A Beginners Journey....update New Pics!

[mrvillicus]

Hi everyone,

Just thought id put a small thread together on my journey so far. So approx 3 weeks ago I picked up a tank from my mate for £30, its a marina 60 x 30 tank with hood and light, and came with a marina s16 slim filter and a 100w heater and lots of fish ranging from 5 types of tetra to a common pleco. This is how it looked.....

After doing some research I thought I would completely change my tank, so firstly I gave away all of the fish, bar two red fin columbian tetras. Then I emptied the tank of water and emptied the gravel. I replaced it with fine gravel substrate and black gravel on top and replaced the water. Being a novice I didnt cycle or anything. I bought some bogwood and a car wreck ornament and then I planted some vallis torta, dwarf hairgrass, an african lotus flower some java fern and java moss. Today I refilled the stock consisting of 4 red fin columbian tetras, 6 neon tetras (4 died straight away) and a blue siamese fighter.

I will be possibly adding some more fish but im not sure what, anyway heres how the tank looks now

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Are those measurements in CM? You ARE going to run into trouble with a common pleco if those are centimeters... Common plecs have been known to get up to 22" long (and the rest).

Just seen your comment about rehoming the fish well done lad! Nice to see someone's done some homework! Wish I did when I came into the hobby! Maybe I'd be less useless with plants

How soon did the tetras die? As they hit the water or a day or so afterwards?

 

[mrvillicus]

i think its cm i havent really checked, the pleco is long gone its original owner has had him back

 

[mrvillicus]

well the tetras took a few days, the siamese fighter lasted less than a day, that was a bit harsh but today I put my new tetra filter in which is superb, i did a 50% water change and the fish seem happy. Hopefully my test kit should come tomorrow so I can get the water tested and Ive also got some more plants on the way so I'll have to get a co2 kit...some more pics after a few changes...

the background needs changing!!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

You don't necessarily need a co2 kit with plants. You can just use a liquid fertiliser once a week.

 

[mrvillicus]

You don't necessarily need a co2 kit with plants. You can just use a liquid fertiliser once a week.

ahh thanks alm0stawesome thatll save me a few ££ !! my filter spurts out air bubbles anyway

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

No worries, no need to jump straight into the deep end!

I've just started with plants myself and I just dose ferts once a week and my plants are going nutso - I do have good lighting for plants though. If you post what kind of lights you have and how many litres or gallons your tank is, the experts will be able to let you know how you're doing on the lighting front

 

[mrvillicus]

well im still cycling the tank and today I had results of 0ammonia 0nitrite following a full water change. I have put a black background on and have moved a few things around, just cant wait to get my new stock to put it

 

[stu40]

hi
out of curiosity, how long does the tank receive direct sunlight, and is it staying put?
Nice look by the way.

 

[mrvillicus]

yes itll have to stay put for now and it only receives direct sunlight when my doors open which isnt often or for long, thanks, im now looking for a bigger tank as this one cant house the stock i want!

 

[stu40]

yes itll have to stay put for now and it only receives direct sunlight when my doors open which isnt often or for long, thanks, im now looking for a bigger tank as this one cant house the stock i want!

ahem, isn't the door closed in those pics?
You didn't waste any time in deciding to upgrade.

 

[mrvillicus]

I cant remember, why would it be a problem if theres too much sun?

I cant remember, why would it be a problem if theres too much sun?

 

[stu40]

Direct sun (even through a window) can lead to algae issues.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

And it will heat up your tank quicker and to a higher temperature than you think.