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.

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

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

Bottom tank: Low-tech 3.5 gallon long

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