Cloning Filter Pads

[Kevstir]

Hi Guys

5 weeks ago i got me a little 30 ltr Aqua One UFO 350 corner tank , well after 1 day i wanted a bigger tank lol , the tank finally finished cycling last Thursday , I'm thinking about going to pets at home tonight to get a Juwel Vision 180 as they have it at £299 with cabinet , would rather buy from my lfs but there just to expensive.

My question is if i put the filter pads from the juwel filter (will get an external eventually) into a pair of stockings and hang them directly in front of the power head (under gravel filter) outlet will that be enough for cloning ???, i plan on taking my time with the tank so I'm in no rush to get it up an running , want to make sure i get the decor the way i want it before adding fish as i rushed in to fast with the first tank lol.

Now another question lol , i would really like sand in the new tank and have read that some say children's play sand is ok and others say it not , what the general view on this ? i would like to go for a planted tank but unsure if the sand would be ok , for such a big tank (its big to me lol) would co injection be needed?? don't really want to go down the co route ..

im also looking for idea on what i should put in the little corner tank once i move the fish to the big tank (community) , was think about going for a couple of Dwarf Puffers and a couple of oto's or getting a betta with some cory cats what you think??..

im still a newbie so be kind lol

thanks

Kev

 

[nukeonekitty]

To cloan the best I have just used the filter pad from a established tank and put it near or around the media of the new tank. Play sand is okay if you rinse it out very well because it is "dirty". If you want to have a planted tank it is best to have a gravel substrate though. My history with puffers would tell you DO NOT GET ONE unless you want it to be alone (which is boring to me). You could do a nice african cichlid community in the bigger tank. The smaller tank I would a peaceful community tank. To tell you exactly what would be best we need to know your ph and hardness of your water.

 

[Kevstir]

its an under gravel filter i have in the small tank would you say placing a pad or 2 on the gravel right next to the pickup on the power head a good idea??

for the bigger tank I'm leaning towards a community tank but not made up my mind yet , seen some parrot fish i would really like so could change my mind lol

regarding the sand , i have some corys and want to get a few more when i get the bigger tank and would like them to have the best substrate so to keep there barbles in good shape, i have rounded gravel in the small tank at the moment which isnt doing them any harm but would like want to go finer at least.

iv read that you can have 1 puffer for per 3 gallons and as my small tank is 8 gallons i could get away with 2 and some oto's , just trying to think of something different for it lol

my PH is 7.2 not sure about hardness but i live in central Scotland and our water is regarded as being soft , i only have the api test kit so cant check anything else other that ph, ammonia , nitrite and nitrates ..

Cheers

Kev

 

[ox5477]

iv read that you can have 1 puffer for per 3 gallons and as my small tank is 8 gallons i could get away with 2 and some oto's , just trying to think of something different for it lol

This may be with dwarf puffers that only get about an inch long, but with all other puffers, you need much more room. It's better to keep them singley anyways unless you have a large tank with alot of hiding places as they will fight alot. Even with dwarfs, you want to give them plenty of space to roam and call their own territory.

 

[Kevstir]

yeah i did mention on my first post it would be dwarf puffers i was thinking about m8

what do you guys think about the way to clone the sponges hang in front of power head outlet or place on gravel next to the power head pickup

didnt get the tank tonight as i couldnt get a loan of my m8's van , should hopefully pick it up tomorrow , seen the Juwel Rio 300 next to the Vision 180 today, man i wish i had the space for the 300