Help New 4Ft Tank Advice

[Geordie1991]

Hi recently just started out on keeping fish and was wondering if someone could answer me few questions.

1) I'm wanting coldwater, is there many different stuff and can you add them all at once?
2) How much gravel do I need (how thick)?
3) Is rocks from a beach okay to use and bark from a park?
4) What can I use as a lid which can hold a light stm I just have a sheet of glass as a lid.
5) How many filters for a 4ft?
6) Should I buy plants?
7) Is a 4ft tank an okay size to use as a beginner?
8) Somebody told me to add a couple teaspoons of salt in my tank once all water is in, why?
10) How long does it take for algae to grow?

Thanks alot look forward to hearing answers.

 

[Randi]

I'll answer the questions I can and leave the rest for someone else. First of all, I think 4ft is a great size for a beginner. Many people start with small tanks but they are actually harder to maintain. The larger the tank, the more stable your water will be. If you plan on using live plants, use about 3 inches of gravel (or sand which many fish prefer). If you decide on artificial plants, 1 inch is fine. A sheet of glass can be used as a lid but if you are not going to get any fish that tend to jump you may want to hang your light from the ceiling and go without a lid. If you use anything that you find in nature in your tank, clean it thoroughly first. Pour boiling water on rocks (do not put them in a pot of boiling water, rocks can explode) boil any wood for, I'd say, 4 hours and then soak the wood until the water no longer turns brown. How fast algae grows depends on how much light your tank gets. Hope this is a little helpful, I've never done cold water so someone else will have to talk about that.

Most important, cycle your tank!

 

[hanny93]

I'm no expert but I'll offer my advice.


1) I'm wanting coldwater, is there many different stuff and can you add them all at once?

By stuff I assume you mean fish? There are a few different types of coldwater fish, many need a chiller though.
See this site, it has all the different types of coldwater fish and caresheets for each of them.
2) How much gravel do I need (how thick)?
I'd say about 1.5-2 inches, make sure you gravel clean every week

3) Is rocks from a beach okay to use and bark from a park?
Depending on where you are it could be illegal to take rocks or other things from land owned by the government. In the UK I'm not sure, contact your local authority. But make sure you wash, wash and wash them some more, there are all sorts of nasties.

4) What can I use as a lid which can hold a light stm I just have a sheet of glass as a lid.
Use a hanging light, or buy a lid. I suppose you could make your own but with buying the ballasts etc it would probably work out cheaper to buy a lid.

5) How many filters for a 4ft?
Depending on gallons you probably only need one. Get a good external like the Fluval range.

6) Should I buy plants?
If you want to, yes. Take the weights and the floss off before you plant them though. Don't get them until you've cycled the tank though, plants and ammonia don't mix and you'll just get a burst of algae.

7) Is a 4ft tank an okay size to use as a beginner?
As Randi already said, it's much easier to keep your water params stable in a bigger tank. Make sure you cycle it properly though.

8) Somebody told me to add a couple teaspoons of salt in my tank once all water is in, why?
It can help prevent against diseases, but not if you use table salt! I'd advise against using salt on the recommendation of just 'someone' if it were me.

10) How long does it take for algae to grow?
That depends on the nutrients in your tank and how long your lights are on for.

Hope I helped

 

[Geordie1991]

Thanks very much guys for the replies.

I just have the tank now and really do want a light on it but kind of don't want a light hanging, are lids cheap for a 4fter or could I make one fairly cheap?

 

[hanny93]

They'll be around £50-60 for a lid that size I should imagie. If you can get wood etc cheap then you could make one yourself, you'd be able to get specific shapes at least!

 

[Geordie1991]

They'll be around £50-60 for a lid that size I should imagie. If you can get wood etc cheap then you could make one yourself, you'd be able to get specific shapes at least!

I have seen DIY tutorials for stands is they any for making a lid?

Would it be possible to make a lid which you could put a light in?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

They'll be around £50-60 for a lid that size I should imagie. If you can get wood etc cheap then you could make one yourself, you'd be able to get specific shapes at least!

I have seen DIY tutorials for stands is they any for making a lid?

Would it be possible to make a lid which you could put a light in?

Link is http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/101853-diy-hood-plans/



I can;t see the images, how about you?

The first section in this link concentrates on the Hood

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/110738-how-to-diy-tank-stand-and-hood/

 

[Geordie1991]

They'll be around £50-60 for a lid that size I should imagie. If you can get wood etc cheap then you could make one yourself, you'd be able to get specific shapes at least!

I have seen DIY tutorials for stands is they any for making a lid?

Would it be possible to make a lid which you could put a light in?

Link is http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/101853-diy-hood-plans/



I can;t see the images, how about you?

The first section in this link concentrates on the Hood

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/110738-how-to-diy-tank-stand-and-hood/

I can't see any images