View Full Version : Yayyyhh for meeee *1.2m tank sliding top*
Foxy Smurf
28-05-2009, 08:47
So I have been looking for my very own first tank all through out May.
Last night I went to check out a tank for sale!
1.2 meter tank sliding top with all goodies inc (Crystal heater, fluval 304 external pump, spare parts, filter refills, some bottom feeder fish) and a bunch of other goodies.
:bigsmile: I paid R1400. I believe it to be a bargain next to the R2500 for a smaller Jebo Tank I wanted to buy original. Going to fetch it on Saturday!
They guy I bought from is getting married soon and needed a little extra cash. He was very nice, even said he will show me how to clean the filter and get it going again once its set up at my house.
I'm super excited. The tank is muchhhh bigger than I had anticipated (stompies I bought from Veegal wont be enough now ... :push:)
Any advise on how to move / transport the tank safely? :idea:
I will be posting pics from day of collection straight through setting up, decorating and so on ... Bet you lot will have a good laugh at my newbie maneuvers!! :wondering:
Foxy Smurf...
I am assuming that you are bringing the tank WITH the bottom feeder fish in it? Big mistake a lot of people do is start from scratch, and put fish in immedietely. Obviously with you getting the bottom feeders, this is unavoidable.
When setting up a new tank, we usually let the tank "cycle" for 10-14 days before introducing the fish. Meaning we set it up, heater, filter, substrate, plants, internal decor airstone etc. Fill the tank, and then run the tank. Someone once said that keeping fish is actually not the thing we do. We keep a colony of bacteria, and the fish feed this bacteria.
In the water we have what is called the Nitrite cycle. Google it. You need to know it well. When cylcing the tank for the 10 or so days, you are basically getting the bacteria started. The bacteria is the most critical aspect of any successful tank.
When you take collection of your tank, I would advise you NOT to renew the filter media. We actually NEVER completely renew the filter stuff.. but only change little bits of it at a time. And at most, simply rinse the filter media (in some aquarium water that you have taken out--- NEVER tap water, as tap water contained chlorine and will kill the bacteria).
Also try to keep as much of the water from the tank as possible. You might need to take some sealable buckets with to get the water as well.
If the guy who is selling you the tank is good at keeping fish, then I'm pretty sure that his water is reasonably suitable to keep.
Again I stress, DO NOT CHANGE THE FILTER MEDIA! Biggest mistake I ever made was to change the entire filter media... as well as 50% water, and landed up with all my fish dead!
Before adding any water after you are set up at home, make sure you dechlorinate the water. (Goodle on tips how to do this, or check out other threads).
I would also suggest getting a chemical from your LPS called Stability. I think Seachem make it. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle for 7 days. It's an excellent product for starting a good bacteria growth in your tank.
Then on a final note. Invest in a good Aquarium Test Kit. Api make a good 5 in one test kit, but shop around, you could find cheaper ones. Learn your Nitrate cycle, and test your pH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates for the 10 or so days. When your water has finally settled to the ideal chemical properties, (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrates 0-40) then you can look at introducing the other fish. Don't rush out and get your fish immedietely.
Spend the 10 or so days (because you using existing water and filter media, you could be ready within 5), searching and getting information on fish. Decide what fish you want, how many of each, suitable companions if you going the community route, and what type of water they need. Some fish prefer a higher pH, some a lower. Generally speaking a community tank will be about 7.0pH, but again, this depends on the fish.
And have fun Foxy... part of the hobby is the setting up and getting the ater right. And in my opinion, this is also the best part.
When you are set up... POST PICS. We'd love to see.
Not much can be added from what Zoom has said (very nice post by the way Zoom, very comprehensive) :)
A point to take note of though when transporting the tank - don't let it bang against anything hard - what you can perhaps do is put a layer of bubble wrap around it if you want to be extra careful. Make sure you put the tank in your bakkie ON the wood and polysterene in order to avoid any little stones etc from getting onto the bottom of the tank which may cause 'weak spots'.
I think that's all I can really add to Zoom's post except CONGRATS!
Foxy Smurf
28-05-2009, 10:44
Hi Zoom
There is no rush for dumping the fish in (yellow morphs), as for the bottom feeders I have no where to go with them, they will be transported in a bucket, but will have to go in the tank as soon as its running. (unless some one offer them a temp home until my tank is ready for fish).
I will only introduce the fish on my b-day 13th June .. so from Sunday until the 13th the tank will be cycling (nearly two weeks). During this time I will learn how to test water and keep everything in check before adding fish.
I will get the test kit and, bacteria starter and dechlorination as suggested. I wont change the filter media, he just want to show me how to open and clean in future should it be needed.
Foxy Smurf
28-05-2009, 11:38
Plans for the tank!
Substrate = White pool filter sand (i got some crushed shells as well is this a good idea)
Decor = Moopani stumps (from veegal) + different sizes terracotta clay pots infused between the stumps and scatted around the tank.
Lighting = White and Blue (I will need spesifications from you guys as to what tubes I must buy and if its ok for the fish)
Im not sure what about plants? What is suggested for a malawi tank (yellow morphs).
Foxy,
Crushed shells might be a bit sharp for your bottom feeders. Generally the people on this forum advice against using it, although other people swear by it.
I think I speak for 90% of the people here that the pool filter sand is DEFINATELY the way to go. And once you have oficcially cleaned your first bag of filter sand... then are well and truely into the hobby!!! (It took me nearly 6 hours to wash one 40kg bag... and it was still cloudy when i added the water to the tank. Be prepared for lovely good fun HARD work. My wife says it's the 'little boy' in me that loved cleaning the sand... cause I got to play with sand AND water at the same time! Heehee
Have a chat to Solex about the plants.But I warn you NOW, once you start with plants, you will loose interest in the fishies! The plants seem just that much more rewarding.
Google -planted aquariums and have a look at some of the stnning ideas out there!!
Lighting is dependant on plants... so Solex can help you again. Mopani stumps is also brilliant.
Foxy Smurf
05-06-2009, 08:52
I did get my tank as planned last Saturday :)
Ran into some unforeseen troubles .... Will have it sorted by the weekend "after our get together".
I have a book :The guide to owing Oscars by Richard F Stratton (R110.50)
I have read it .... but wont need to keep it as im not planning on keeping Oscars any time soon.
I'm looking to trade the book for some advise and plants for my malawi tank. I know the malawis I plan to keep is rock dwellers. But I don't like the idea with absolutly no plants in it what so ever. What plants could I put in with them?
If you are interested please pm me :p
Oh for those who dont know I am in Cape Town.
Henk Hugo
05-06-2009, 08:57
plants +malawis = food
The only way you are going to get some plants in that tank with malawis would be if you use plastic plants....sorry.....
Foxy Smurf
05-06-2009, 11:06
:( damn ... guess i will have to settle with the plastic then ...
no one want the book?
But if you don't have any live plants in your tank, how are you going to keep a balance in your tank with all the nasty stuff floating around in your water?
Reason I am asking is that I have a 80 liter tank with just snails in it, and with no plants for oblious reasons. This tank tends to go yukky within 3 days....
Two words.... WATER CHANGES :) That and as long as your bacteria is cool then that helps as well.
At the moment I am doing a 30-40% change every 3 days, and that is while the snails are still small. Don't know how it is going to change when they start becomming larger.
How long has the tank been running for Carping and do you syphon the substrate as well?
Tank has been running for about 1 month now, and no, I do not syphon, there are a lot of snails that will be sucked up
Got 2 filters off those types that you stick to the glass. Don't know what is the right name for them, But I clean them everytime I do a water change, and no, I dont clean them with tap water.
Very strange then.....I don't seem to have that problem with my snail tanks at all....water parameters maybe???
Honestly dont know. But maybe it could have somethig to do with the zuchinies and cucumbers I'm feeding them?
Honestly dont know. But maybe it could have somethig to do with the zuchinies and cucumbers I'm feeding them?
Ahah - how long do you leave them in the tank for?
About 24 hours. By then there is very little left over.
Foxy Smurf
15-06-2009, 13:51
Sooooooooo!!! FINALY!!!!!!!
no more empty tank (took me long enough)
Its a 1.2m tank running on a fluva 304 and a jager heater
here is some pics from start to end.
This is what the tank looked liked after it had a good scrub outside. There was some jukkie black tape as a border under the glass panes around the tank. I scraped it all off painstakingly.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6321/dsc00029y.jpg
I resprayed the glass panes and stuck them back with silicone.
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/586/dsc00031l.jpg
Here comes the substrate and decor.
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9062/dsc00039k.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9852/dsc00043jyb.jpg
Here comes the water
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7596/dsc00048b.jpg
Here comes the lights
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3028/dsc00083j.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1958/dsc00053bth.jpg
Bubbles bubbles bubbles .....
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4149/dsc00082lft.jpg
No fishes yet ... they will go in at the end of the month :)
Foxy Smurf
15-06-2009, 15:31
I saw some albino cory's while we where on our Cape Town outing .... Would they be OK in my tank with some Malawis?
I kinda like the look of them better than a Pleco. Cory's is bottom feeders?
I saw some albino cory's while we where on our Cape Town outing .... Would they be OK in my tank with some Malawis?
I kinda like the look of them better than a Pleco. Cory's is bottom feeders?
looking very nice!
Pleco or Cory..
Yes, cory's are bottom feeders and you'll need to provide for their feeding requirments.
Plecos, depending on species grow large and mess up your aquascape as well as greatly contribute to the poop in the tank which puts pressure on your filtration...
So first ask yourself why you want either of these fishies and if they will fit in with the plans for this tank...
PS: what are you using for a stand there?
Foxy Smurf
15-06-2009, 16:46
Hi Dolphin
It the good old pool filter sand ... I have not planned to put in any plants
Henk said Malawi + Plants = Food
Foxy- That tank really looks stunning! I like the driftwood you using. Very 'sexy'.
That tank would look absolutely stunning fully planted... but you are right.... Malawai + plants = very fat Malawi + no plant.
Henk Hugo
15-06-2009, 17:20
Malawis = high PH - Rift Lakes
Cories/plecos = low PH - Amazon
Foxy Smurf
15-06-2009, 17:34
Malawis = high PH - Rift Lakes
Cories/plecos = low PH - Amazon
lol ... thank you hank .. it seems you are my barer of bad news
Henk Hugo
15-06-2009, 18:33
not really - its just VERY VERY VERY basic research.....
Foxy Smurf, PLEASE can you resize your pics a bit smaller and compress them a bit. Those pics are 1.7MB *each*, ie. not even 4mb capped ADSL friendly nevermind 56k.
To reduce size of your pics, use Microsoft Picture Manager. It's very easy to do
Cheers
Dale
Foxy there is also a freeware graphics program you can download called IrfanView.
Bloody amazing program and you can resize just by clicking a button.
Foxy Smurf
16-06-2009, 13:18
can admin then please remove pics if they are a problem. (sorry)
@ Henk ... I asked because I was not sure. I did do some reading up but got to many different versions. I am a novice in fish keeping and sure I will be asking many more questions, there is LOTS i still do not understand or know. Feels like you are nipping at me for not knowing :( I still have to learn what you know ... Its not obvisouse to me.
Rather provide me with a link with accurate information to improve my knowlege.
This is what I got of the net .... Letting me think it might just be OK for them in my tank. Other sites I read indicated nearly the same ... they just differt in PH range.
"The Cory Catfish is a very hardy fish, and can tolerate many water conditions. However, they prefer water temperatures between 73 and 81 degrees fahrenheit. The pH of their water should slightly acidic to neutral, with a level ranging from 6.5 to 7.5."
Henk Hugo
16-06-2009, 13:47
malawis live in HARD alkaline (7.5 to 9) water with cories and other South American fish living in SOFT acid water (7 to 3.5)
It is best not to mix fish from various biotopes
oh btw - also dont put "up side down" catfish.... only a few species actually come from the lakes and the rest lives in acid rivers in central and west africa..... b ut the shops seems to think its ok for them to go into the hard alkaline waters in which malawis lives....
How are you planning on keeping your PH up and your Alk up? Remember tanins in wood drops the PH.....
Hi
I've converted the pics to links so people can still view them if they want.
The only plants that may survive an mbuna tank are plants that don't need to be planted. Try attaching some anubias and java fern to the rocks for them
Foxy Smurf
17-06-2009, 08:34
@ Henk ... Thank you very much .. that is a much better explanation as from what I could pull off the net to understand. As for the PH my tank at work have only moopani wood and pool sand, they have been doing fine in PH of 7.3. I will make sure to keep an good eye on my tank at home so make sure it stays around the same.
@ Rowland .. Thank you for the tip :) I did read that the taste of Java Fern is undesirable. I might give it a go at some point.
Henk Hugo
17-06-2009, 08:41
yes it will be fine with an empty tank. the moment you add fish and food it will drop due to the rotting process of fish shit and uneaten food... the tanins in the wood WILLLLLLLL drop the ph and soften the water.... wil jy nie hoor nie?!
you need to harden the water and push the PH up to 8.... get it stable at 8ish....
You need to add coral or shell or something in that line to buffer the water.... The water in the western cape is EXTREMELY soft and can drop to as low as a ph of 4.... that is why we can breed discus and other south american SOFTWATER fish in our tap water....
Foxy Smurf
17-06-2009, 08:48
I will add a some bags of crushed coral.
Hi Foxy
I think what folk are trying to say is that you need to make sure you do your homework on every fish you want to add to the tank before you add it.
If you are going for malawis, I would remove the wood as the tannins it releases will soften the water and drop the pH over time. Use lots of rock as the malawi mbuna need this to establish territory and hide away.
The corries are not suitable for a boistrous malawi tank. If you are looking for a ground feeder, get a syno that occurs either in Lake Malawi or Tanganyika. ( nyassae, petricola, multipunctatus etc)
Perhaps also do a google search for malawi setups to see what you are able to achieve.
Good luck
Foxy have you added any fish to your tank yet???
Foxy Smurf
17-06-2009, 09:23
No fish in tank .... I was looking at getting some end of the month.
Why not rather go for other fish which will suit your current water conditions and set up? It'll make it so much easier for you in that you will not have to 'fight the alkalinity' levels all the time.
If you are set on Malawi's though, then I would strongly suggest you take the advice given by Rowland and Henk. Put lots of rocks in there and get some crushed seashells or coral in the tank as well to harden the water. Malawi's can live in lower pH levels - but will suffer from stress or worse. This in turn will give you headaches as they will be more likely to fall ill etc.
Good luck with the decisions you need to make :)
Foxy Smurf
17-06-2009, 10:09
Ok ... I completely understand what you guys are saying. I am here to learn.
Soooo ... You have seen the tank. Let it rip with suggestions of fish that would suit better in it :D
Now choosing the fish is a very personal preference.....how about listing some fish that you REALLY like and we can make suggestions from there. Don't worry at this stage as to what they require, just list the species you like and we can all help with whether they will do okay in your current setup and what other species can go with them. Everyone must please just bear in mind that as Foxy Smurf said, she is new at this and is willing to learn - so let's help her to do just that :D
Foxy Smurf
18-06-2009, 14:12
What about Angelfish?
Henk Hugo
18-06-2009, 14:13
what about them?
what about them?
mmmwwahahahaha.....sorry Foxy let yourself wide open to this one :bigsmile::blink1:
Seriously though, I'm VERY biased towards Angels as everyone probably knows. So I'd say YES! If you decide to go that way PLEASE do not keep less than three of them as they are very social fish and enjoying shoaling. They'll be far more active in a group! (and I have LOADS of small angelfish if you prefer to watch them grow up - they are ALMOST saleable size) :D
You could now add your cory's then and perhaps a school of larger tetras such as rummy-nose.
What other fish do you like?
Foxy Smurf
18-06-2009, 15:10
I have been reading about angles ... they would be better suited in the tank ... and I could have the plants I been nagging about.
How about I come have a look at your babies and have a chat?
I am no rush to put fish in the tank yet. I want it to have a good cycle until the end of the month.
Cool - let me know when you want to come around. There are probably over a thousand babies to choose from :).
Henk Hugo
18-06-2009, 15:35
I have been reading about angles ... they would be better suited in the tank ... and I could have the plants I been nagging about.
would that be 90 degrees, 45, or 70?
would that be 90 degrees, 45, or 70?
:biggrin: Someone's on a roll today - quite the sharp one aren't we? :bigsmile: Clearly you are in a good mood (wonder why????) :hmmmm2: hehehe
Foxy Smurf
18-06-2009, 16:04
@ Henk
I get most my info from here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterophyllum
"Angelfish are kept in a warm aquarium, ideally around 80°F (27°C), Angelfish will do best if kept in an acidic environment, pH should be below 7.5 (note: 7.5 is still slightly alkaline - acidic is defined as below 7.0). All angelfish will prefer water with a pH of at most 7.0. Though most Pterophyllum scalare will thrive in a wide range of pH values."
I hope that is what you where referring to.
And what I meant by "better suited for my tank" means I do not have to get rid of the wood and replace with rocks / shells to accommodate the malawis I originally intended to keep.
From the current set up in my tank I would only need to add some good plants if I was planing on taking on the Angels. ( I speak under correction) That is what I have gathered from reading up on Angelfish.
Question :
I have not picked up any where if you could keep more than one species of Angelfish in one tank?
Foxy, Henk was merely joking with you about the fact that you misspelt Angels as ANGLES he wasn't implying that you hadn't done any research or anything :). He's in a really strange mood today it seems :D
Yip, you can keep a variety of diffent types of angels together. :D
Foxy Smurf
18-06-2009, 16:28
HAHAHAHA ....... Hey! I'm blond! I'm allowed to make slip ups and get away with them.
I did not even notice the spelling .... Thought Henk was making sure I've been doing some home work.
Hehehe - not much slips past here :D But it's great when we can laugh about our little mistakes - besides, you have an excuse.....you're Afrikaans :D
besides, you have an excuse.....you're Afrikaans :D
lol....the dutch ppl are coming after you :)
Eish.....now I've gotten myself into a fix! :D I didn't mean that she made the slip-up BECAUSE she's Afrikaans.....I meant that it's not as easy to pick up on ENGLISH spelling mistakes if it is not your home language. LoL :)
I'm really putting my foot in it....so I'll stop whilst I'm sort of ahead :D
Foxy - most, if not all, of the "Angels" in the shops were originally bred from P. Scalare and are all the same species. They just have different patterns, known as phenotypes. ( some call them "Mutant Ninja Turtles ) :p So keeping different phenotypes ( colours, patterns ) is not a problem at all.
On this topic...sort of...I'm getting my first canister filter setup with the new tank and I have a silly question.
Is it possible to leave the pump flowing while changing water? I mean unlike the normal submersible pumps, I'm sure as long as the input hose is getting water it doesn't make any real difference right?
On this topic...sort of...I'm getting my first canister filter setup with the new tank and I have a silly question.
Is it possible to leave the pump flowing while changing water? I mean unlike the normal submersible pumps, I'm sure as long as the input hose is getting water it doesn't make any real difference right?
I wouldn't think so no. As long as you check that there is water still flowing through it should be fine. I often leave mine connected during water changes but keep a look out to ensure that water is still flowing through.
Great stuff.
How's my logic on filter media...for a Fluval 305.
Top Layer - Filter Sponge
Middle Layer - Ceramic Rings
Bottom - Carbon/Ammonia Remover Mix (never used this before, but figure it's a good idea)
Also on that topic, how often is one supposed to replace the Ceramic rings (if ever), and then the Carbon/Ammonia stuff?
Foxy Smurf
26-06-2009, 14:07
Olla ....
What plants can be suggested for an Angel tank?
Vallis is always good and a natural plant for Angels
Amazon swords are also good as they often use these leaves to spawn on. In fact in my experience, most plants will survive with angels. :D
Gert Combrink
26-06-2009, 23:55
Any plants! They also love some duckweed to knibble on, and therefor will stay away from the rest of your priced plants.
Basically any plants will be ok with angels. If angels don't get what they need in their diet, they will start munching the finer leaf plants like Limnophilas, Myaca, Cabomba etc etc
Some nice echinodorus amazonicus will be nice with some crypts & reds to break the colour
Cheers
D
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