Patrick_G Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 (edited) I have huge respect for those of you that keep are able to maintain nice looking pico tanks of three gallons or less. The little three gallon display tank at Aquarium Coop is a good example. It always looks absolutely perfect. My three gallon snail only tank is about a month old and I’m not sure how to keep it looking good. It’s currently filter and heater free with a little Nicrew clip light. I can tell it’s at the stage where it needs a little care. What are your secrets? Edited July 4, 2021 by Patrick_G 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Keep everything boring! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 For instance, how do you clean the glass without messing up the scape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameCzar Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Personally I really dig it. That piece of wood is gorgeous. One tiny thing I've learned in my smaller tanks is for my preferences, I stopped using white or really light substrate. We switched to Pisces Midnight Pearl and it has a great natural look without showing every algae spot and fish turd 😉 I've been pondering using hornwort (is that what I see in yours?) but I get scared when I hear about how it gets out of control lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan W Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) On 7/4/2021 at 6:36 PM, Patrick_G said: For instance, how do you clean the glass without messing up the scape? For cleaning decor and hardscape, compact cleaning brushes for teeth/braces work pretty well for small places that won’t accommodate an entire hand. Search for “tuft” or “end tuft” toothbrushes on Amazon/Google. Toothbrushes in general make excellent cleaning tools for planted tanks. Electric toothbrushes can make very quick work of cleaning stubborn green algae from hardscape. An electric brush also works well for cleaning the glass if you have the time to do it. I have a 3gallon bowfront and that’s how I usually clean the glass. Electrics are great for getting algae off of the silicone seams too. You don’t have to push and scrub with a sponge or anything, just let the brush do the work. Stainless steel algae scrapers also work well for tiny tanks. These also allow you to scrape algae away from the glass below the substrate so that inevitable “algae line” isn’t always there. Really any thin flat piece of plastic would work too. When it comes to not messing up the scape, well….. that will probably happen no matter what you do to prevent it lol. Eventually, you’re going to knock into something and jostle something around. This can be prevented during the hardscape stage buy attaching all of your hardscape to each other either by (always make sure whatever you use is aquarium safe!!) superglue, the appropriate epoxy, silicone, or even zip-ties. The more stable you create your scape, the more forces it will be able to take. Sometimes, I’ll move things just by trying to brush algae away. I’ve learned to deal with little things like this and adjust my maintenance routine accordingly. With tiny scapes, you have to pay much more attention to what you’re doing inside of it than you would in a much larger tank. As with anything involved with tiny tanks, you just have so much less room for error. That includes routing around in your tank with hands and tools. Just pay attention to what you’re doing and try to think ahead to what your going to do next so you’re aware of the layout of the scape. Eventually you’ll learn where everything is at and you’ll be able to maneuver around easier. It also helps, that during the hardscape process, to anticipate your cleaning routine. Place your hardscape in ways to make it easier to clean everything. Don’t put a whole bunch of wood along the side glass then get frustrated when it’s impossible to clean. A good rule of thumb is to leave about an inch between the glass and the hardscape. That should ensure enough room for at least a toothbrush or something similar to get in between the glass and the hardscape. By the way, what you have going on looks great! Keep it up. Edited July 5, 2021 by Ryan W 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudofish Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) @Patrick_GVery nice! I have to say that black "brick" background really sets it off. What is that? Edited July 5, 2021 by sudofish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) On 7/4/2021 at 3:36 PM, GameCzar said: Personally I really dig it. That piece of wood is gorgeous. One tiny thing I've learned in my smaller tanks is for my preferences, I stopped using white or really light substrate. We switched to Pisces Midnight Pearl and it has a great natural look without showing every algae spot and fish turd 😉 I've been pondering using hornwort (is that what I see in yours?) but I get scared when I hear about how it gets out of control lol The hornwort look-alike is Mayaca. I’m really happy with it. It has the fluffy look but doesn’t spread as fast as hornwort. Aquarium Coop sells it. Edited July 5, 2021 by Patrick_G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 On 7/4/2021 at 6:24 PM, sudofish said: @Patrick_GVery nice! I have to say that black "brick" background really sets it off. What is that? It a piece of carpet pad. I had to block some of the glare from my late ‘80s era wet bar! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanoNano Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 With the tank only a month or so old, you're still in the "seasoning" stage with your tank's entire biome still trying to figure out where it's natural equilibrium is. I'd clean with caution as you want the things you do in/to the tank to compliment what the biome is already working towards (albeit on a much different schedule and sequence). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 I have this algae scraper in my 2.1 gallon cube. This one came with my used 6G cube, but I like the MagFloat Nano for that size. Just ordered another Nano MagFloat for the new 6G cube. This little thing has a very small magnet that fits almost anywhere. The only problem with it is the inside magnet is curling a little bit. I just saw on Amazon that you can get a replacement inside magnet. This doesn’t float like the MagFloats do if the inside separates from the glass. It may, or may not, fall close enough to the glass to retrieve without reaching in with something. If it falls face down you have to clean the surface before you start to use it again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 @Odd Duck, that’s what I’m after! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) @Patrick_G It’s very handy for my tiny cube. I just set it up about 2 weeks ago and moved this to it from my older 6G cube. The inside magnet is only about 1” square and a little over 1/8” thick. Edit to add I checked dates and it’s been set up 4 weeks. Time flies when you’re old, lol! Edited July 5, 2021 by Odd Duck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 @Patrick_G, You set this tank up for success. Now let it get messy, and don't worry about the glass. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 7, 2021 Author Share Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) Some micro sword gave some nice texture. If you think the glass is dirty you know who to blame! ☝️😀 Darth Streetwise Edited July 7, 2021 by Patrick_G 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Excellent photo with the vertical alignment! I think we will see some shrimp on the glass! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 7, 2021 Author Share Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) I’m known as the family’s worst photographer 🤣, but I’m starting to realize one needs to keep the camera level. I have some extra Amanos I could add but for now I’m happy with the snails. Edited July 7, 2021 by Patrick_G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameCzar Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 We just added a nice, long glass turkey baster to our arsenal and its a game changer for nano tanks! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 21, 2021 Author Share Posted July 21, 2021 She’s filling in and I’ve resisted the urge to clean! check out the snail on the surface film! 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 21, 2021 Author Share Posted July 21, 2021 Would anyone put two Sparkling Gouramis in this tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 I’m with @Streetwiselet it get messy. But if there is a really bad spot that in the future does not get cleaned up I use these for a ton of stuff. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 On 7/6/2021 at 8:46 PM, GameCzar said: We just added a nice, long glass turkey baster to our arsenal and its a game changer for nano tanks! I use an acrylic coral feeder I’m too clumsy for finery like glass🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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