Is This Tank Still Suitable For Keeping Fish?

[CheeseWeasel]

Hi,

I'm new to fishkeeping and looking for some advice. I've got an old tank that belonged to my uncle and its a decent size but a bit old and has what looks like a small bit of rust on the glass? I'm wondering if this tank will still be suitable for keeping fish in it?

It also comes with a pump, gravel and some plants and decorations. Am I best using this tank or junking it and starting from scratch? I take it I will probably need a new pump anyway, a heater and a filter, a water testing kit and a dechlorinator? Is there anything else I've missed?

I've attached a picture of the tank, you can just see the rust (appears to be rust anyway) on the left of the tank at the front.

Image here (very large)

What do you guys think?

 

[PDSimon]

Glass can't rust... Did you try washing it? It's more likely something else has rusted onto it...

what filter is it? it could be that you could just wash it and get new media..depending on how old it is?

You got most things covered, how do you intend on cycling the tank? i'd advise reading the beginners section on cycling.

you may also want a different substrate, but if you keep that one, wash it thoroughly

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Alright CheeseWeasel,

Welcome

Have a look around there are some good people who will help you out on here. Nice looking tanks! Lots to learn! lol

make sure your pump pumps air correctly or buy a new one (only cheap) test heater buy thermometer to test that your going to need one for the tank (if you aint got one)have you got a filter? better off with external (personal preference)

Follow what PDsimon said (Nice bloke)


Clint.

 

[CheeseWeasel]

thanks for the reply and advice. I'm glad I don't need a new tank as this one is the perfect size. How would I clean it out? just water or is there some chemical I should be using? Are the plants and wood okay to reuse? I think I would prefer sand in the tank would sand be appropriate in this tank?

I currently don't have a filter and the pumps ancient so I'll find out the exact size of the tank tomorrow and post it for some recommendations on equipment. I think I'm going to fishless cycle with pure ammonia unless I can find some established media.

as for fish I would like some shoaling fish and a few larger fish, how many would be appropriate in a tank of this size?

 

[Assaye]

Hard to tell exactly how big it is, so if you could give us it's volume or dimensions we can help with stocking.

So glad you're going to fishless cycle - there's an excellent article in the Beginner's Resource Centre about it if you need any advice.

Sand would be fine for the tank. A lot of people use Argos playsand as it is cheap and has no harmful chemicals in it.

Clean it with warm water and bleach. Rinse very, very well and fill with dehlorinated water. Use a very large dose. Wait for a few days (I would run the filter without media to clean that and circulate the water) and then empty and leave to dry in the air. Re-rinse before filling for real and double dose the water conditioner.

 

[PDSimon]

You'll have to double check with that rust, even though glass can't rust, it seems odd that there is something on the side there. If the glass is damaged, you wouldn't want it fracture. So check its something on the glass that can be removed rather than indented into it.

There is a chemical you can dilute to use in your tank, I just can't remember what hopefully someone will post it. I'm a bit unsure but there is an easy way to sterilse everything and reuse it. edit: what assaye said (oh and the wood can be boiled to remove any dirt, not so sure about the plants though - you might want some living ones anyway?)

Argos play sand is cheap and easy enough to use. A bag is a few quid, you wash it out in a bucket to get rid of all the dust/dirt and put it in the tank.

Depending on what filter you get, means you might not even need a pump. As long as there is surface agitation thats all you need to get o2 into the water

Fishless cycling is a good way to go. Even if you find establised media its good to do a fishless cycle. I put some mature media in my tank and am currently fishless cycling it too.

Not to sure the size of your tank? maybe a 125 Litre. You can get a general idea if you go on aqadvisor, then just make a post on 'tropical discussion' on your stocking ideas. Theres so many fish to choose from, have a look around and see what you like.

 

[JoshuaA]

That "rust" looks like where your Uncle had left his aglae cleaning magnet. I imagine its only on the inside? I would suggest using a metal scraper, perhaps a pencil sharpener blade to remove the rust.

Edit: Also don't fill your tank with water if its going to be sitting on that stool! Just making sure lol, if you filled it up there its likely to fracture under its own weight.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

thanks for the reply and advice. I'm glad I don't need a new tank as this one is the perfect size. How would I clean it out? just water or is there some chemical I should be using? Are the plants and wood okay to reuse? I think I would prefer sand in the tank would sand be appropriate in this tank?

I currently don't have a filter and the pumps ancient so I'll find out the exact size of the tank tomorrow and post it for some recommendations on equipment. I think I'm going to fishless cycle with pure ammonia unless I can find some established media.

as for fish I would like some shoaling fish and a few larger fish, how many would be appropriate in a tank of this size?

Hi,

Use the calculator at the top of this window to work out how may litres etc your tank hold's.

I agree it looks like where your cleaning magnet was (rust?) You can use white Vinagar to clean the glass and soak any lime scale with it as it will make it easier to clean! Use Green pad/ flat scrapper blade to get stubborn marks off if any? Silk plants can look good too! Live plants do need looking after, Not for me at the moment... (personal preference again)

You can buy an internal filter of ebay cheap enough! but takes up tank space (less fish)

Clint.

 

[Paradise3]

The tank dimensions look like 36"x12"x18" (LxDxH)(side to side x front to back x top to bottom)
Sorry about the explaining just making sure i got them the right way round.

Alessa x.

 

[OldMan47]

It actually doesn't matter what order you put the tank dimensions. The volume won't change by just tilting a tank on its side, the water would run out though.

The only issue I can see with that tank is the bottom edge. Most of the tanks that I have ever seen have a border trim around the bottom. It is not just for appearance, it holds the bottom glass off the tank stand surface so that any slight irregularities in the stand won't break the bottom glass. If you don't have the bottom trim to raise the glass, you will need to run with a cushion under that bottom glass. People use a thin layer of styrofoam under the tank bottoms to act as that cushion.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

It actually doesn't matter what order you put the tank dimensions. The volume won't change by just tilting a tank on its side, the water would run out though.

The only issue I can see with that tank is the bottom edge. Most of the tanks that I have ever seen have a border trim around the bottom. It is not just for appearance, it holds the bottom glass off the tank stand surface so that any slight irregularities in the stand won't break the bottom glass. If you don't have the bottom trim to raise the glass, you will need to run with a cushion under that bottom glass. People use a thin layer of styrofoam under the tank bottoms to act as that cushion.

I never knew that!

Very good point. Well spotted oldman47!

You can never stop learning.

Clint.

 

[CheeseWeasel]

Thanks for the advice guys, you've all been really helpful Yeah I'm sure it did have some kind of bottom at some point but I have no idea where it went. I actually think it may have broken. I'm planning on getting (or making) a stand and I will be adding a layer of polystyrene underneath the tank anyway. I've not managed to get the dimensions yet, weather's been far too nice.

How hard are some of the live plants to keep? Are there any that are just plant and forget? I'm definitely not keeping the ones I already have. Anyone have a price guide on how much a filter and heater would be for this size of tank?

Many thanks again guys!

 

[OldMan47]

A typical heater in the US will run $20 regardless of wattage if you buy it on line. If you get it at the LFS, it will set you back about $30. Filters are an entirely different matter. For a small tank, you can get one of the compact hang on back filters or a small internal for around $20 or slightly more while a nice small canister can easily cost around $100 at a place like e-bay.

 

[PDSimon]

Plants like vallisneria spiralis will grow quickly with minimal effort, low lighting, no co2 etc. Theres a list of these sort of plants on the planted tank section of this forum.

 

[CheeseWeasel]

Still not sure on the live vs artificial plants yet, I love the look of the real plants but I'm not so sure on the upkeep but I'll consider it carefully. I've got a while to wait anyway as I'm planning on making a stand myself

I've measured the dimensions and according to the calculator is roughly 86 litres or 23 us gallons. Can you guys recommend a filter, heater and pump (if I need one) that will be suitable and I'm able to buy in the UK? Any recommendation on how many/what kind of fish I could keep in a tank this size? I've also had a closer inspection of the rust and it comes off easily so the tank should clean up nicely!