Looks good to me. I would use some peat moss covered with sand in the substrate for the cardinals. If anything like neno tetras I have found peat moss is necessary.

Personally I would add some small vals (corkscrew?) with the plants.

I have very limited experience with shrimp but a couble have survived in one tank.


I think you have a great idea and setup. best of luck.


well except I feel the water changes are unnecessary.

I you don't think a tank can thrive without filters try a 1-2g jar plant it and see how it does.


my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden