New 24" tank setup- best starter options for a beginner

@Theven I am sure this new journey you are starting with the kids is really exciting and I have a soft spot to see kids get into this hobby ...so from my side I would like to give the kids two bronze corries for free if you keen. I am out in Centurion ...PM if keen

 

This is such a lovely gesture.

@Lord Vader I do not agree with you blaming me for your bad decisions, but I'll accept it because it's you hahaha.

@Theven everything is covered in this thread pretty much and I'm really impatient to see the outcome of this tank

 

lol

 

Lol thank you all for the advice much appreciated @Abrar. Will definitely take u up on that offer as soon as I get this tank up and running thanks so much!!

 

Hi @Theven

Welcome to the Forum!!

As far as planted tanks go, its not my strong point but some great advice has been given already

Only thing i can think of adding is, if you going planted, do some homework and ask if necessary as some fish like to eat the plants

As for the under gravel filters, I also used them back in the day... ( we giving our age away?) I wouldnt go that route.... Its a mission if you need to clean under the filter at some stage
There are various other filters that can be used internally if you dont mind it or outside
As @A new day mentioned,hang on backs or small canister are much easier to remove and clean... just a thought

 

Hi @MariaS thank you so much for your feedback.... I was wondering if undergravel filters are used at all these days... Hardly hear of them and I used to love the way my old one worked with a powerhead!! Lol u right definitely giving away our age.

Appreciate the help! Thanks so much

 

So have an update after along while got the tank up and running busy with cycling. Got some advice from Desh as well... Here are first pics. Going to run it out for next 2 weeks to let it stabilise before adding in fish.

Took the advice from the guys, Langa 8kg, Ms zetlight, seachem tidal 35.... Cost alot to be honest but I took the advice and decided to invest in it once off.

Still a way to goo but it's looking so much better and kids and really into it now already!! Appreciate everyone's advice to get me here

On plants side two java fern, Amazon sword and Monte Carlo for front carpet.

Have a piece of spiderwood as well soaking in some water, need to get out any biofilms for next 3 days before I can add it in. Plant to attach the java fern to it when it's in...

Appreciate any feedback or advice on next steps

 

Oh yes forgot to mention added in seachem stabiliser today, water is abit cloudy but I guess it's to be expected and it will clear up in next few days

 

I have a tidal35 also and it cleared my 150l tank up in like an hour. What media you have in there?

 

Standard seachem filter media... Still abit murky... But getting better. Any suggestions on what filter media to help improve the tidals effectiveness?

 

Nice! Remember to keep your heater submerged otherwise it'll pop.

 

Thanks for this one!! Lemme go do it now lol

 

Want to add some other plants to foreground to get better coverage at back still thinking what would look best...

 

I added some filter floss on top of the matrix and changed it every few days.. ran it on that tank for a week only though

 

Thanks for the tip I'm going to try this...

 

@Lord Vader and I were actually amazed by how fast the tank cleared up coz it was extremely cloudy and an hour later was perfect

 

So have some updates to tank... Going well now. Fish looking great kids are over the moon to feed them and kept some cool names as well plants growing well thank u guys for all the support

 

What type of rock are you using?

Certain rocks can leach calcium into the water which will raise your PH and water hardness which is not a good thing for some species of fish.

I could be wrong but i think your rocks are leaching calcium by the looks of the water stains on your tank.

 

Could also just be hard water - Joburg has pretty hard tap water