While sometimes more difficult to maintain than larger tanks, due to more volatile water parameters, I love how nano tanks look — especially on the bookshelf in my office. In late June 2021, I re-scaped two of my nano tanks. Here are some photos 3 months later.

Currently, the only livestock these tank house is snails. I’ll most likely keep it that way.

Nano low-tech planted aquariums on a bookshelf
Nano low-tech planted aquariums on a bookshelf

Top tank: Low-tech molten glass over wood (<1 gallon)

Nano low-tech planted shaped glass aquarium on a bookshelf
Nano low-tech planted shaped glass aquarium on a bookshelf

Details

  • Tank — Hand blown molten glass on wood. This is a higher quality one from West Elm that was a gift. It has very thick glass (over 1cm thick!) I would NOT recommend using the cheaper versions of this for holding water, like those found on Amazon
  • Light — Nicrew clamp light. Perfect brightness for nano tanks
  • Hardscape — Locally sourced granite. What a pain to get into this bowl!
  • Plants — Anubias nana petite & microcarpaea minima (carpet)
  • Livestock — Bladder snails
  • Other — Walstad method with an air pump for circulation (black tube is not co2). Weekly 90% water change
Nano low-tech planted shaped glass aquarium on a bookshelf
Nano low-tech planted shaped glass aquarium on a bookshelf

Bottom tank: Low-tech 3.5 gallon long

Nano low-tech aquarium on a bookshelf
Nano low-tech aquarium on a bookshelf

Details

  • Tank — 3.5 gallon Seapora “Betta Breeder” (I would never put a betta in anything this small, but it’s perfect for snails and shrimp)
  • Light — Fluval Aquasky Nano light
  • Hardscape — Seiryu stone
  • Plants — Dwarf hair grass (carpet), Anubias nana, Anubias nana petite, some stray riccia fluitans keep showing up
  • Livestock — Bladder snails!
  • Other — Low-tech: Small aqueon hang filter and an air pump for extra surface disruption (black tube is not co2). Liquid ferts once a week. Weekly 90% water change

Here’s an outline of the light settings for the Fluval above the 3.5 gallon tank. With the snails, it’s nearly algae free with this light intensity

Fluval Aquasky Nano settings