Improving My 125L - Right Order Of Works ?

[Matt75]

Hi all,
 
I've got a 125L tank which has fisk in already and I'm keen to improve the look and experience of the fish away from the current environment into something more natural. Therefore, the works I'm thinking of to get it right are below, but just wanted to check I'm going about this in the right order before I commence ordering and planning.
 
1) External filter
Why : Right longer term solution. Actually the right size for this tank. Very quick improvement of fish experience
What : Leaning towards APS 1000 l/h external option as its £49.99 delivered right now and looks decent value for that. I have an old fluval 3+ internal in case of serious serious failure on standby
 
2) Hiding Spaces
Why : The tank is full of plastic / resin components at the moment. Would prefer it to be more slate overhands / rock caves etc.
What : Procure / find / build some slate / rock caved via internet. Any advice on making them for yourself would be welcomed. I have a friend who is a builder / roofer and I live near the Channel, so any self source would be an option if I knew how to cleanse.
 
3) Replace substrate
Why : Small grain gravel right now which my 3 bronze corys seem okay, but its red / black / white and just looks awful to me !
What : Leaning towards a natural sand finish. Any advice on how long / rate of change would be welcomed as I had planned to swap about 1/4th to 1/5th of a tank at each water change (i.e. per week).
 
4) Clean Up Team:
Why : I've got 3 bronze cories, 3 glass cats, 7 tetras (parliament, silver tip, glowlight), 2 female guppies, 1 baloon molly and whilst I'd like a Plec of some kind (maybe BN) I'm aware they like food / bogwood as much / more than algae, so whats a good option to join the party at the lower level.
 
5) Bogwood
Why : I'd like a smaller plec !
 
6) Plants
Why : Would like a natural tank feel
What : I'll go hunting through that whole section at the right time !
 
So - comments / changes of order welcomed as I'm a novice really and if I'm being a doofus would appreciate the warning now ! Also, anything I've missed would be great - I've put an airstone into the tank now, but its a single output rather than a spray bar effect etc

 

[TallTree01]

I'll try answer a couple of your questions:


1) External filter
Why : Right longer term solution. Actually the right size for this tank. Very quick improvement of fish experience
What : Leaning towards APS 1000 l/h external option as its £49.99 delivered right now and looks decent value for that. I have an old fluval 3+ internal in case of serious serious failure on standby
 
2) Hiding Spaces
Why : The tank is full of plastic / resin components at the moment. Would prefer it to be more slate overhands / rock caves etc.
What : Procure / find / build some slate / rock caved via internet. Any advice on making them for yourself would be welcomed. I have a friend who is a builder / roofer and I live near the Channel, so any self source would be an option if I knew how to cleanse.
Sometimes it's fun to get some large rocks and make them into an underwater cave. It's easier than it sounds.
 
3) Replace substrate
Why : Small grain gravel right now which my 3 bronze corys seem okay, but its red / black / white and just looks awful to me !
What : Leaning towards a natural sand finish. Any advice on how long / rate of change would be welcomed as I had planned to swap about 1/4th to 1/5th of a tank at each water change (i.e. per week).
Taking the fish out and then completely transferring everything will work too.
 
4) Clean Up Team:
Why : I've got 3 bronze cories, 3 glass cats, 7 tetras (parliament, silver tip, glowlight), 2 female guppies, 1 baloon molly and whilst I'd like a Plec of some kind (maybe BN) I'm aware they like food / bogwood as much / more than algae, so whats a good option to join the party at the lower level.
 BNs will always eat algae. Best algae eater out there IMO

5) Bogwood
Why : I'd like a smaller plec !
BNs will rasp off wood and need it to help digest.
 
6) Plants
Why : Would like a natural tank feel
What : I'll go hunting through that whole section at the right time ! Anubias and amazon sword and cryptocerns have worked well for me.

I think your schools need bigger groups. Every species of schooling fish needs 6+ buddies.

 

[Matt75]

Thanks for the response - was surprised to get any so fast frankly on a Saturday !
 
So a - shift the water from main tank into a holding tank (I've got my old 50/60L) over next two water changes and then heat / shift fish for a few hours would be okay on the sand change ? Want to minimise risk to fish.
 
I'm aware I've got a bit of a mix of fish, but they came with the tank originally - and being 125L / 80cm long I didn't want to start adding smaller ones to it considering these are 2-3 years old. Thought 30 inches of fish about max for this - with a BN at 4-5inches (I've got a common and a gibbi to rehome and the chap taking them on has BN's) I thought I'd be at stocked level.
 
But yes...its fun to build / create stuff in a corner once the external is configured. Aware I need to avoid non porus rocks, but other than grante / slate any good suggestions out there ?