Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
This is an update. If you like to see the time lapse of first 2 months, see this video: youtube.com/watch?v=TYrqG3ORTGo
Also, all the information about plants list, light, substrate, etc. are in the description of above link.
Similar dimensions 5 gallon aquarium(mine was custom made at a LFS) amzn.to/2uyXcgO (you can't grow plants with the provided light)
Bubble Bowl BEST ONE! (around 10gallonish) amzn.to/2sgcPsZ
Bubble Bowl Similar size as mine (around 7 gallons) amzn.to/2usPypx
Bubble Bowl Similar size as mine 2 (around 7 gallons) amzn.to/2usYVW8
Desk lamp (I used the clamps to mount it) amzn.to/2svkS9s
GE CFL light bulb (14w 6500K) amzn.to/2tAPVQo
The exact bulb I used (osram 14W coolwhite) I can't find it...sorry goo.gl/75Ri9j
miracle gro organic choice potting mix amzn.to/2tyHm9g
2~3mm gravel 20lb bag amzn.to/2gJ5tOl
2~3mm gravel 5lb bag amzn.to/2y3e3ih
Mini round shape magnet scrubber amzn.to/2sfJUW0
50W heater amzn.to/2tAQOsy
Heater cover so plants won't get burned amzn.to/2sw42ap
Tiny thermometer amzn.to/2tAwFmg
The book that I read to make this aquarium:
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(Hard cover) amzn.to/2tB4xiZ
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(digital) amzn.to/2svT0Sy
Yes, my betta is gone. I was out of town for a few days and he disappeared from the tank. It took me over 10 minutes to find him behind the desk. I thought the duckweed barrier would be enough, but turned out it wasn't. He became a betta jerky. So sad. :_( R.I.P.
That's why I have a lid, now. I might get another betta, but, not sure yet, since the shrimp are much happier and they've been breeding non stop.
Not all of the livestock are shown in the video. Most of them are hiding.
This has been the most low maintenance tank ever. I've never cleaned the tank the entire time. Only water changes here and there. However it did require lots of trimming and throwing away the duckweed when they'd multiplied too much. And there's still almost NO algae.
Tutorial of a similar setup: youtube.com/watch?v=fA4ghk0vDqM
Bowl setup: youtube.com/watch?v=6G5LgVj1sKM
This is an update. If you like to see the time lapse of first 2 months, see this video: youtube.com/watch?v=TYrqG3ORTGo
Also, all the information about plants list, light, substrate, etc. are in the description of above link.
Similar dimensions 5 gallon aquarium(mine was custom made at a LFS) amzn.to/2uyXcgO (you can't grow plants with the provided light)
Bubble Bowl BEST ONE! (around 10gallonish) amzn.to/2sgcPsZ
Bubble Bowl Similar size as mine (around 7 gallons) amzn.to/2usPypx
Bubble Bowl Similar size as mine 2 (around 7 gallons) amzn.to/2usYVW8
Desk lamp (I used the clamps to mount it) amzn.to/2svkS9s
GE CFL light bulb (14w 6500K) amzn.to/2tAPVQo
The exact bulb I used (osram 14W coolwhite) I can't find it...sorry goo.gl/75Ri9j
miracle gro organic choice potting mix amzn.to/2tyHm9g
2~3mm gravel 20lb bag amzn.to/2gJ5tOl
2~3mm gravel 5lb bag amzn.to/2y3e3ih
Mini round shape magnet scrubber amzn.to/2sfJUW0
50W heater amzn.to/2tAQOsy
Heater cover so plants won't get burned amzn.to/2sw42ap
Tiny thermometer amzn.to/2tAwFmg
The book that I read to make this aquarium:
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(Hard cover) amzn.to/2tB4xiZ
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(digital) amzn.to/2svT0Sy
Yes, my betta is gone. I was out of town for a few days and he disappeared from the tank. It took me over 10 minutes to find him behind the desk. I thought the duckweed barrier would be enough, but turned out it wasn't. He became a betta jerky. So sad. :_( R.I.P.
That's why I have a lid, now. I might get another betta, but, not sure yet, since the shrimp are much happier and they've been breeding non stop.
Not all of the livestock are shown in the video. Most of them are hiding.
This has been the most low maintenance tank ever. I've never cleaned the tank the entire time. Only water changes here and there. However it did require lots of trimming and throwing away the duckweed when they'd multiplied too much. And there's still almost NO algae.
Tutorial of a similar setup: youtube.com/watch?v=fA4ghk0vDqM
Bowl setup: youtube.com/watch?v=6G5LgVj1sKM
