This is 9 months update. The fish are called Sparkling or Pygmy gourami.
This was a crazy month. I lost my favorite shrimp of all time.

Breeding Amano:
Half of the water is tap water b/c I wanted to grow algae. Specifically brown diatoms. Top off and water changes were done using ro/di water. 10% water change every 3 days to remove surface protein.
I used hydrometer and thermometer in one to just check the fluctuation in salinity and the temperature in real time due to evaporation b/c the tank is so small.
Hydrometer/thermometer https://amzn.to/2LLV0jn

But real salinity is check with:
Refractometer (automatic temperature compensation) https://amzn.to/2LX76Fy

I don’t know why the larvae only lived for 19 days. Maybe the temps were too high 26~28°C (79~82°F). Or maybe the salinity was off. ~33ppt. Or the water quality wasn’t good since the tank was so small and relied only on algae for water quality. The light was 14W daylight color single T5 fluorescent left on for 18 hours day for one week, then 13 hours thereafter. I lightly fed them yeast and spirulina every few days, but mostly they were eating the diatoms.

Finding out male or female (sparkling gouramis):
It’s pretty straight forward. At certain angle and the light behind them with preferably light background color, the belly will be transparent. The female has long “organ” and the male doesn’t. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Video at 8:16

The gouramis only fight like this when they pair up and start to breed. They also seem to go after the shrimp when they breed. Usually they leave the shrimp alone.

Auto top off: Video at 4:30
Air hose connector https://amzn.to/2LTzVCX
Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit https://amzn.to/2vfSd7J
Dremel 3000 http://amzn.to/2C9t4Ad

Torch that I used(This torch lasts forever.) http://amzn.to/2DVf772
Loctite 401 super glue (better than most super glue) http://amzn.to/2DfMkc9
Cheap heat gun with 4 nuzzles http://amzn.to/2BEgdTi
Acrylic cement https://amzn.to/2MaKZrF
Acrylic sheets https://amzn.to/2MN6ZKn
The bottle: (I just bought a drink from a store that had a neat looking bottle)


11 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsUkQGY8vR0
10 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ZAWAVwlSU

8 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLh-4Tzc-2M

7 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyftwc1NLyU
6 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpi4CcHQHTg
5 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU5izzyxqeA
4 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtdkRe6VjSs
3 months update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xut0YAvE8eQ
2 months update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBGcPGQvO9Y
The setup video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvmGJuquuLE

NO filter, NO CO2, NO Ferts Planted Tank Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2155euLw9DN6EU2zBTlDj8-q572aZv7w


This is a Walstad Method tank. The credit goes to Diana Walstad for publishing the organic soil substrate method.

Check out her book in the link below if interested.
The book I read to make this aquarium:
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(Hard cover) http://amzn.to/2tB4xiZ
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(digital) http://amzn.to/2svT0Sy
4.6 gallon low iron rimless tank http://amzn.to/2yKTWST
5.4 gallon low iron rimless tank http://amzn.to/2y5YZeO
50W heater http://amzn.to/2tAQOsy
Heater cover so plants won't get burned http://amzn.to/2sw42ap
Tiny thermometer http://amzn.to/2tAwFmg
Magnetic thermometer https://amzn.to/2LRCrXd
(I'm using the tiny thermometer with a small rubber band to hold it in its place.)

Mini round shape magnet scrubber http://amzn.to/2zx6k8D
Miracle gro organic choice potting mix http://amzn.to/2tyHm9g
2~3mm gravel 20lb bag http://amzn.to/2gJ5tOl
2~3mm gravel 5lb bag http://amzn.to/2y3e3ih

Aquarium scissors http://amzn.to/2BXY1GW
Aquarium Tweezers http://amzn.to/2EWyAZe
TetraMin Flakes (gourami and shrimp food) http://amzn.to/2Gouypo


Daphnia eggs https://amzn.to/2IXY4Y2

Camera: LG v10 (manual mode) stock app https://amzn.to/2JrwD4C
Clip 3 in 1 lens photo kit. I used the macro lens for close up shots. http://amzn.to/2HPggiF

Vegas Pro 15 https://amzn.to/2Hwu5C5


The Best Growing Plants in this tank:
1. Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort) https://amzn.to/2srT6HY
2. Duckweed https://amzn.to/2sl3G4p
3. Azolla imbricate (mosquito fern) https://amzn.to/2LapS8z
4. Najas Guadalupensis (guppy grass) https://amzn.to/2LLN8L8
5. Bacopa caroliniana https://amzn.to/2LIPFpj
6. Ludwigia Sp. Mini Super Red https://amzn.to/2J0SAfu

The rest:
Hemianthus glomeratus (pearl grass) https://amzn.to/2LIIPA5
Egeria densa (Anachris) https://amzn.to/2LJCUuO
Didiplis diandra https://amzn.to/2LJj4j2
Rotala rotundifolia (indica) https://amzn.to/2JbzLFF
Dwarf hairgrass https://amzn.to/2sjG2W1


Music:

Erik Satie
Gymnopedie no.1 (Harp arr.) played by Peter J
Gymnopedie 3,2,1: played by Kevin Macleod