Just Checking !

[blacklaughter]

Just about to hit the 'confirm order' button, but thought I'd make sure I've got everything I need first ?

I have in my basket....

1 x Jewel Rekord 96 tank
1 x 26" Gravel Vac
1 x 8" Net
1 x Interpet Master test kit
1 x Bioactive Tapsafe 250ml

I'm gonna have live plants, so will pop to the garden centre for pond soil. Then use coral sand on top if thats ok ?? Not sure where I'm gonna get my plants though, does anyone know of anywhere that does mail order, and could someone recommend some hardy but attractive beginner plants, that will give good variety ??

I have some lovely peices of bog wood and granite already, so I don't need to buy any extra.
I'll go to boots for pure ammonia, as I'm going for a fishless cycle !!

Other than this can anyone think of anything else I need ?? Or have got wrong ??

Desperate to put my order in now, cant wait to get started !!

Thanks

BL

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I would just use sand as your substrate not coral sand... i think it might throw your ph out of whack, just get play sand from your local garden centre and give it a right good wash first.

does the jewel tank come with heater, lights and filter? think so but just check!

 

[blacklaughter]

Hi, thanks for that.... play sand it is.

Yes the Jewel comes with light, filter and heater

 

[Miss Wiggle]

well that should do you to start off cycling. Dependign if you have spare cash I'd recommend getting a few meds in as well, you never know what's gonna go wrong and it's better to have the meds you need there as you need them rather than having to find the cash, get to lfs, generally rush around when you spot something go wrong. So I'd get some pimafix, melafix, king british ws3 and a good bacterial med. That should set you up as a good started medicine kit

 

[madmom]

A thermometer ?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

A thermometer ?

good call! forgot that one.

 

[blacklaughter]

Thermometer !! *slaps forehead with palm of hand* how did I miss that one

OK, so I'll get some meds in too, just to be on the safe side !!

 

[madmom]

For measuring may I suggest some plastic kitchen measuring spoons and one of those baby medicine things that look like big needles those measure liquids in ml and teaspoons. and a computer multiple socket surge protector if you dont have enough electric sockets? Not necessary but sure comes in handy.

 

[cs091]

You also need a test kit!


You will soon desperately need:

'sponge on a stick' cleaner/scraper
magnetic cleaner
long handled plant mantainance kit
CO2 generator
plant fertiliser
air pump and stone or air curtain
brine shrimp raising kit
lots of books
second filter
more lights
bigger tank
another, bigger tank
.
.
.
We're talking 'can't exist without' items here!

 

[blacklaughter]

Ok, so I now have in my basket :

Tank
Master testing kit
Net
Gravel Vac
Thermometer
Tapsafe
Magnet cleaner
Hydor ario internal airpump blue...... I don't believe I need a stone or curtain with this, but please correct me if I'm wrong

Couldn't see any of the suggested meds, a plant maintenance kit, co2 generatot or plant fertiliser on the site I'm ordering from, so if anyone knows where I could get these ??

(I have a baby measuring syringe, and kitchen measuring spoons)

Hows it looking desperate to order now, but don't wanna miss anything important !!!!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you don't actually 'need' co2, ferts or any maintenance stuff for plants unless your planning on going uber planted. we've 6 tanks in various stages of planting and don't use any of that.

yes an algae scraper and air pump is a good idea, personally i hate those magnetic cleaners, if you've a scraper that'll do you, personal choice though.

any of the meds you should be able to get from your lfs... don't really know about ordering online, just try sticking them into google though, sure you can get them somewhere!

 

[cichlidcrazy]

Hi i wouldnt reccomend play sand i have used it myself ,in my experiance the only plus with this sand is that it is cheaper . It takes an absolute age to get clean its not as nice a colour as regular sand and if this is your first tank it takes a while to get used to cleaning it with the gravel vac as it is very fine .I would go for small stoned gravel or if you dont like the look of gravel go for regular sand .
Just my oppinion HTH.

 

[cs091]

I don't believe I need a stone or curtain with this, but please correct me if I'm wrong

Couldn't see any of the suggested meds, a plant maintenance kit, co2 generatot or plant fertiliser on the site I'm ordering from, so if anyone knows where I could get these ??

Sorry I was joking. (Apart from test kit.)

It's just that whenever I go into any fish store on-line or otherwise I see stacks of stuff that I've just GOT to have!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hi i wouldnt reccomend play sand i have used it myself ,in my experiance the only plus with this sand is that it is cheaper . It takes an absolute age to get clean its not as nice a colour as regular sand and if this is your first tank it takes a while to get used to cleaning it with the gravel vac as it is very fine .I would go for small stoned gravel or if you dont like the look of gravel go for regular sand .
Just my oppinion HTH.

if you get sand you have to use play sand, things like builders sand contains all sorts of other contaminants that are awful for your fishes, also many fish like to sift the sand through they're gills so it needs to be fine enough, most other snads won't be and could do damage to your fish. Don't really know what you mean by 'regular sand' there's so many different sorts, not just a standard one. Play sand is the purest you can get andsafest for your fish. Yes it's a ball ache to wash, but you only have to do it once, worth the effort i think as plants and fish love it. I think it's much easier to clean your tank with sand, the poo just sits on top ofit so you can see when it needs cleaning rather than gravle where it all sinks in and you've no idea if it's filthy or clean.

Sorry to rant a bit, I've just been converted to sand, changed one of my tanks over that I've always struggled with plants in, within a week of changing to sand the root systems have doubled and plants that previously struggled were thriving. They're roots just get trappe and squished in the gravel. Only got 1 tank left with gravel in and that's getting changed soon too now.

I don't believe I need a stone or curtain with this, but please correct me if I'm wrong

Couldn't see any of the suggested meds, a plant maintenance kit, co2 generatot or plant fertiliser on the site I'm ordering from, so if anyone knows where I could get these ??

Sorry I was joking. (Apart from test kit.)

It's just that whenever I go into any fish store on-line or otherwise I see stacks of stuff that I've just GOT to have!

ha ha know the feeling!

 

[cichlidcrazy]

Hi
Miss Wiggle im sorry if i diddnt make myself clear by saying regular sand i didnt mean builders sand . I ment the sand you can pick up in your lfs or on line . I dont agree with you when you say if you get sand you HAVE to use play sand .
There is a vast amount of differant sands out there that you can use all differant grades from fine to corse all differant colours even .
Im just not a fan of play sand i think there are much better alternatives out there.