100% Newbie After Some Advice Starting Up....

[Gr44]

Hello everyone!

I've spent a fair bit of time roaming around the internet looking at various websites, forums and shops for advice and to see what is out there! I even came across a chap who has an entire room just for a fishtank, which was pretty sweet, albiet, border line insanity!

Anyway, I was looking for some advice and from what I've seen this forum seems to be one of the busier and a little friendlier and more approachable than a lot of the others I stumbled across!

I have very, very little knowledge and only have experiance with the typical bathroom goldfish. I would like to setup a tropical fish tank because they're so beautiful and relaxing to watch! I'd like to put it in my bedroom, but space is (fairly) limited. I've a few questions, if anyone could help me answer I could be most grateful!

I want to put the fishtank where I currently have some drawers, Ideally I suppose if it could rest on top of it, that would be best. But I could do away with it and (shudder) tidy the rubbish out within it and locate it else where. The size of the top surface is.... 800x350mm. If I do use it probably looking at something about 600x250/300mm big to ensure its nice and safe in the middle!!

The other option would be to do away with it altogether, in which case available size is (approx) 950x500mm.

So I suppose if anyone has any suggestions on tanks that would be a great start!

Some of the fish I've seen on the web and look like possible candidates are....

Tetras,
Platies
Rainbowfish
Danios

I've mainly come to that conclusion through tropicalfish4u.co.uk so it may be way off!! But would like fish that are a little unusual, vibrant colours etc. Can anyone recomend a couple of fish to start of with ( once tank is settled in ) and what equipment I would need with the tank for said fish?

Many thanks for reading... apologies for what probably reads as a quite dis-jointed message... I'm a little unsure exactly what I need to be asking!

 

[rabbut]

Hi, and to TFF,

Where abouts are you baced? If you in the UK, a Jewel Record 60 or record 70 may be about the correct size for you. I belive the 60 is 60cm long by 30cm wide, and 30cm tall. the 70 is the same bace dimentions, but taller. Have you read this topic on fishless cycling? [topic="113861"]topic[/topic]

You can get some mature media to help things along. See this thread for more info....[topic="150631"]linky[/topic] Its quite a long topic, so you may have a little trawling to do. Alternatively create a post with your location, and ask for someone to donate you some media

All the fish you have listed would be compatible, except the danios, so long as the rainbow spices are smaller types...

A good stocking would be allong these lines;

6 cardinal tetras
6 threadfin rainbows
4 platies

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Gr44]

Hi Rabbut,

Thanks for the reply and welcome to the forum! : )

I'm based in the UK, near junctions 9 and 11 of the M1. (south beds). I had a look at the two tanks you recomended and they are a little too wide for my current cabinent. But if I were to buy a new one I may as well get a bigger tank... the Juwel Vision 180 would fit... if i changed the way the door opened in the room so it didn't hit it! so that could certainly be an option!

Linky I found http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/939.html

If, for example I were to get that, what else would be needed to host the fish above?

Many Thanks,

Sean

 

[rabbut]

Hi Rabbut,

Thanks for the reply and welcome to the forum! : )

I'm based in the UK, near junctions 9 and 11 of the M1. (south beds). I had a look at the two tanks you recomended and they are a little too wide for my current cabinent. But if I were to buy a new one I may as well get a bigger tank... the Juwel Vision 180 would fit... if i changed the way the door opened in the room so it didn't hit it! so that could certainly be an option!

Linky I found <a href="http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/939.html" target="_blank">http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/939.html</a>

If, for example I were to get that, what else would be needed to host the fish above?

Many Thanks,

Sean

All the equipment supplied with the Jewel range would be adiquate for the fish you are looking at. I would only recomend a light upgrade if you are thinking about doing some more demanding planta, allong with CO2. You will only require that if you are wanting more demanding plants though... The filter system, IMO, would be suffice, as all fish you have mentioned are low waste producers. The vision 180 would also be large enough for your danios, and every easily available rainbow also. Larger tanks carry more possible options, and the general guideline when purchasing your tanks, is to buy as big as you can afford and fit in the space you have in mind. Possible upgrades, as mentioed above, would be better lights and co2 for plants, and the addition of an exturnal filter, should you later want more demanding fish.

The larger space would also allow more fish IMO you would be better off with the vision, but realy a custom tank for example would also be adiquate for most of your disired stocking, on the cabinate you already have

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Gr44]

Thanks again for the reply Rabbut

It the details of that item it doesn't appear to come with a heater? I thought these were needed for the lil' guys? It also says....

'These items should also be considered to complete the aquarium: Gravel, or Substrat 20kg minimum, a Thermometer and New water conditioner.'

The gravel is of course a no brainer

I would ideally like to have plants, the plastic things look aweful!! Any recomendations on... 'easy' plants to look after? Call me crazy too, but what items do you use to increase CO2 for the plants? I'm thinking I should stand over the tank and breathe into it alot?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[rabbut]

Thanks again for the reply Rabbut

It the details of that item it doesn't appear to come with a heater? I thought these were needed for the lil' guys? It also says....

'These items should also be considered to complete the aquarium: Gravel, or Substrat 20kg minimum, a Thermometer and New water conditioner.'

The gravel is of course a no brainer

I would ideally like to have plants, the plastic things look aweful!! Any recomendations on... 'easy' plants to look after? Call me crazy too, but what items do you use to increase CO2 for the plants? I'm thinking I should stand over the tank and breathe into it alot?

Thanks,

Sean

Sean,

So it doen't infact, it looks as if no equipment is supplied at this store IMO, it would be better to get your tank direct form your LFS, it may work out more expencive, but you cna check it over for damage before parting woth any cash, and you can also garrentee that you will get all the gubbins from Jewel. They should be supplied all i, with heater, filter, lighting and obviously the tank. Stands are optional, and usualy purchased seporately.

In a tank of that size, Pressurised CO2 would IMO be the best way to go. You can buy kits, or build your own. For a recomendation, visuited the planted tank sub-forum. I have used the Hydor NRG Green system before, and though it is an OK kit, it is fidely to set-up and massively overpriced for what it is. I will soon be switching to DIY Pressurised...There is also a list of easy plants, I belive as a pinned topic in the planted tank section

HTH
Rabbut

EDIT: sorry, it does include the heaters and filters e.t.c, but not the stand.....they just haven't worded it well.....

 

[Gr44]

Hey Rabbut,

I took your advise and went to a big fish store today, only about 20mins away! I had a look round and think I've decided to get the Jewul Triton 190L. It's the tank that sits in the corner and has a nice curved front!! The bigger one would be nice but it's far too much money!!

My local shop sold this for £320ish. I'm going to do some room moving and need to do a little work on the floor before I get it!

I have a stupid question for you... I understand you need to remove the clorine with chemicals for the fish to live in, but can you just fill up the fish tank with normal water then add chemicals? Or does it need to be done outside the tank or something?

I don't really fancy doing ~25 trips with a bucket through my room if I can help it... I could sneak the hosepipe in through the window maybe

Righto... time to sort out some space for the future tank

 

[Gr44]

Actually after moving my wardrobe elsewhere I think the Vision 180 would be a better fit and probably look nicer too.

It's a 180L tank so not much in it, it's longer too so probably nicer for the fish to swim in

Question; The filters the Vision 180 comes with, where is it positioned? I'm assuming it's the huge big black box in the corner on most of the pictures?! It looks pretty horrible... I was wondering if I wanted to do away with it and get an external one, or even better ( if possible ) one mounted in the roof/tray area? with some pipes going into it?

Any recomendations, if its external, how could I hide the tubing coming out of the tank? I'm guessing the obvious response would be behind it

Thanks

Sean

 

[rabbut]

Actually after moving my wardrobe elsewhere I think the Vision 180 would be a better fit and probably look nicer too.

It's a 180L tank so not much in it, it's longer too so probably nicer for the fish to swim in

Question; The filters the Vision 180 comes with, where is it positioned? I'm assuming it's the huge big black box in the corner on most of the pictures?! It looks pretty horrible... I was wondering if I wanted to do away with it and get an external one, or even better ( if possible ) one mounted in the roof/tray area? with some pipes going into it?

Any recomendations, if its external, how could I hide the tubing coming out of the tank? I'm guessing the obvious response would be behind it

Thanks

Sean

Hi, yes you can mix in dechlorinator in the tank, so the hosepipe is a good option. The filter is the black bax in the back right(usualy) corner of the tank. If you were to rip it out, and replace it with an exturnal, you could look at a Rena XP2 (have one available if interested ) a fluval 405 or a tetratec 1200. Remember that the heter supplied with the jewel tanks is also hiden in the box, so a stick-on-the-back holder would be needed to secure it. The tricle filters are ok, but aren't realy an upgrade from an internal, and can also easily leak if blocked.......I know of multiple customers at my place of work, who have had this problem with tanks using in-hood filters. I am not aware of any in-hood filter systems available to fit a Jewel 180 also.
The tubing for an exturnal would exit out of the holes cut in the lid of the Jewel tanks. These may need enlargening, using a craft knife for some exturnals though.

HTH
rabbut

 

[Gr44]

Sweet, thanks again for your help

If you use it, and don't mind me harrasing you once in a blue moon... it would be great if you could add me onto msn messenger as you seem to have a wealth of knowledge! No problems if not though, I don't want to be a nuisance to you!

I've done lots of reading on the 'fishless cycle' so I actually understand what state the tank needs to be in to add fish now... think I'm slowly getting there. Might go and badger the nice chaps in the plant forum and see what sort of thing they recomend next

Cheers,

Sean

 

[rabbut]

Sweet, thanks again for your help

If you use it, and don't mind me harrasing you once in a blue moon... it would be great if you could add me onto msn messenger as you seem to have a wealth of knowledge! No problems if not though, I don't want to be a nuisance to you!

I've done lots of reading on the 'fishless cycle' so I actually understand what state the tank needs to be in to add fish now... think I'm slowly getting there. Might go and badger the nice chaps in the plant forum and see what sort of thing they recomend next

Cheers,

Sean

No probs m8, pm me your msn address if you want

Rabbut

 

[Gr44]

Cool thanks chap, can't pm at the moment because my work webmail seems to be broken... but my msn is 'msn AT gr44 .co .uk' that isn't my email address, by the way