Hello From China!

[aquarist_in_china]

Hi there!
 
I'm living in china and just bought a tank from the massive market there. it has everything, and I searched around before picking up a tank of a type that's new to me. It has dividers in the back so you have three compartments for foam filter media, ceramic beads, and a separate space for the little powerhead that draws water through it all. The main divider being black means I have a huge volume of filtration (1/8 of the whole tank) for the size of the tank compared with internal filters, but can't see it from the front. I love the design.
 
I've previously had community tanks, and will probably do the same again with this one, but for now it's just got a selection of plants. While I cycle it there's a month or so to decide whether to go for one of the oddities available here, or finally get the pygmy corydoras I've wanted for a long time and build another community around them.
 
Let me quickly tell you an anecdote from today. At the market I saw 18" long sharks for sale, so asked the price. It was about 280 quid sterling. Then I asked how big that type gets, wondering who could house one. The lady in the shop said "it depends on the size of your tank." You couldn't make it up.

 
The tank presently has plants floating around in circles inside it, including some sort of water lilly thing, so I'll just post a picture from the box first.
 

 
Phil

 

[Meeresstille]

That looks like a pretty neat tank!
Welcome to the forum Phil! 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Looks good!
 

 
Confused a little though, you say you're living in China though your status location says United Kingdom.
 
Have you just recently moved to China? If so, thats kinda neat!

 

[aquarist_in_china]

Hi! I'm from East Yorkshire, but have lived in Guangzhou since 2011. it's on the mainland, close to hong kong. I find that 'location' normally ends up meaning 'language' and if I choose china I find things like settings pages become Chinese and you can't always change it back. I can read some Chinese, but I prefer my websites in English! 
 
The one problem with this tank is the mini powerhead is still a monster that the label says can output 600L/hr. In 56L that's a strong current and I'll need to choose my fish carefully. The plan to get a betta will have to go, unless I replace the powerhead. Corydoras will probably be alright, but I'll need to do some research.
 

Looks good!
 

 
Confused a little though, you say you're living in China though your status location says United Kingdom.
 
Have you just recently moved to China? If so, thats kinda neat!

 

[aquarist_in_china]

I also forgot to thank the pair of you for the warm welcome!
 

Looks good!
 

 
Confused a little though, you say you're living in China though your status location says United Kingdom.
 
Have you just recently moved to China? If so, thats kinda neat!

 
 

That looks like a pretty neat tank!

Welcome to the forum Phil! 

 

[Ch4rlie]

You can maybe try fitting a DIY spraybar on your mini power head to distribute flow, if still too much flow, try enlarging spraybar holes. That might do the trick.

Did that on my gf's nano tank with similar mini powerhead

 

[DrRob]

Welcome.
 
We tend to use location to give us an idea of local availabilities. Makes advising stock and sourcing easier. Also useful when people ask about things like medication, as rules vary from country to country.
 
My sister in law lives in Ghangzhou, we'll manage to get out there at some point. Looking forward to it.

 

[aquarist_in_china]

You can maybe try fitting a DIY spraybar on your mini power head to distribute flow, if still too much flow, try enlarging spraybar holes. That might do the trick.

Did that on my gf's nano tank with similar mini powerhead

 
Thanks I'm sure that would be possible. The current at the other end is not so bad, so that might make the tank livable for weaker swimmers.
 

Welcome.
 
We tend to use location to give us an idea of local availabilities. Makes advising stock and sourcing easier. Also useful when people ask about things like medication, as rules vary from country to country.
 
My sister in law lives in Ghangzhou, we'll manage to get out there at some point. Looking forward to it.

 
Fair enough! Maybe I can change it...
 
If you need any tips on places to see nearby then ask away. The big one is the market at huadiwan metro station. If you have more time, consider a side trip to the seaside. At Hainan I saw sea turtles (including a conservation project) and there were puffer fish visible from the harour side. 

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Welcome aboard phil!

 

[aquarist_in_china]

Thanks!
 

Welcome aboard phil!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thought I'd show a couple of pics of my DIY spray bar on GF's Nano Tank to give you an idea of what option you can do for your tank...
 
Here is the original set up, was not happy with flow output

 
Modified spray bar, gives much better flow IMO, cannot really see the surface ripple/agitation, but does the job very well.

 

 
Hope that help 

 

[aquarist_in_china]

Thought I'd show a couple of pics of my DIY spray bar on GF's Nano Tank to give you an idea of what option you can do for your tank...
 
Here is the original set up, was not happy with flow output

 
Modified spray bar, gives much better flow IMO, cannot really see the surface ripple/agitation, but does the job very well.

 

 
Hope that help 

 
I like that! It looks quite professional, too. Certainly, if I want a slow moving fish there's a need either for something like this or a weaker filter. Logically, spreading the water flow out makes more sense as a first option than weakening the flow and filtration along with it.