New 20 gallon shrimp setup

[Beetlebug515]

Got a great deal on a bunch of RCS locally a few days ago. Was originally going to be part of the cleanup crew for my planted 33, but I decided to give them their own tank instead. Specs:
Standard 20 gallon tank
Dual t5ho with 2 wavepoint ultra growth bulbs
40 pound eco complete
Seachem root tabs to start, will be switching to diy
Staurogyne Repens, crypt wendtii, red tiger lotus for plants.
Daily excel dosing
7 hour photo period.
Not pictured is a row of blyxa japonica added today after thinning out my high tech tank.
The driftwood will be added back once it sinks and I can put a small canister to this tank.

 

[Beetlebug515]

Tank is still a bit cloudy. Will post more pics in a week or so when everything settles.

 

[Woefulrelic]

Gonna iwagumi it? You guys have the right style and sense for it, but to do those tanks proper it seems like you need co2 and overload maintenance. Hope it works better than I expect, I've found aquatic plants to be a pain.

 

[Beetlebug515]

I don't think ill be able to pull off a proper iwagumi without co2, but the S. Repens is a fairly undemanding plant. Plentiful root tabs should go a long way as well. If all else fails, ive got a couple handfuls of java moss, and a high tech co2 injected tank to grow things in. Also, for some odd reason, ive been unable to grow algae using these bulbs. I believe it has something to do with the red heavy spectrum of the lighting. I'm optimistic.

 

[Beetlebug515]

Ha. I just noticed the shrimp in the 4th pic is saddled. Babies soon?

 

[Beetlebug515]

Some progression pics.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Very nice!

I'm thinking of doing something like this with my currently empty 29 gallon tank.

 

[Beetlebug515]

Very nice!

I'm thinking of doing something like this with my currently empty 29 gallon tank.

Thanks! Do it! It's super easy.

 

[magpie]

Nnice! I have a 10 gallon planted shrimp tank (low tech) and I am in love with it and the little microcosm. I also have some chili rasboras in there, too.

 

[Beetlebug515]

I've been wondering if I can put some fish in there, but I don't want my shrimplets eaten.