Laboratory Tank

[nurglespuss]

Hi all!

First off an introduction; I'm researching up at Aberystwyth, and as I'm living away from home/fiance/my fish! My co-workers and supervisor ahve agreed to setting up a fish tank where i work.

Thankfully a very kind member of staff donated an ol 2ft tank with lighted hood, I just have to supply decor, heating and filtration (they're going to do a collection for the fish, and see what we can afford ).

I've got a few tanks back at home, and am mainly a catfish enthusiast. So my fish will be either a bristlenose, small plec. species, or perhaps one of the talking catfish - equally I may 'experiment' with some Khuli loaches, or some corydorse (pigmies if I can get them!).

The tank will be planted and filtered externally, it will also have a sand/pea gravel substrate, bogwood etc.

heres a quick pic during setup:

Anyway, I'll keep you guys updated! it will be very interesting constructing a community tank with so many inputs!

Cheers! (P.S. if anyone would want to donate any hardy plants (e.g. anubis, java fern/moss etc, or even better some malysian trumpet snails, or nerites that would be amazing!!)

 

[nessar]

im in aber too, at uni, and I have a male blue coral mickey mouse platy you can have if youre interested in getting something for the middle/top layer?

I may also have some baby apple snails in a few weeks, got a few clutches that I hope will hatch. The mum is ivory, the father either purple or blue/jade (or both). PM me if interested All free of course.

Oh and youve probably already been and seen them, but they have corydoras in Pets at Home down the hill. They have bi-weekly deliveries of fish on thursdays. Aber pet shop just over the river also do fish.

 

[nurglespuss]

Hi there !

Aw sweet! ncie one I popped in petsathome this morning, after a small bag of sand (no joy ) so waiting for delivery monday hopefully!

Very kind offer! thanks! I will definately take some baby apples of your hands! congrats on breeding them!

I shall PM you shortly

 

[nurglespuss]

Just a quick update, tanks is filled, there is a slight lean forwards, but this doesn't appear to be a problem so far. Went out and bought a brand new filter, as my old external I had knocking around just did not want to start up (sigh, ah well)... Will still keep an eye out and exchange for an external if one pops up!

Will be plant shopping too soon hopefully then just need a timer switch for the light

 

[discus_lover]

what is this filter?

 

[Jenste]

It is an Elite Stingray. I have one too for one of my tanks - I love it. So quite, can have the flow redirected towards the wall if you have fish who don't like a current....

compact and very handy...does a great job of keeping the tank looking great too!

 

[nurglespuss]

Yep, one of my favourite internal filter models, and at 300L/hour turn over Its powerful too! (for its size).

Would still prefer an external (ease of maintenance) but will wait

 

[nessar]

Timers in pets at home are really expensive

I cheated and bought a couple of those timer plugs that you can use for anything, 2 for a fiver Alright they will only do time in half hour increments, but now the fish have a regular schedule as opposed to my crazily irregular student one.

 

[nurglespuss]

Yep! Thats what I use at home!

Usually get them from wilkinsons or similar, not wurer where to get them round here...? any ideas?

 

[nessar]

currys do them. argos might. or cheap charlies might.

 

[nurglespuss]

AH!Q Good call, i didnt know there was a Curries in town! and cheap charlies, yes I must visit there too thanks!!

 

[Theplayboy]

Also B&Q do some good timer for like £1/£2 and the are quite compact too so you can fit other plugs around them.

 

[nurglespuss]

Update:

Malasian Trumpet snails courtesy of matlee

 

[nurglespuss]

Update:

Planted tank with background etc

My fish for the tank (Pearl Gourami - Male I think)

2 Mega fast guppies.

After a day or two settling in, all the fish are happy and feeding well. We hope to add some more in a week or two (unfortunately - other than getting on as a community - numbers will be up to my fellow co-workers!)

 

[Sanj]

wow those filters are ugly...thought the world was moving towards less conspicious internals.