2.5 Gallon Build Help

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in starting a planted only tank in an empty 2.5 gallon I have already. I don't have anything besides that, so I'm wondering what you think I should get. What filter, substrate, and small plants, etc. would you recommend? There will be some ramshorns in there, but nothing else.

Thanks
PaprikaFish

 

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in starting a planted only tank in an empty 2.5 gallon I have already. I don't have anything besides that, so I'm wondering what you think I should get. What filter, substrate, and small plants, etc. would you recommend? There will be some ramshorns in there, but nothing else.

Thanks
PaprikaFish

Perhaps some Anubias nana and Monte carlo would look nice! I’ve been growing those and other medium light plants fine with a Nicrew. For filter, I’d probably do a small corner sponge filter.

 

Perhaps some Anubias nana and Monte carlo would look nice! I’ve been growing those and other medium light plants fine with a Nicrew. For filter, I’d probably do a small corner sponge filter.

Thank you so much! I really like the look of the monte carlo Do you think RCS could work in there, or should I just have plants?

 

Thank you so much! I really like the look of the monte carlo Do you think RCS could work in there, or should I just have plants?

Shrimp should be fine!

 

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in starting a planted only tank in an empty 2.5 gallon I have already. I don't have anything besides that, so I'm wondering what you think I should get. What filter, substrate, and small plants, etc. would you recommend? There will be some ramshorns in there, but nothing else.

Thanks
PaprikaFish

Are you interested in planted tank substrates? There are so many available on the market at different prices so some are more affordable than others. The substrates are jam packed with nutrients for your plants (I can give some recommendations if you’d like). A small sponge filter could work great, or a small power filter. Would you prefer the filter to be out of the tank (on the back of it) with the tubing inside or just have the whole filter inside? There are many options for both. Some plant ideas could be anubias, water wisteria, amazon swords, vallisneria, cabomba, and maybe some ludwigia repens.

 

Are you interested in planted tank substrates? There are so many available on the market at different prices so some are more affordable than others. The substrates are jam packed with nutrients for your plants (I can give some recommendations if you’d like). A small sponge filter could work great, or a small power filter. Would you prefer the filter to be out of the tank (on the back of it) with the tubing inside or just have the whole filter inside? There are many options for both. Some plant ideas could be anubias, water wisteria, amazon swords, vallisneria, cabomba, and maybe some ludwigia repens.

I think inside would be nice, as the power goes out sometimes and I don't want my filter to dry out. Also, I'd just like to try another type of filter so I can find what works best for me

What are your substrate recommendations for plants? Currently, I have Eco-complete and root tabs, but that's it.

 

I think inside would be nice, as the power goes out sometimes and I don't want my filter to dry out. Also, I'd just like to try another type of filter so I can find what works best for me

What are your substrate recommendations for plants? Currently, I have Eco-complete and root tabs, but that's it.

For the filter, you could get the Aqueon QuietFlow E Internal Power Filter in X-Small. It works for up to three gallons, so perfect for your tank. If you want shrimp (I thought I saw you mention that but I could be wrong), you need a sponge filter, and so there are many options. For my nano tanks I use Fluval Stratum, but that is on the pricier side. However since your tank is small you wouldn’t need a very big bag. I think a 4.4 pound bag is around $18. Your substrate combo should work great though! That’s just what I am using currently.

 

Ok, thank you! How would I go about setting up a sponge filter, and what kind does everyone recommend?

EDIT: Is there a way to seed a sponge filter?
EDIT 2: How would I use a lid with the NICREW light?

 

Ok, thank you! How would I go about setting up a sponge filter, and what kind does everyone recommend?

EDIT: Is there a way to seed a sponge filter?
EDIT 2: How would I use a lid with the NICREW light?

Do you have a solid lid or a clear one? For clear, just adjust the brackets to fit the tank and set on top. It likely won’t work for solid, but if you weren’t opposed to going lidless, the light can rest on just the edge of the glass.

Sponge filter can be seeded by running in a cycled tank for awhile, by putting some cycled media up against it, or by placing media inside it if it has a canister.