Verdant Spring

Ultum Nature Systems UNS 5S Shallow Planted Aquarium Paludarium Wabi Kusa

OVERVIEW

Creating a Nano Shallow Aquarium or Paludarium: Minimal, Lively Planted Desktop Display Tanks

Nano shallow tanks and paludariums offer a unique way to bring nature to your space without a major commitment. We kept this 2.5-gallon UNS 5S shallow rimless aquarium minimal in design and low-maintenance, with just a compact nano aquarium light and an Ultum Nature Systems Atomizer. This layout was inspired by a few of our past aquascapes. Combining a concept similar to The Hillside—a 5-gallon nano tank turned paludarium—with a lava rock hardscape inspired by our most popular UNS 60S shallow Iwagumi scape, and topped off with the low-maintenance approach of our nano carnivorous planted tank, we merged all of these concepts into one, scaled to the dimensions of a smaller tank. The result is a simple blend of wabi-kusa-style planting, with grass-like plants growing above the water’s surface contrasted with a stone and gravel base highlighted with low-light aquatic plants. The UNS Atomizer blankets the surface with a light mist to help plants like Persicaria (Polygonum sp.) transition to marginal growth, and also creates gentle water movement since we don’t have a filter installed at this time. To offset this, we perform full water changes daily to keep the atomizer running well and the tank clean.