HOW TO 2024.07.12
MINI NA_01 Striving for the perfect small aquarium
Small aquariums are often thought of as beginner-friendly because they are easy to install, but from a production and management perspective, as readers of this magazine may well know, they are actually more suitable for experts. Having said that, however, the W600mm aquarium which used to be recommended to beginners is now considered too big. One solution to this current aquarium conundrum is to propose fully managing (and enjoying) “complete system” small aquariums. The lighting fixture, not just essential for aquatic plant photosynthesis, uncompromisingly impacts interior aesthetics. The Sol Stand RGB does so with perfection. The lighting unit can slide up and down and even swing to allow lighting quantity adjustment and management possible. Even for beginners, managing a layout like the one here- the creation of which involves dividing the foreground and background with a driftwood composition, spreading decorative sand and cultivating an aquatic plant backdrop- is made easy with this setup. And it affords the expert more time to attend fish. There is no room for error in small tanks, but a certain magic radiates from a well managed aquarium of any size.

DATA
Photo taken on: November 22, 2023
Aquarium: Cube Garden W300×D180×H240(mm)
Lighting: Sol Stand RGB (8.5 hours per day)
Filtration: Super Jet Filter ES-150 Ver.2 (Bio Rio G)
Material: Horn Wood, Manten Stone
Substrate: Aqua Soil – Amazonia Ver.2, Power Sand Advance M, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tourmaline BC
CO2: Pollen Glass Mini, 1 bubble per second via CO2 Glass Counter
Aeration: 15.5 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe Mini
Additives: Brighty K, Green Brighty Mineral, Green Brighty Iron, Green Brighty Nitrogen
Water change: 1/3 once a week
Water quality: Temperature 25°C, pH: 6.2, TH: 50 mg/L
Photo taken on: November 22, 2023
Aquarium: Cube Garden W300×D180×H240(mm)
Lighting: Sol Stand RGB (8.5 hours per day)
Filtration: Super Jet Filter ES-150 Ver.2 (Bio Rio G)
Material: Horn Wood, Manten Stone
Substrate: Aqua Soil – Amazonia Ver.2, Power Sand Advance M, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tourmaline BC
CO2: Pollen Glass Mini, 1 bubble per second via CO2 Glass Counter
Aeration: 15.5 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe Mini
Additives: Brighty K, Green Brighty Mineral, Green Brighty Iron, Green Brighty Nitrogen
Water change: 1/3 once a week
Water quality: Temperature 25°C, pH: 6.2, TH: 50 mg/L

The Sol Stand RGB features a pole for swinging its lighting unit to facilitate easy tank management.

Plants
❶Eichhornia diversifolia ❷Taxiphyllum barbieri (Moss Bag) ❸ Hygrophila lancea ‘Araguaia’ ❹Rotala sp. ‘Vietnam’ ❺Ludwigia arcuata ❻Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’ ❼Riccia fluitans
Fish
Hyphessobrycon elachys / Otocinclus sp. / Caridina multidentata
❶Eichhornia diversifolia ❷Taxiphyllum barbieri (Moss Bag) ❸ Hygrophila lancea ‘Araguaia’ ❹Rotala sp. ‘Vietnam’ ❺Ludwigia arcuata ❻Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’ ❼Riccia fluitans
Fish
Hyphessobrycon elachys / Otocinclus sp. / Caridina multidentata