95L Freshwater Tropical Tank

[ashcole1989]

Hello all and welcome to my journal and documentation of my tropical aquarium experience!

So around a month or so ago a friend of mine got himself a nano tank, and after seeing it and helping out with some research I got the bug; I wanted my own tank.

As a kid I kept a very small tank in my bedroom with a few neon tetras, a kuhli loach, and a betta from what I can remember. My dad kept tropical fish for years but gave up and moved to koi. So my interest had already been fed, with some knowledge and a helping hand to fall back on.

Thus I found myself looking around on the net at tanks, looking on forums, wiki pages etc etc. You name it I've had a look!
I finally settled in signing up here for research, advice, and to share my experience with other hobbyist!

So this will be my paper trail if you like of how me and fish are getting on!

Firstly, to potentially a few peoples annoyance, my tank is set up and home to two mollies, female I think, one silver and one dalmatian, plus two peppered corydoras. My mum got all excited when she saw my tank and surprised me with them as a gift! Yet not to worry as I've done my research so I was prepared! (API master kit at the ready!)

My setup: 95l marina style tank (80cm x 30cm x 35cm), 100w marina heater, external s20 marina filter, 20w fluorescent lighting, small black and white roman gravel substrate with a few rocky decorations and a few live plants.

We are now on day three with no hiccups and some very entertaining fish! All of them seem lively, happy and are enjoying their environment.
I've done daily water changes and tests and I currently have very low readings all round! The water is slightly cloudy and I have a very thin oily like film on the surface, yet both seem to be disappearing. My theory is that due to everything being new it's just from that and will clear up.

So I guess all in all everything is going well! I'll be uploading a few pictures soon so you'll all be able to see my new adventure developing!

I hope it'll be an interesting one, and thanks in advance for stopping by!

 

[ashcole1989]

So as promised, here are a few snaps of my tank from the very beginning! Starting with the tank after I got it home, through to getting water in it (please excuse all the bubbles!) and then finally a day later.
 

http/postimg.org/image/m9hn5hkcl/
 

http/postimg.org/image/ug9mx2af9/
 

http/postimg.org/image/an24i3mf9/
 
My water is a little cloudy at the minute, but since the third photo it has began to clear up a little! I've done my tests this morning and it's reading the same as yesterday, so things are still looking positive Although I'm pretty sure I found a tiny snail or two, so I'll have to keep my eye on that front!
 
One of the corydoras seems much more lively than the other, and seems to be enjoying chasing his reflection in the glass! The other guy just chills out around the back corners quite happily. Finally, the mollies; they are both happily just enjoying the free roaming space of the tank. They are both hungry little buggers though! I'll hopefully be picking up so live food tomorrow for them all to enjoy
 
Once the tank has cleared up I'll get some clean shots of the mollies, but for now, here's a nice little one of my favourite guy!
 

http/postimg.org/image/597xoam2t/
 
Thanks all and take care!
 
Ash

 

[eduller]

I like the black and white gravel. Nice tank!

 

[ashcole1989]

Hey everyone!
 
So it's been a few days since I last posted, and there has been a few changes and additions to my tank!
 
First of all I've added a few extra plants and a dark planted background to my tank! They have made a huge difference to the display and my fish are loving them! My tank has cleared up quite a lot also! There has also been the addition of an orange Lyre tail Molly! Another gift (unfortunately for my tank and fish) and she is beautiful! 
 

http/postimg.org/image/pr31hpnb9/
 

http/postimg.org/image/3t6knx8at/
 
As I added a few things, including some more gravel to make the back gravel deeper, I carried out quite a large water change. To avoid too much stress I moved my fish to a bucket and covered over, with the plants inside for company! Unfortunately the dalmatian molly had a slight accident in this process, and bent herself! (I'm fairly sure she's a she!)
Luckily she seems all right, and has been back to herself today; no noticeable issues, she's feeding and appears straight again

Before the water change, I tested my water again. Still showing to have very low ammonia ( 0.25ppm), now showing 0 nitrite but also 0 nitrate, so I am expecting a bloom of ammonia or nitrite any day now!
 
I've also picked up some extra food for the cories! Some sinking pellets and also some Hikari sinking wafers (was unsure of these to the algae wafers?). They seem to love both of them, although so do the mollies! I'll have to see how I get on with them and I understand I need to ensure they all have a varied and balanced diet! The addition of some frozen bloodworm (which they had their first tasting of today) has gone down a treat all round!
 
So things are looking positive. All in all I'm awaiting for a burst in ammonia and/or nitrite, yet I'm ready to combat it! *API master freshwater test kit at the ready!*
 
See you all soon!
 
 

I like the black and white gravel. Nice tank!

 P.S thanks eduller! It took me a long time to source this yet I'm really pleased with it so far!