139.2L (36.7 gallon) aquarium journal

elephantnose3334 · Jun 15, 2025

A new chapter of my fishkeeping journey has offically begun. The new 91cm x 36cm x 42.5cm aquarium (that I got for free from a neighbour in a retirement village where my nana lives) has been set up (without the hardscape) earlier today, with the filter being tested after it was filled up. I've got on the night of 3 June I have used fine river sand as the substrate (the same as the 148.6L tank). Before it was set up, the tank had been going through a leak test for almost a week despite having a few scratches (on one side of the tank glass, not both) on it. The scratches might have come from an algae scraper by the person who previously had the tank for 6 months before giving it away to me. The equipment are the same as the 3ft long 39.2gal aquarium I have in the toyroom. The black card is taped to the back of the aquarium. Hopefully I will set up the light tomorrow.

The tank doing a leak test (it passed)

The water is cloudy at the moment, but it will clear up in a few days (yes, we washed the sand before putting it in the tank).

There is a gap on the lid, probably used for the Aqua One filter. But I want to use the gap for a houseplant cutting or two so their roots can grow underwater. Is it a good idea to use it for this purpose? Also, I am planning on the hardscape (something related to wood) at the moment.

Colin_T · Jun 15, 2025

Is the coverglass 1 or 2 pieces?

You should be able to put some plants on a frame above the tank and let their roots grow into the water. I wouldn't rest anything heavy on the cover because only part of it is being supported by the tank.

Years ago they sold support strips that hang on the side of the tank. If you could find some of them you could put them on the tank and rest the coverglass on them so it has more support.

elephantnose3334 · Jun 15, 2025

Colin_T said:
Is the coverglass 1 or 2 pieces?

You should be able to put some plants on a frame above the tank and let their roots grow into the water. I wouldn't rest anything heavy on the cover because only part of it is being supported by the tank.

Years ago they sold support strips that hang on the side of the tank. If you could find some of them you could put them on the tank and rest the coverglass on them so it has more support.

The tank did not come with support strips. The coverglass might be one piece, but I'll check tomorrow.

elephantnose3334 · Jun 28, 2025

I added the wood and plants (Java fern and ambulia) in the tank today. The tank had been cycling for two weeks and I will keep an eye on the tannins of the wood if they slowly leach into the water (they had been soaking in a container of water for a week). I will let the tank continue to cycle for another week before I add the inhabitants in.

Colin_T · Jun 28, 2025

What fish are you putting in there?

elephantnose3334 · Jun 28, 2025

Colin_T said:
What fish are you putting in there?

My younger sister's three pygmy corydoras (I will add more pygmy cories with them to make a school of 10-12 total) need to be moved from her 10 gal tall, as dad said, so I will do that once I cycle the tank. Dad does not want three tanks in the house, so that's reasonable. For nano schooling fish, I will do my research. This will be a South American nano fish community tank.

elephantnose3334 · Jul 5, 2025

My dad and I have finally moved my younger sister's pygmy cories from their old tank to their new home. I also got 7 more pygmy cories for company. They now have much more space to explore and forage than in their old 30 x 30 x 45cm tank.