Hi

[vikki2203]

Hi I'm Vikki,

I am new to fishkeeping and am looking in to getting a new tank, what I would like to know is which tank would be the best for me to get?

I am in the UK and have a budget of around £400 and the space for around 125cm length ways and other measurements have no restrictions.

What I would also like to know is what is the minium tank size for a common pleco as my uncle has just got one and his tank is rather too small.

Thanks.

 

[rabbut]

Plecos need a minimum of 4X2X2, but 6X2X2 would be better (in feet) this equates to 120 or 180 cm respectively. Unfortunately your new tank will not be long enough to accomodate a full grown common. I would advise that you post details about him in the buy/sell/swap section, to find another member localy with a tank large enough for him.

You would be able to get something along the lines of a Juwel Rio 240. These are nice looking tanks, coming in arround the £300 mark. I would use the rest of your budget on a good exturnal filter to compliment the Juwel internal, as the standord filters are a little rubish for alot of fish. Though they are good Bio filters, they aren't too good at removing particles from the water. A Rena XP3 would be an ideal exturnal

I would advise you to carry out a fishless cycle, using ammonia from boots. This is more humane for your fish, than the fish-in cycle your LFS will probibly recomend. If you want more details, please read [topic="113861"]ths thread[/topic] Rena themselves do some nice tanks, but I can't remember any sizes of appropriate models off the top of my head.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[funkycat]

I would get the biggest tank you can afford to set up.
It will give you the most options in terms of stocking, and the extra volume will mean u have more room to err in terms of water quality.

There are also small plecos that can easily fit in a 20 gallon.