for aquarium dwarf shrimp or not than my bladder snail anecdote from the OP.
    • sdlTBfanUK
      Shrimp molting before eggs are hatched

      By sdlTBfanUK · Posted

      I would hazard a guess that perhaps those eggs were unfertilized and thereby unviable? Did the eggs change colour, usually yellow to grey as the yolks used up, or any eyes in the eggs. Is your water ok, using RO remineralised and the parameters in range, as I have heard others say that if the water isn't good it can 'force' a molt? How is it going overall, do you have a good size colony in the tank, you may have reached 'maximum occupancy' as a tank can only support so many occupants.
    • beanbag
      Shrimp molting before eggs are hatched

      By beanbag · Posted

      Hello folks,  The current problem I am having is that my Taiwan bee shrimp are molting before all their eggs have hatched.  Often the shrimp keep the eggs for 40+ days.  During that time, they lose about half or so, either due to dropping or duds or whatever.  Shortly before molting they look to have about a dozen left, and then they molt with about half a dozen eggs still on the shell.  Then the other shirmp will come and eat the shell.  These last few times, I have been getting around 0-3 surviving babies per batch.  I figure I can make the eggs hatch faster by raising the water temperature more (currently around 68F, which is already a few degrees higher than I used to keep it) or make the shrimp grow slower by feeding them less (protein).  Currently I feed Shrimp King complete every other day, and also a small dab of Shrimp Fit alternating days.  Maybe I can start alternating with more vegetable food like mulberry?  or just decrease the amount of food?
    • ngoomie
      Shrimp and meds containing gentian violet

      By ngoomie · Posted

      Yeah, cancer risk was a thing I'd seen mentioned a lot when looking into gentian violet briefly. I kinda just figured it might only be as bad as the cancer risk of malachite green as well, but maybe I should look into it more. I've been doing a pretty good job of not getting it on my skin and also avoiding dunking my unprotected hands into the tank water while treating my fish at least, though. Maybe I'll just not use it once I'm done this course of medication anyways, because I know a store I can sometimes get to that's pretty distant carries both malachite green and methylene blue, and in pretty large quantities.
    • jayc
      Shrimp and meds containing gentian violet

      By jayc · Posted

      Can't help you with Gentian Violet, sorry. It is banned in Australia violet for potential toxicity, and even possible cancer risks. I thought it was banned in Canada as well. At least, you now know why there isn't much info on gentian violet medication and it's use. But keep an eye on the snails after a week. If it affects the snails, it might not kill them immediately. So keep checking for up to a week. Much safer options out there. No point risking your own life over unsafe products.
×
×
  • Create New...