The Foundation
A living slice of nature—balanced and engineered to run smoothly even when life gets busy. This is Project Tank #000, the system that became the foundation for the entire FishKeepingLifeCo ecosystem.
When I became a father, time for the hobby became unpredictable. I needed a stable, low-maintenance tank that could operate safely even during missed maintenance weeks. This build became the answer, and ultimately, the spark that shaped our philosophy of simplicity, balance, and long-term stability.
Quick Specs
The Origin: Built for Real Life
This tank started as a practical goal: build something stable enough to handle real life—new parent responsibilities, unpredictable schedules, and long workdays. The solution required overfiltration and a design approach that prioritized biological balance over gadgets.
Drilling the tank, cutting glass for the sump, and building custom baffles were all new skills. Taking the leap was intimidating, but doing it taught me the lesson that guides much of FKLC today: patience pays off, and working slowly and deliberately builds long-term stability.
If you can build a sump, you can build anything.
The Filtration System
Most 29-gallon tanks rely on HOBs or canisters. This one runs a full DIY sump supported by an undergravel filter and a few key techniques that work together to create a stable environment.
1. Custom 5-Gallon Sump
Designed for freshwater performance with mechanical → chemical → biological progression.
Uses Purigen for water clarity, Seachem Stability for microbiology, and includes a refugium chamber for nutrient uptake.
2. Undergravel Filter (with Weed Cloth)
An old approach adapted for modern use. The weed cloth prevents clogging and forces a slow, consistent
pull through the substrate, delivering oxygen and nutrients where plant roots thrive.
3. Random Flow Generator
Borrowed from reef systems, the RFG breaks up return flow to create natural, variable water movement.
Even the Betta engages with it, letting gentle pulses roll across his fins.
4. VersaLid Full Seal
Keeps evaporation steady, prevents shrimp and snails from escaping, and maintains the clean, flush look of the tank.
The Livestock Community
This tank shows how diverse communities can work when built on balance and stability.
Centerpiece:
- Betta ("The King"): Calm, interactive, and confident. Treats the tank like his territory while coexisting peacefully with schooling fish.
Schooling Fish:
- Cardinal Tetras
- Multi-generational Cherry Barbs
Substrate Crew:
- Kuhli Loaches
- Panda Loaches
Invertebrate Team:
- Amano Shrimp
- Red Cherry Shrimp
- Malaysian Trumpet Snails
- One remaining Mystery Snail from the original trio
This mix has remained stable for a long time, a reflection of consistent conditions and thoughtful stocking.
Aquascaping: Function-First Design
Rather than a traditional U-shape layout, this aquascape uses a natural, riverbank-inspired structure with:
- Red Tiger Lotuses rising in the front-left corner
- A dense moss bush in the front-right for micro-territories
- Tall background stems for depth
- Open central swimming lane
- Layers arranged to break sightlines naturally
Lighting is tuned for balance—bright enough for steady growth, low enough to avoid algae. No CO₂, yet plants stay dense and healthy through biological stability alone.
No-CO₂ Performance
This system grows several CO₂-demanding plants without a pressurized setup. The balance comes from:
- Controlled lighting
- Nutrient-rich substrate
- High biological filtration
- Consistent water movement
The result: clear glass, strong greens, and slow, steady lotus growth without algae issues.
Behavior Observations
The Betta quickly became the personality of the tank—curious, interactive, and aware of the room. He responds to movement, inspects hands, and uses the RFG for gentle current play.
Schooling fish feed instinctively: they ignore food until water movement begins, a behavior driven by motion-based hunting cues.
Snails become active immediately after water changes, often giving the first visual indication that the ecosystem has reset.
Challenges & Maintenance Notes
Like any ecosystem, this tank has ongoing challenges:
Nitrate Starvation: Plant growth is strong enough that nitrates run low and require supplementation.
Sump Noise: Child-safe lids and tight seals create occasional vibration noise.
Refugium Debris: The return pump net catches plant fragments and needs periodic clearing.
Toddler Safety: Lids remain fully sealed at all times.
Why This is Project Tank #000
This build represents the beginning. It's the project that taught essential DIY skills, reinforced the value of patience, and shaped the design philosophy behind FishKeepingLifeCo.
This tank is not Feature #001—it's the prototype.
The blueprint.
The spark that made the rest possible.
PROJECT TANK #000 remains the foundation of everything that followed.