Hey, thanks for sharing the tanks! I'm always interested in low-tech tanks because I don't think I've ever done one. At least, not intentionally like you've done.
I assume the appeal to them is lower maintenance?
Do you mind sharing a little more about the gear you're using and how you're maintaining them?
Wow! I think you are the first person I’ve come across that went straight to high tech, that’s crazy to me. Here are some of the appeals of low tech to me:
-Slower growth rate
-More of a focus on the fauna rather than the flora in a tank.
-~200-300 dollars (possibly more) cheaper to set up per tank.
-Occupies less space and thus can go places high tech tanks cannot.
-Do not get many of the algae types that high tech tanks can get.
-And yes, less maintenance overall and in general low tech systems are more stable systems. At the very least you don’t need to worry about filling up a CO2 cylinder.
7g tank info:
-Just use la tap water which in my area has gotten a lot better in recent years.
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GH ~6
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KH 4-7
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ADA Amazonia in mesh bags topped with scaping sand.
-All in one tank, so there’s a built in sump.
-Hygger heaters. Really like these, external temperature control so you don’t have to get your hands wet to adjust.
-ONF Flat Nano light.
-Plants- buces, anubias nana petite, trident fern mini, windelov, ludwigia Palustris/sp mini
16 gallon:
-UNS 40C tank
-Same tap parameters as above
-Oase filtosmart Thermo 100
-chihiros c2 light (ended up being too small for this tank, probably will change at some point and replace the ONF on the 7 gallon with this).
-Buces, javas, a crypt, moss, and a few stems of my variegated water wisteria that I put in from my high tech tank
Fertilize both with DIY ferts, I do about ½-¾ of APT Complete levels.
