New 60L tank

[Siamese fan]

Hey guys, so i got a 60L tank from a friend but it had a cracked bottom...i fixed it yesterday and today i am going to check and see if the tank is going to hold water. This is my first time that i have tried this.

So I am just going to add my fish in this tank! but now i was wondering about backgrounds...i want to keep in natural and i want to plant ferns and some drift wood in the tank. what is the best thing to put as a background? I wanted to put some thin rocks at the back to give it a natural feel and look...but its going to be heavy. then i thought of putting a black background on it to make the fish and ferns to stand out more.

another question is lighting? i have always just added a normal base light in my tanks, but everyone is talking about a T5 light (dont know what it is) is that better than a normal globe?

I will add some pictures as i go...

[Vez]

Okay lets start from the beginning!
You know that you need to cycle the tank first before adding fish? As for the background, I still prefer the black one, plants and fish just look a whole lot better!
Light, well on a small tank like that, and the type of plant(s) you are looking to get, two small T8’s should do the trick VERY well!
T5’s are the thinner type of globe that the normal ones we use in our homes ( the long base lights T8) they are more powerful and have better penetration than the T8’s, but they are more expensive as well.
To grow plants, you need to use the correct lights ( spectrum) 6500K is in the sweet spot (Daylight) so if you decide to use T8’s try and get two, get one that is in the 6000-6500K rating add one grwolux globe, this should be more than enough!

[Siamese fan]

yes thanx i know about the cycle...i will start it today...where can i buy a black background? thanx for the clearing up of my question.

[Corne]

Why you wanna buy a black background, a black refuse bag folded will do ? For now
Fishtenk McGyver it

[Siamese fan]

haha...wel dan sal ek dit try! thanx for the advice...haha

[Corne]

Lol lekker en jy kan dit met cello tape vasplak

[Siamese fan]

haha...will try this and then poste some pix...haha

So i have filled it up with water and there is no water comming out so i am glad...going to wash it and the fill it up with water and then put a old filter in just to cycle the water.

129191292012921

[Corne]

Wait I got nice rocks and 10 kg of gravel
Before you go and buy anything as usual mahala

[Siamese fan]

that would be so nice, can you maby pm me some pictures plz?

[Siamese fan]

i have been sitting here and wondered if i should add female betta's in this new tank...maby 7 or so, and then some corrys and maby some neons or so.

[Corne]

that would be so nice, can you maby pm me some pictures plz?
Basically all the flat stones and sub trade from my old scape

[Siamese fan]

that would be grand! i would love it! what do you want for it?:party:

[Corne]

1 million zim dollars ?
Make me an offer

[Siamese fan]

Corne..thanx for the rocks and gravel...it looks amazing...i have been playing around with it an it will look amazing!

[Siamese fan]

okay so now i have just got a nice piece of "yster houd" at by dad...i cleaned it whit water and a brush...now i need to bake it and then add the new rocks with this wood...

I am sooooo exited!! cant wait!

[emocaveduck]

black bag... lols, transkei style as i know it

[Siamese fan]

if it is going to work then i am glad...haha

[emocaveduck]

cant see why wont, just amuses me no end, but logically is sound

[Siamese fan]

So i have started scaping my tank...just playing around with things that i have..
12925small rocks
12926a big log...

Dont know what to choose

[emocaveduck]

log appeals to me but rocks look better. personally use driftwood hence the log appeal

[Siamese fan]

the thing about the rocks is that its in the bottom 1/4 of the tank...so its just looks big...but is small

[f-fish]

The log seems like it is using to much volume without adding and value to the tank .. you rock caves look cool and add hiding place and more planting options. The real question is, are you going to glue the rocks together like that?

Does seem like you are having fun.

Later F

[Razer2007]

IMHO just scatter the rocks in a natural way and get some plants and moss to grow on it.

[Corne]

IMHO just scatter the rocks in a natural way and get some plants and moss to grow on it.
I agree make one centre heap and two corners and the plants in between

[Siamese fan]

thanks for the advice, i think I will be using silicone to glue them together...i am afraid that if the fish hit the heap that it will fall in them and injure them.. Ill post some pictures later today

Oh and the log made my water brown. :( so now i have to empty the tank again...

[Corne]

Ha sorry leaching from the log
Try boiling the heck out of it
Or leave it in a container of water for 3 months
Or chuck it in a swimming pool for 6 weeks
Or get seachem purigen
Or use activated carbon(not very effective IMO)

[Siamese fan]

I took it out and is tarting to build a thing with the rocks you gave me Corne...its going to look good!

[Corne]

Lekka have fun

[Siamese fan]

will do! thanks again.

[Siamese fan]

so I have just finished building and siliconing my scape...no i just need to wait and then add it to my tank...then the planting starts...where can i buy ferns that isnt over priced?
12933 so this is it...its 10 to 15 cm in height...so hope its going to look good(this is my first try:party:

[Corne]

Skills. Man looking good

[Siamese fan]

thanx Corne

so here is the look so raf...now i need some ferns,filter,light and a heater. sooooo exited...the weekend must come so i can finish this...I hope that the week will be long enough for the cycle..



1293412935

[robin r]

this is going to look soooooo cool

[Siamese fan]

thanx i really hope so..this is a first for me. so cant wait!! :elefant:

[robin r]

thanx i really hope so..this is a first for me. so cant wait!! :elefant:

lol you look just as impatient as i am.

[Siamese fan]

you have no idea...hahaha. My betta is going to love the tank! i am going to add my betta, 3corrys and 6 neons...maby i should add 10 more neons and 3 more corrys...and something els...dont know what yet.

[Siamese fan]

i was wondering if you guys could advice me on what sort of filter and light to buy...i always just buy the normal things...i dont have a lot to spend but i need a filter that wil clean well and a light for my plants and fish...

i stay in centurion so if you guys know of a nice place to buy...let me know...i am going to go around to Dory's Pets on the weekend.

[Corne]

I love the new sun sun canister with ceramic rings and UV light and bio foam for only R450 ?

[Siamese fan]

i was looking at a filter that is hanging on the back or side of the tank...

[f-fish]

Lights .. if you want to go DIY get some Philips Tornado lights .. see http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?3993-Philips-Tornado-Cool-Daylight&highlight=Philips+Tornado

Filter HOB .. heater probably not needed for a few more weeks.

[Siamese fan]

f-fish ile go and take a look at the light...is it cool if i PM you with some questions? and what kind of HOB filter do you think is cool and will work good? but is not overpriced

[f-fish]

HOB's in order of preference Eheim, aquaclear, cascade, other .. I'd suggest you see what your budget can afford - if you can get one up on your actual tank volume that is cool .. see for some pimping ideas http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?6952-PIMP-your-HOB&highlight=pimp I have no clue on HOB pricing - would be more than a year out - all mine have lasted well but try and stay clear of the smaller HOB filters if you want to add ceramic and stuff then a big chamber is important. Also you will probably never buy new filter media for that HOB rather use batting etc

Yeah PM me .. no problem ..

[Siamese fan]

thanx you help so much...cant wait for the weekend! haha

[Corne]

Well don't spend a cent on a filter just yet a discovered aqua clear HOB today in the garage it is massive
It works bar it needs longer wire ?. And some cleaning and tlc
I am open to a trade or I need a air driven foam filter

[Siamese fan]

I dont know what is a air driven foam filter...

[Siamese fan]

today i am going to look for good prices on a few things...cant wait!

[Vez]

what are you looking at getting?

[Siamese fan]

looking for prices on a HOB filter and a light for the tank and a heater. so just shopping around for a good prices and good quality.

[Vez]

pet stop dude!

[Siamese fan]

yeah that is my planning for the day..hope to get some good prices. i am exited

[Vez]

cool dude, hope you come right

[Siamese fan]

thanx man..

[Siamese fan]

I have just tested my ph of my to tanks and they are both the same...7.5..my fish seems to love it

[Siamese fan]

hey guys, just an update on the search today! got a few things...light+balist, heater and HOB filter for just under 500. picking it up on wednesday

[Siamese fan]

so today i got all the things i needed! and its looks good! just needs some plants...then i am set! if you guys have so advice plz feel free to add...thanx

13060

[Zapnologica]

I think it looks awesome.

Try get a few more gaps for the fish to go in and it will be hundreds :)