Glad to be here

Hi All

As my title says - glad to be here. What a great forum.

Quite new to aquariums, but have spent the passed few weeks or so with some dedicated research and work on the subject. I recently helped a friend finish a custom 750 litre Cichlid tank and I must say I'm hooked! I have now inherited his 250 Litre tank to begin my first project. I love DIY and I will be completing my first tank project with as much DIY as possible, specifically lighting. I definitely want to go the planted tank route and have put immense research into setup, but all the research is nothing without experience to guide you.

I'm gonna take it slow and hopefully get some good guidance from all you experienced aquarists.

So far all I have is - The 250 litre tank (1200 x 450 x 450), the canopy (which I have ordered) and a stand. So humble beginnings...

Looking at easier plant species to start, but I am going all out with lighting and C02.

Busy browsing for components for my DIY lighting system. Looking for about 120 Watts. 4 x 39 Watt T5's custom fitted to the canopy. About 0.5 Watts per litre.

Any advice or good suppliers for these components?

Other things on the wishlist: (please advise where possible)

External Canister Filter 1000 l/h (with UV would be cool, but dependent on budget of course) I've seen hang-on filters and internal power filters are the cheaper option - Pro's and Cons? - I see Dophin canisters are quite well priced - any good?
300 Watt Heater (Enough?)
Some decent Substrate and gravel suited for planting
DIY or semi-DIY C02 system.
Plant species - so much to choose from and looking for a good supplier.
Fish - eventually. Zebra/Lepoard Danios, Ruby Barbs, Ottos, maybe mix it up with a Red Tailed Black Shark.
A great Local store - Heard Pet Stop and Dory's are good, but I'm in JHB. ?

I would like to Journal the whole process, how do I go about doing that on the forum?

Long-winded first post I know...

Looking forward to getting started!

Meen.

 

Hello! Welcome! Hope you have a great time here, and just one word of warning - be careful of buying plants at the lps - they frequently sell non-aquatics. If in doubt, take pics and post here before you buy... someone will id for you. Also, members sometimes offer cuttings and extras here - best way to get the nice stuff - but you need to answer the posts quickly!

 

hi and welcome. wrt the hood if you have ordered the plastic black ones - cancel that order - rather DIY one out of some wood - many ideas on the DIY pages it will also be better for the lighting as those plastic hoods have that awkward step in them.
for filters if you can afford it then definately get the cannister
300 watt heater good enough for that tank
substrate plenty options here price and preference will decide that - regular pool filter sand can be used.

 

Hi and Welcome

If you want to keep plants PFS will suffice. If you want to grow plants then go for something with a little more nutrition for the plants. Also with CO2 nutrient uptake is increased so you will have to fertilize. Again plants can survive without much ferts but they thrive with it. It also depends on what plants you get. Darker green plants require less light and care. Red plants require lots of light unless you dont mind them going green again.

As for lighting normal Osram or similar lights will do. No need to buy expensive lights from the fishstore. Usually T5s are good.

 

Welcome to the dark side :nuts:

 

Hi, welcome to TASA!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey Guys

Thanks a mil for the speedy responses.

@Linga - Gonna take your advice on the hood, Its already paid for, but no stress didn't cost an arm and a leg. I also enjoy DIY as stated. I will certainly check out the DIY pages for some ideas. No hurry here at all, going to take my time.

@tracyp - Will definitely bare that in mind. Thank you.

@TheGrissom - Thanks man. Saw a few threads about PFS here. Always like supporting the stores, but lighting is quite overpriced.

Cheers,

 

When TheGrissom refers to normal Osram lights, he still means 6500K or higher it seems from other posts. Cool White (4000K) will do as well, but not as great as Daylight (6500K) or anything higher will do

 

I've seen the 6500K lights. Didn't think you could get any higher...

Thanks!

 

Yes I do mean from 6500K and up. Thanks for the clarification DigiGram.

 

Hi everyone

I have recently adopted a tank from the old owners of the house we have just moved into. It had a small waterfall pump, was full of guppies and neons, one random plant and some brown gravel. It was filthy! I have no idea how the poor lil guys even survived. Since taking it on I have totally changed everything! New (plastic) plants, A boat, a new pump and even some new additions! a whiptailed pleco, 4 angels and 4 little glowlights. Eventually I would like to add some real plants but since I am new to aquarium keeping I want to wait a little bit first. I am so happy to have found this forum online so that I can ask advice every now and then ;p

 

@mr_meen yes you get higher, look at the H7 lights on new cars, those easily go up to 15000K and beyond, thats why they look more blue than white
A small comparison guide follows, but remember 4000K is cool white, what is normally used in offices and CFL's in the house, while 2700K is incadescent, those old bulbs that generated more heat then light... I had a better comparison somewhere, but this one should do.

 

Welcome to TASA!
hope you enjoy the forum, hobby and new-found friends.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum, I look forward to seeing how your setup takes shape.

 

A big thanks for all the welcomes.

Certainly the most friendly forum I have experienced.

Will certainly keep you guys posted.

I will start a thread of the process. Begun the design of my canopy and lighting fixtures. Glad to say I have Industrial Design studies under my belt, so it's a lot of fun. Will post up the 3D model of the canopy.

Thanks a million.

 

Welcome!