Thinking about a rice paddy

[WhistlingBadger]

So, we are leaving Badger Manor next month for assorted reasons; for now, suffice it to say it is a good thing.

Once we've made the move, I am thinking about making a nano (5-10 gallon) rice paddy tank. A Sumatran rice paddy, to be specific. Blue rasboras, dwarf rasboras, shadow catfish (if I can find any) or kuhli loaches (if I can't), amano shrimp, and hopefully a breeding pair of licorice gourami, sparkling gourami, or betta imbellus.

I want to plant it with rice plants (open top, obviously), along with arrow root, christmas moss, and assorted aquatic weeds of a rice-paddyish type. This leads me to my problem. Aquascaping is one of my joys; I love arranging rocks, branches, and such. But there just doesn't seem to be much going on hard-scape-wise.

Any thoughts?

T

[SueD]

I'd suggest a minimum 10g to support that many different species but also consider a 20g long. This would give you much more room for aquascaping. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "there just doesn't seem to be much going on hardscape-wise". Going on where? Do you mean what's compatible with your rice paddy idea?

[WhistlingBadger]

No, I want this to be a small tank, less than 10g, long and shallow. I will probably custom build the tank to fit the space I have available; I'd like a fairly good-sized footprint, maybe 25" x 11", but only 6" deep. All the species I'm considering are very, very tiny, but I will definitely keep an eye on the overstocking risk.

By "not much going on hardscape-wise," I meant that rice paddies don't have any rocks or tree branches in them.

[Boundava]

Oh wow I didn't even know this thread was posted. Rice paddy tank sounds neat in building it yourself that long it's pretty cool. I really can't wait to see it.

And another note I hope your move is going well, or went well and you guys are adjusting to city life, LOL.

[WhistlingBadger]

Yeah, Nat, we got it done! The day before our scheduled move, we discovered that this house had hardwood under the carpet. So, yeah, what the heck, let's rip out a thousand square feet of carpet on top of everything else. ha ha ha

But we got it done. We're out of the country place; going over tonight to clean up the outside, grab my archery targets, all that stuff. New house looks like the aftermath of a natural disaster but we are gradually creating little pockets of calm amid the chaos. At least we have places to sit, shower, and sleep now. :)

[Boundava]

Great news! I love fixer-uppers, we have bought one too, just waiting on the actual close date for this house as it is up in the air now.

How is Bagerling liking town life?

[Boundava]

Wow, neat build and nice plan of action. Can't wait to see the steps as you bring your plan to life.

[KaderTheAnt]

Subbed, I’d love to see this!

[WhistlingBadger]

Thanks for sharing my excitement. Haven't done a new build for several years! Thinking about one of these. Anybody used one? I like that the 24 cycle is fully programmable.
https://us.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...7H1KV96E&psc=1

[Boundava]

Never used Fluval lights...sorry.