Katie13’s 3g Shrimp Tank Build

I got this nice 3g rimless tank to use as my new shrimp tank as well as a couple other tanks on trade today! It was just taken down and still had water in the bottom, so hoping it may still have some beneficial bacteria. I got a nice piece or Seiryu Stone today as well and couldn’t be happier with how it looks in the tank. I placed it at an angle and it perfectly conceals the sponge filter that’s behind it. The sponge filter is already cycled. All that’s left is to get some carpeting plants, wait at least a week, and get shrimp!
11/23/2020
Got the tank situated on my bookshelf!


Finally decided how I wanted the stone


Such a tiny sponge filter!


Water is in, sponge filter and lights are on! Loving how it’s coming together!


More pics to come!

 

That sponge is just a baby!! Will look really nice on that bookshelf will look really nice once planted

 

Betta'sAnonymous I got a better pic of it!

 

That will look EXCELLENT with some plants and crawly shrimp

 

That will look EXCELLENT with some plants and crawly shrimp

The sponge filter is so perfectly hidden! I’m going to run it tonight, dose ammonia in the morning, then test tomorrow evening as I will be gone Tuesday night until Wednesday night.

 

I got a hidden sponge too. Skull on the left.

 

I didn’t get pictures as I was in a rush (remembered I needed to test right before I had to leave), but I’m super excited to announce that after dosing last night, the tank read between 0-.25 (guessing around .15ppm) ammonia, 0 nitrite, and just under 5ppm nitrate! I’ll keep dosing and testing over the next 48hrs, but I’d assume it’ll be shrimp safe in around 3 days if all goes well! Note: it will be at least a week and a half before I even start looking for my shrimp.

 

Not likely the water that was in the tank has any BB in it.

 

Not likely the water that was in the tank has any BB in it.

Not the water, but the substrate that the water was keeping wet.

 

Not the water, but the substrate that the water was keeping wet.

probably still only tiny amounts in that as well. But carry on with your project. Good luck!

 

probably still only tiny amounts in that as well. But carry on with your project. Good luck!

The sponge filter is one I have been cycling for 3 months and had to pull out to transfer and shorten the air hose, so I took a quick pic to show size comparison. I’m not solely relying on the substrate.

 

Tonight’s readings!
Ammonia

Nitrite

Nitrate

 

Following!

 

Following!

I'm pretty sure I picked the perfect time to start this tank with all 4 of my local fish stores having killer Black Friday deals every year! I know I'm at least getting my Dwarf Hairgrass Friday, but I'll do a 40% water change tomorrow then retest before I leave Friday. I could possibly get shrimp Friday, but even if I do, I would only start out with 1 or 2.

 

I'm pretty sure I picked the perfect time to start this tank with all 4 of my local fish stores having killer Black Friday deals every year! I know I'm at least getting my Dwarf Hairgrass Friday, but I'll do a 40% water change tomorrow then retest before I leave Friday. I could possibly get shrimp Friday, but even if I do, I would only start out with 1 or 2.

What plants are you getting along with the dwarf hairgrass?

 

What plants are you getting along with the dwarf hairgrass?

This tank is going to be carpeted with dwarf hairgrass and that's probably it, at least to start. I'm also going to be getting a new 50-60g sponge filter for my new 37g Angel breeding tank, looking for slate for it, getting black substrate and 2 new 25g sponge filter for my 10g GBR breeding tanks, then getting another heater, substrate, and plants for my 20g long setup.

 

12/1/20: So it’s been almost a week, I guess that means it’s time for an update! Nothing major has happened since my last post. I decided to give the tank time as I typically expect to see a nitrite spike even with cycled media just because it’s a new setup. Yesterday’s reading showed maybe the slightest of a bit of nitrite, so I redosed ammonia. Today’s readings were .25ppm ammonia, .25ppm nitrite, and 5ppm nitrate. I did a 50% wc and dosed ammonia to 1ppm again. I will retest tomorrow and post pics as tomorrow should be plant day (I went to a couple of my LFS Friday, but neither had any sales on plants. They were also crazy busy/hectic, so I decided to leave and get the plants later.) Also, I’ve decided that instead of doing Dwarf Hair Grass, I’m going to do dwarf baby tears.

12/2/20: The first of the plants went into today! CO2 comes tomorrow!

 

12/4/20: I added the first shrimp today! It’s a gorgeous little male!

 

So what kind you get? My eyes still adjusting from really bright sun today.

 

So what kind you get? My eyes still adjusting from really bright sun today.

He’s a Blue Velvet. He can be hard to see, but once my plants grow in he’ll look great!

 

Ok. I see the blue in there now. Initially looked all black to me lol! I got excited for a sec....like " i need these REAPER SHRIMP!!"

 

Ok. I see the blue in there now. Initially looked all black to me lol! I got excited for a sec....like " i need these REAPER SHRIMP!!"

I need to buy another 5.5. 2 more shrimp tanks!

 

It’s been a bit since I’ve updated this thread. My one and only shrimp boy is doing great! I just got these pictures a minute ago and love them!

 

Yeap, he sure is a handsome gent. Now you just have to find him a couple lovely ladies.

And your tank is lovely. That rock is just perfect for the tank. Can't wait to see how it morphs as it matures and you add whatever final touches strike your fancy.

 

Yeap, he sure is a handsome gent. Now you just have to find him a couple lovely ladies.

And your tank is lovely. That rock is just perfect for the tank. Can't wait to see how it morphs as it matures and you add whatever final touches strike your fancy.

Thank you! I’m proud of how far it’s come. I’m still working on getting more Blue Velvets!

 

Katie, I have a feeling you are going to be like me. I enjoy aquascaping, not only do I use it as a stress reliever, but it also sparks my artistic side. I am forever fussing over the tanks, moving this plant, trimming that plant and deciding what plants I need to get to complete the look I'm going for. It really is a great stress reliever.

The shrimp tanks are the ones I enjoy the most. Not only because the shrimp aren't bound and determined to destroy all my work like in the community, but mostly because it is just too much fun watching the silly little things.

What I'm trying to say is be forewarned! I started with one shrimp tank because I saw them and thought they were cute. Now I have 3 shrimp tanks, shrimp can be addictive, but addictive in a good way.

 

Katie, I have a feeling you are going to be like me. I enjoy aquascaping, not only do I use it as a stress reliever, but it also sparks my artistic side. I am forever fussing over the tanks, moving this plant, trimming that plant and deciding what plants I need to get to complete the look I'm going for. It really is a great stress reliever.

The shrimp tanks are the ones I enjoy the most. Not only because the shrimp aren't bound and determined to destroy all my work like in the community, but mostly because it is just too much fun watching the silly little things.

What I'm trying to say is be forewarned! I started with one shrimp tank because I saw them and thought they were cute. Now I have 3 shrimp tanks, shrimp can be addictive, but addictive in a good way.

I had shrimp forever ago and got back into them with this tank. I’ve got 2 shrimp tanks now with a 3rd tank sitting.