14 gallon cube freshwater ideas

[Finthusiast]

Thanks again ill post pics and stuff when I get it all together!

 

[Finthusiast]

Corys do much better in large groups, which would be tough in that size tank. Maybe a group of 6 dwarf corys, or pygmy corys (but they swim in the midlevel) which top out about an inch. I'd switch the bristlenose out for a clown pleco if you really want a pleco. If you just want an algae eater and aren't hooked on plecos, I'd go with snails and shrimp at this size tank. Even a clown pleco is going to feel a little cramped in there and the shrimp/snail bioload is a fraction of any pleco. Also, there are very small catfish that do better alone or in small groups than corys do. The asian stone catfish is one I like and you could do 2 of them no problem. A pygmy talking catfish is another option (a tiny raphael cat). Also, if you're not married to the rummynose, there are smaller tetras and other nano fish that would fit better in those dimensions. Rummynose get over 2 inches and like to swim. They would probably work, but there are a ton of small fish. Endlers, Celestial Pearl Danios, Scarlet Badis, etc. are all pretty hardy.

As always, I'd recommend an undergravel filter over a sponge. A single 12"x12" UGF plate with one small lift tube would do fine in there and not take up a bunch of space like the sponge. Runs on the same air pump.

I always recommend crypts, anubias, dwarf sag, and java ferns as the easiest plants to start with in small tanks (switch the sag to vals in larger ones). None require strong light. Elodea is the easiest stem plant in my experience. Most floating plants are pretty easy, but will need to be stayed on top of as they spread like wildfire and you don't want them to totally blanket the surface.

Substrate I'm weird. I use a combination of fine gravel and baked clay oil absorbent from the auto parts store. 1 layer of gravel over the UGF, layer of oil absorbent, decent cap of more gravel. I dislike sand for a few reasons (but mostly because the mulm all sits on top of it), though I do use it in a couple tanks. I dislike 'aquasoil' because it has to be replaced every couple years. The clay oil absorbent I use is permanent and sucks in nutrients (including ammonia) and holds them for the plants' roots. I did use Seachem Flourite in a couple tanks and it seems to work very well. However, this is mostly a preference thing. Some plants may need a couple root tabs if you go with just sand or just gravel, but those are the cheapest options (the clay oil absorbent is also very cheap, but you buy it in large bags, around $13-$15 for a 33 lbs bag. It can double as cheap kitty litter which is what I do with the extra).

 

[Finthusiast]

Hello again I Iwhoopedbatman I have the ugf and fluorite gravel directly on top of the filter. When researching I have seen a ugf being installed with a layer or sponge covering the ugf before gravel is this how I was supposed to do that or is it ok for gravel right on top of the plastic filter? I really like how its coming together.

I placed about 1-3 inches (1 inch in front 3 in back) of gravel in the tank.
Is this enough to provide good bacteria growth or do I need to add more gravel/sponge on top of the ugf? The ugf is about half inch itself, so in front it has only about a half inch covering it.

Also, I went to petco and found some plants to start off with.
Java fern and hornwart.
Got any tips on how to help these flourish in this setup? I am not opposed to the baked clay you mentioned but I do have some more questions about that if you suggest I use it for best results. (Dont want to make thus one post any longer lol) But I do want to create a good ecosystem that has not too much maintenance if possible.

Thanks again for any advice you can give!

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

Yeah, as long as the gravel can't get through the holes in the filter plate, it's fine. All the sponge is going to do is clog. If the gravel can get through, like sand does, I put a layer of 'weed guard' for lawns over it. It's basically a plastic sheet, like a garbage bag with a billion tiny perforations for water to get through.

I usually use a deeper substrate bed, mine will range from 3 to 5 inches, but it's not completely necessary. 1-3 inches is definitely enough for the UGF and you won't have any fish capable of digging deep in it in a tank that small. You do want to make sure there is at least an inch of gravel over the plate.

Make sure the rhizome for the Java fern (the part that looks like a vine the leaves grow out of) isn't buried, it will rot and die. Most people attach it to rocks or wood with string, zip ties or super glue. Hornwart should be free floating or jammed in between things. Neither of these plants are meant to be planted into the substrate. Sag, vals, Crypts, and stem plants (along with tons of others) are for planting in the substrate. Hornwart is a floating plants and java fern, like anubias, attach to the decor.

 

[Finthusiast]

Awesome, I definitely want to get some rooted plants to go into the gravel so ill do some research of the species you mentioned. (Petco did not have the elodea I plan to go back next week they said they will have some)

Im using the gravel to kind of anchor the hornwart for now. I am aware this may cause the buried section to rot but isnt that good to help build some nutrients into the gravel or is that a bad thing? (Still cycling the tank)

The java fern ill remove from gravel and find something to attach it too like you said. Anything I should avoid or anything you recommend for doing this?

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

Awesome, I definitely want to get some rooted plants to go into the gravel so ill do some research of the species you mentioned. (Petco did not have the elodea I plan to go back next week they said they will have some)

Im using the gravel to kind of anchor the hornwart for now. I am aware this may cause the buried section to rot but isnt that good to help build some nutrients into the gravel or is that a bad thing? (Still cycling the tank)

The java fern ill remove from gravel and find something to attach it too like you said. Anything I should avoid or anything you recommend for doing this?

I usually use zip ties to anchor java fern to things like driftwood and rocks, because they're easy to remove once the plant anchors itself and I have a huge container of them. You can use something else. Many people like using super glue. I have used it. It works very well, I'm just a little clumsy with it and have ended up with glue globs showing where I don't want, but that is definitely a me thing. Many others use it all the time and make it look beautiful. In terms of decor, I like all kinds of driftwood and rocks, see what they have at the LFS and what you like (you can also source from nature, but be sure to boil the pieces, especially driftwood, for a good long while and multiple times if necessary, there are tons of youtube videos on doing that). The java fern won't care if it's real or not. I don't personally use plastic decor pieces, but they are fine if that's what you see and like too.
The rotted hornwort will do what you say, there's no real threat or anything. I don't know how it effects the plant's overall health, but I doubt it would kill it right off. FYI, sometimes plants in new tanks don't do well for a while as the tank stabilizes. The nitrogen cycle is the most important thing, but the tank will be settling in for months. You may occasionally have plants that just get in there and can't handle the constant changes and balancing acts going on in the tank. Don't get discouraged. When you're researching, try to see if people say the plant prefers an established tank or not. Some species are renowned for it.

 

[Finthusiast]

Great info again, I bought some pieces of driftwood from amazon that will require boiling (a lot according to reviews). I was reading exactly what you said about some plants like established tanks (crypto wendtii is one I like that can have trouble in new tanks). I need to get a test kit to see how well the cycling process is coming along.

Cycling question. Do i need to add any fish food to help cycle the tank or will the plants do a good job at establishing bacteria?

I looked into the plants you mentioned and found I like the look of vallisneria (torta?) Are these common or are there other types that are small like torta that or were you referring to the larger species (jungle?) Just curious if they would be too large for my tank or become too much maintenance along with the already fast growing hornwart I have.
Also interested in crypts but will wait for tank to be cycled to add them.

I am very appreciative of your time you have been greatly helpful!

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

The plants will bring in some bacteria with them, but it needs to be fed an ammonia source for the bacteria to populate. A little food will do it. I am not an expert on variants of vals or plants generally, but jungle val, which is the hardiest type in my experience, is definitely going to be too big and it spreads quickly when healthy. There are a bunch of types though, so just keep researching. Most of them propagate a lot.

 

[The Morning]

If you have not settled on fish yet I second the above suggestion of the Celestial Danios. I have three in my 36 and they remain small and are awesome little fish. Their coloring reminds me of a mini brown trout.

 

[Finthusiast]

Alright thanks for the added recommendation! I have yet to do much research on fish so I will start with those since you both agree and just while on the subject of the fish, I'd like to have many fish in the tank whether its multiple species or a bunch of the same type how many would be the max I can have while still keeping the tank healthy and keep the fish comfortable?