New Mr Aqua 11.4 gallon setup

1282 Views 18 Replies 6 Participants Last post by mpooyan83, Jun 4, 2014

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · Jun 4, 2014

3

Hey All!
Just wanted to share my new Mr Aqua 11.4 gallon Rimless setup.
I think Rimless is AWESOME! will never by a standard rimmed tank again.

So here's whats in it:

-My boy Nova! (Delta tail)
-6x White Cloud minnows
-4x Ghost shrimp
-4x Cherry shrimp
-1x Mystery Snail

-Water Wisteria
-Java Fern
-2x Anubias
-Amazon sword
-Micro sword

-50 watt marineland heater
-SunSun hw603B canister filter (so far working good well)
-Current USA 18-24" LED light ( LOVE THIS THING!)

The lid was a pain to make. Bought 1/4" polycarbonate (Lexan) and and cut it to size and drilled a feeding hole on top, with a jig saw and drill respectively.

debating whether to add either another school of Galaxy Danios or Dwarf Cories. might make it too crowded (not according to Aquadvisor tho).

would love to hear suggestions/pointers/etc...

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

mobius981

· #2 · Jun 4, 2014 (Edited)

Your tank looks lovely!! I also am in love with my Mr. Aqua 5.2 gallon. Next, a bookshelf 12 gallon? I am developing MTS. You even have mostly the exact same plants I do (so of course I think, you made great choices)! You may like to experiment with java moss or Christmas tree moss on that driftwood piece...I superglued mine on a little cave and it showed no damage and took off growing like crazy. Gives good hides for the little guys, and might hide the heater eventually as well....!

really nice job on the lid, BTW, how is it attached to the tank?

RussellTheShihTzu

· #3 · Jun 4, 2014

Very nice set up for a Betta by itself.

However, it is too open for shrimp as they need a lot of cover or they will stress and possibly die. In addition, they need places to hide when they molt or they will be picked apart by your Betta or the other fish.

I would add:

Floating plants (Hornwort, Cabomba, Anacharis, etc.)
Lots of Java moss
Hides such as Cholla sticks or driftwood with holes; something into which they can crawl until their new carapaces form

One corner packed with plants would work to give them a place to feel safe.

Open tanks are pleasing to us (especially me) but not always best for those that actually live in them.

That being said, I love, love, love your design. Just wish it were more shrimp-friendly.

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mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 4, 2014 (Edited)

I was thinking of java moss. I'm just worries its gonna get outta hand. How often do you guys give it a "Hair cut"? is there a low to medium light moss that dosnt require that kinda maintenance?

I got these edge clips from ebay. for a few bucks. using 4 ofem, 2 on the left edge and 2 on the right. they do the job well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370930036510

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 4, 2014

2

Here are a couple pix on how the Lid is being held.

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RussellTheShihTzu

· #6 · Jun 4, 2014

I've never had a problem with Java Moss getting out of hand. Probably what you think of as "getting out of hand" is exactly what would make the shrimp feel secure.

So many people are getting shrimp on this forum that my new soapbox is "Think about what's best for the inverts."

When I got my first shrimp I learned my days of open, Zen-like tanks were over if I wanted the inverts to thrive as opposed to survive. This is especially true when you put them in with predators.

BTW, if your tank isn't cycled, keep close watch on the ammonia. The slightest rise can kill inverts. Unlike Bettas they are extremely susceptible to parameter changes. Most invert-only forums and specialists suggest no more than a 10%-15% water change.

mobius981

· #7 · Jun 4, 2014

Love the clips, brilliant! And have fun with the moss, you won't be sorry. I got some nice moss from ebay as well. Very nice lid design, i had no idea they made clips like that!! I appreciate the photos very much, makes all kinds of sense!! Thank you!

SorcerersApprentice

· #8 · Jun 4, 2014

What a beautiful tank! Can I ask where you got clips like that? Great idea!

RussellTheShihTzu

· #9 · Jun 4, 2014

Is your Current light this one:

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-freshwater-led-plus/

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 4, 2014

SorcerersApprentice said:
What a beautiful tank! Can I ask where you got clips like that? Great idea!

The clips I got from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370930036510?afsrc=1

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 4, 2014

RussellTheShihTzu said:
Is your Current light this one:

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-freshwater-led-plus/

The light is the cheaper model of that size.

http://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-S...id=1401890149&sr=8-3&keywords=current+usa+18"

dosn't have the remote, and it only has 1 strip of lights instead of 2.

SorcerersApprentice

· #12 · Jun 4, 2014

mpooyan83 said:
The clips I got from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370930036510?afsrc=1

Awesome, thank you for sharing!

RussellTheShihTzu

· #13 · Jun 4, 2014

mpooyan83 said:
The light is the cheaper model of that size.

http://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-S...id=1401890149&sr=8-3&keywords=current+usa+18"

dosn't have the remote, and it only has 1 strip of lights instead of 2.

Thank you. I'm thinking ahead to when my fluorescent fixture kicks the bucket. I've heard good things about Current USA and I like the way your tank is lighted.

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 4, 2014

For those who use Mosses... Would you recommend Xmas moss over Java moss for my tank? Any others that you recommend?

RussellTheShihTzu

· #15 · Jun 4, 2014

I don't think it makes a lot of difference other than price. Another thing you might look into is Subwassertang. It looks like ribbons of lettuce ... if that makes sense.

I also like Fissidens.

jaysee

· #16 · Jun 4, 2014

RussellTheShihTzu said:
I've never had a problem with Java Moss getting out of hand. Probably what you think of as "getting out of hand" is exactly what would make the shrimp feel secure.

Oh I have! It nearly took over one of my 125s. Was front to back, top to bottom and almost 3 feet long - it quite literally took up half the tank. Cause problems with water movement and territories so I yanked it all out. Now in the 90 it's been ripped out 3 times now, and keeps coming back. If not cut back, it will completely take over a tank IME. It's not hard to keep it a manageable size - the problem is that the little fronds get everywhere and start growing on everything.

I should note that my experience is with java moss as the only plant in the tank. Perhaps the competition from other plants keeps it from sprawling all over the tank.

MistersMom

· #17 · Jun 4, 2014

Beautiful. I love tanks like that.

RussellTheShihTzu

· #18 · Jun 4, 2014

jaysee said:
Oh I have! It nearly took over one of my 125s. Was front to back, top to bottom and almost 3 feet long - it quite literally took up half the tank. Cause problems with water movement and territories so I yanked it all out. Now in the 90 it's been ripped out 3 times now, and keeps coming back. If not cut back, it will completely take over a tank IME. It's not hard to keep it a manageable size - the problem is that the little fronds get everywhere and start growing on everything.

I should note that my experience is with java moss as the only plant in the tank. Perhaps the competition from other plants keeps it from sprawling all over the tank.

I think that last sentence may contain the answer: Competition. People I know who grow grow Java moss to sell say to keep it in a moss-only tank for optimum growth. Mine is in a densely-planted tank and doesn't grow much at all.

mpooyan83

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 4, 2014

is Christmas moss the same way as Java? as far as being able to get outta hand? or is it less invasive?

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