Cheeky New Tank (Bargain) Stocking Ideas

[rodders666]

So, got my hands on a 30x12x15 inch tank with 100w heater and Fluval U3 filter for £30.
It's approximately 85 litres.

Anyway, I was thinking of Galaxy Rasbora but the current from the filter will be too much for them (so saving the Galaxy for my 4ft set up as planned), so, any idea as to some nice small community fish that like a good current?

When I have an idea of what fish I will be putting in I can think about the layout and scaping of the tank (thinking black sand/fine gravel, planted with low light plants).

Do corys and small plecs (bulldog) like a fair current? Fish to go with them.

Cheers.

 

[hobby5]

Corys don't mind current, rather like it. I would not expect the U3 too produce such a strong current, especially as it might lose flow with increased time in use due to filter media clogging. With that tank size go for a smaller species of cory.
 
What are your water parameters (KH, TH)? Depending on that we might recommend different fish.

 

[rodders666]

Apologies for the delay, a poorly 6month old baby is very time consuming.

I tested my water today and as follows:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
pH - 7.4-7.6

My API Master Kit doesn't test hardness, but accoring to my local water company, as of last week the hardness is averaging 11 with a lowest of 7 highest of 18. Their term for our hardness is 'Very Soft'?

What can I do to get an accurate hardness measure?

Thanks.

 

[hobby5]

Going to the site of your water supplier is a good starting point and should be sufficient information if you go for a low tech tank with rather easy fish. If you want to know it in more detail you have to buy special tests seperately. You would need KH and total hardness. There should be some around by API too.
There are different units used for water hardness. Which was used in your case, degrees hardness (Deutsche Härte, °dH)? And where did it state "very soft"? 7-18 °dH do not qualify as soft at all but is rather hard water. But be aware there might be a water softening system installed in your building, which delivers "soft" water. This water is usually not suitable for fish, but only appears soft for your washing machine.

 

[rodders666]

Oh, thanks for that information.
I'll take a sample to my lfs to test and pick up some test strips myself too, see where we're up to after that.

On the water company site, where it says Hardness it just says 'Very Soft', then when you opt for a detailed view it gives figures.

 

[hobby5]

What were the units? If they used different than °dH your water might be soft indeed.
 
Don't get those test stripes they are less accurate than liquid or tablet test. And write down the exact number your lfs measures. Usually they only say `ok` which does not help us at all