Living The Dream 15 Years On

[Rhiny]

Hi all,

I kept fish for 10 years whilst living at my parents as a child / teenager. 15 years on I have been looking to purchase a new set up. I have had a look on line and in local stores. Not really sure how big to go and with what manufacturer. Any advice will be appreciated. 36 yrs old and from Ipswich, UK.

 

[AshleyT]

Depends how much space you have and how much money you are wanting to spend

 

[Rhiny]

Depends how much space you have and how much money you are wanting to spend

I have no problems on space and have around £300 budget for the tank and cabinet. Do I build one myself out of individual components or buy one set up from my local aquatic centre?

 

[AshleyT]

Well you would be able to get a nice big one of gumtree or eBay for that price and if your confident in building one yourself and have strong enough wood or mental go for it

 

[ZoddyZod]

welcome to the forum!

You can get very good deals on second hand tanks - have a sniff around the usual sites.

Deals on new complete set-ups can be found, but anything from a store is usually expensive compared to online prices.

 

[nanoMama86]

Build your own stand, buy a brand new tank. my best advice. I have bought used tanks, and new, and prefer new if I can afford it, or it is not an emergency situation.


Oooo goody! Another fishkeeper!

 

[Rhiny]

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to getting a new set up so will have a sniff round the second hand sites and see what's about.

Bit different nowadays setting up a tank to when I last had one. Fish less cycling etc is all new to me. Glad I have fund this set as it's so informative and friendly.

 

[Rhiny]

Well , I was on a well known auction site and I came across a Fluval Duo Deep 800 ( 126 litre ) tank with accessories which include a Fluval205 external filter and cabinet for £100. I have paid up and will collect tomorrow. Pretty pleased with this. The hood doesn't come with lamps so if there is any advice on what type of lamp to fit I would appreciate it. Won't be setting up until the end of the coming week as I'm away on business for a couple of nights.

 

[Rhiny]

I have picked my tank and accessories up. Built the cabinet and put the empty tank on. Had a look at setting up the Fluval 205 external filter. I have ordered the filter pads etc for this. I was thinking of using play sand for my tank. Question is how deep do I put it in my tank? I'm looking to buy the master test kit also ready for my fish less cycling.

 

[Salam]

Hello and welcome! I have also recently changed to playsand and it is fab, never looked back. Just make sure you wash it properly, I just put it in a big box in the garden and let the hose run through it for about two hours and the water was clear by the end. There is a link somewhere here, but basically if you want live plants you need a minimum of 1 inch, but a maximum of 2 inch due to the death pockets that can develop.

 

[Rhiny]

Death pockets. That doesn't sound good. I will go for about an inch and a half. I do want live plants and possibly down the C02 route.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

It depends like Salam has said on whether you will have plants, also if you are going to *aquascape* it a little bit, you might want to build up some areas and leave others shallower, rather than all flat.

I have bits ranging from 1" (no plants in this bit) up to 4" in other areas. I have MTS (snails) which turn over the sand also plant roots. I wouldn't worry too much about 'death pockets' - (anaerobic pockets) You can prod your sand now and again

 

[Tizer]

death pockets is a load of tosh anyway, my sand was at 5 inches deep or more and although it does turn a dark colour under the surface its nothing to worry about.

Look into Tescos cat litter http/www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=265235247

Once cleaned in a bucket until the water runs clear, its a pretty cheap and decent substrate. I recently changed over to it instead of play sand.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing

 

[Rhiny]

It depends like Salam has said on whether you will have plants, also if you are going to *aquascape* it a little bit, you might want to build up some areas and leave others shallower, rather than all flat.

I have bits ranging from 1" (no plants in this bit) up to 4" in other areas. I have MTS (snails) which turn over the sand also plant roots. I wouldn't worry too much about 'death pockets' - (anaerobic pockets) You can prod your sand now and again

I had a bag of play sand in my garage that I had purchased for my tortoise. I have washed it down and added it to my tank. It's roughly 1 1/2" deep across my tank. I'm waiting for my filter pads to arrive in post and will buy a new heater tomorrow. Then time to fill her up and get confused with the fish less cycling and testing.

Still not got a clue on what fish I want. I do want a community type tank as I think my 9 month old daughter will like watching plenty of fish.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Sounds good, good luck

Luckily with a 126 litre you can have a decent community rather than getting a 60ltr and wanting to upgrade within 3months