Journal Rocco's No-Tech Bowl Scaping Thread - with APT Feast!

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

The bowl is growing very quickly!

I added 12 S-Grade CRS Caridina shrimp. They're the perfect inhabitants for a bowl like this...

Water is unfortunately murky, I think there's a lot of tannins being released from the large driftwood and it's not gonna stop for a while.

First planted:



29 days later:

Limnophila heterophylla is an awesome plant for low tech. Grows SUPER fast, stays bushy with trimming!


Helanthium tenellum looking pristine. Starting to send runners everywhere, no algae in sight. Stays lower than dwarf sag, I think it's a better carpeting plant than dwarf sag in general.



Ludwigia super red is growing fast but doesn't look amazing. Still, it adds color and texture.


Before water change and trim...



After water change and trim.

Info:

• Approx 6gal actual volume.
• Remove 3 gallons every week, refill with pure RO water.
• When removing water, use a cup to remove all surface scum. Remove to known marked "3-gallon" line.
• Remineralize incoming 3 gallons to 30ppm Ca, ~8ppm Mg.
• Dose incoming 3 gallons with APT 3 with a syringe, 1mL/gal. So, 3mL.
• Feed the inhabitants once or twice a week.

Easy as can be!

 

[snowballs99]

Did the RCS do well in this set up and breed much?
I've got a 10 gallon tank with PRL I'd like to go filter less but didn't wanna risk killing the shrimp. It's filled with moss so I doubt ammonia spikes would be an issue.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

We'll see! They're all only about 12 days into the bowl. No deaths, and they all look happy and healthy. Even found a molt already. I ordered more because I like them so much!

They're perfect for a bowl because they're even smaller than cherry shrimp, and the bowl is like a magnifying glass.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Did you try boiling that wood for an extended period? That helps leach it out faster too.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I did, for like 2 hours, but it's "iron wood" which has sooooo much tannin release.

It's ok, 50% WC twice a week for the next month will keep it clearer. I'm not too worried about it.