Need a couple recommendations

Right, so I'm collecting a tank today. It's 95cm x 35cm x 50cm (my calculations say 166.25l). It's second hand but comes with a canopy, heater and a couple of ornaments.
Obviously, I still need substrate, a filter and lighting. I haven't had fish for 4 years and based on what I'm reading on the forums, alot has changed in that little period.

I'm not terribly fussed about lighting at this point. I can get a light for the tank post-pay day.

But, I would like some ideas for substrate and filteration.
I've previously always had gravel and my fish did well with it. I'm planning on getting a mini-school of albino corys. I do want to add some easy-growing plants, but am happy to mix it up a bit with some silk plants too (to give the illusion that I know how to grow plants). My previous plant-growing experience had me succeeding with amazon swords, provided I left them in their pots, and I was a master at growing Vallis, but they're not exactly difficult anyway. Everything else died after a while. So, should I go for gravel again, or something else? I have used silica sand in the past too and found it to be a bit messy, especially while siphoning the tank. And I do prefer the "darker" look of the gravel.

Then, filters:
I've previously always had UG filters and had great success with them (with gravel, not sand obviously). I've now discovered they're "old-school". Can anyone suggest a low-maintenance filter system that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? My budget for the filter is R200-R300. Not much, I know, but I am planning on cycling the tank and stocking it very slowly with platies, corys, white clouds, kuhli loaches and a pair of kribs. Stocking will be staggered over a period of months. If need be, I can upgrade the filter a bit later.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Some people still prefer gravel in their tanks but as you've said there has been some changes to fish keeping and setting up aquariums. If you want a darker substrate you can look into some Flourite, a bit expensive but excellent especially if you want to go the palnted route, always worth saving up a couple of moola's and buy something decent. There is some ADA available on the market as well, also a bit pricy but every cent worth. You can opt for mixing your own mineralized soil as well if you prefer.

On filters, yes underground filters are "old school" and most aquarists prefer to stay away from them as all the gunk settles underneath it and is a good recipe for some disaster to lurk. HOB (hang on back) filters are not to expensive and work quite well and then there is some canister filters as well, more expensive. You've said that you might upgrade on filtration at a later stage, so something to keep in mind. Then there is also the DIY part in which you can opt for a sump filter as well. Just keep in mind on filtration you need to cycle yor water through your filter at least 3 times an hour but 5 times an hour is better. Never but never under filtrate and never try to overstock your tank as it is a good recipe for some disaster.

Glad to see that you going to cycle your tank before adding any fish.

See you've said that you previoulsy left your swords in the pots, just a word of precaution, rather remove your plants from the pots as the medium in which they are planted is not good for your fish as it consist of very small fibres that comes loose when handling your plants or with current in the water which can enter your fish's gills and cause damage.

Lighting is very essential when it comes to having a planted tank. Light bulbs in the range of 6500K - 8500K should be used as it gives the correct light spectrum required by plants for growth and then you can decide whether you want to go low, medium or high tech on your tank and then of course if you want to make use of CO2. You need to add some fertilizers to your tank as well if you want healthy looking plants, can contact prof @Dirk Bellstedt here on the forum as well, he is from the Cape area as well and do mix his own type of fertilizers called DSD (Dirk's Secret Drops) and he is a master on water parameters and fish keeping.

HTH

 

Forgot to say, there are quite a number of threads posted on planted tanks if you want to go do some research and reading on it, very good advice and information that you can pick up form there.

 

Other easy plants are java fern, anubias as well as java moss. Does not need big lights and once a week ferts will be enough. There are 3 main versions of java fern available, I.e. normal, needle leaf and winlov. All look different and are beautiful. Same goes with anubias, 5-6 or more different varieties.

You can create a fantastic,easy to look after tank with these 3 plants. Enjoy​

 

As I understand it, Flourite is not cory friendly, so please check on that before making any decisions.

Adequate lighting for a low-tech planted tank needn't cost a fortune - forget the lps and contact Lamphouse - the staff there understand what we're doing and have the right thing at reasonable prices.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Thanks for the info.

I've collected the tank and it's quite a bit smaller than advertised. I think the lady was guessing the measurements. It's actually a standard 90 x 30 x 30cm, so is 81l.

And yay, it came with a canister filter. I'm not terribly clued-up on canister filters, so just need to know: there's a little tube attached to the top of the outlet (where the air/current gets pushed out of). Must the loose end of that pipe be submersed or out of the water?

 

post pics of the filter

 

I can't find the exact model and my camera is on the fritz. There's no labeling on the filter itself, but the filter in this pic is very similar in design. You see the tubey running from the outlet upwards? Where must I put the end of that tube?

 

that is not a canister filter, that is an internal filter. and that tube thing is pretty useless unless u like to look at bubbles in your water.
im not sure how big the compartment for filter media is in your filter but you should try and get yourself some seachem matrix and some filter pads or filter floss of it. not sure if that will be enough of a filter for an 81L tank!! maybe you should look into buying a HOB filter and use this current 1 at the same time. you can never have too much filtration and having the 2 filters will help with water movement.

As for substrate, if you are on a budget there is nothing better than pool filter sand and dosing some ferts overy now and then if u have undemanding plants!!
Welcome and good luck look forward to seeing how you get along!!

 

The tubes end must be outside the tank.On the end there is a black fitting that can turn.if you turn it open it let more air out.like a regulator.

 

OK, awesome. Thanks. I'll run this filter in the meantime, since there's no fish at the moment, just a couple plants. After payday (saturday, whoop!), I'll see about getting a second filter. I also have some of that bacteria in a bottle, so will add that and cycle the tank for a bit.

Am on a budget but not keen on sand. Prefer gravel, so am going to stop by another fish shop tomorrow for more gravel. I currently have just enough to cover the bottom with about 1.5-2cm, so recon I need another 10-15kgs.

Will post piccies once the tank looks more fish-friendly.

 

Pool filter sand is a great substrate.....and if you speak to your local pool shop nicely you can get some used filter sand for free. Rinse it and clean out any debris that may be stuck in it before using it. If you like give it a boil on the stove to be sure there is nothing untoward lurking in it. Beats paying for the stuff if budgets are being considered. Most pool shops throw it away when they replace the old sand with new for their clients. PFS that has been in a pool filter for a few years is usually smoother than the new stuff(rounded beads vs jagged edged irregular beads) and is probably less aggresive on the more sensitive bottom feeders. If u near a beach in the cape crushed coral/shells should also be plentifull, mixed with the PFS also works well, and helps buffer your waters PH. Just dont use the pink/red/blue etc gravel at lots of lfs ....

 

OK, just turned the pump on. BAAAAAAD IDEA! The flow is too strong, I think. It managed to cause my heater's suction cups to pull loose from the glass and all the potted plants (still in pots, awaiting deeper substrate) floated to the other end of the tank. The pump also makes a hell of a noise, so it looks like I'm off to price HOB filters tomorrow.