My First Tank

[onebto]

Well here we go I have seen some people keeping a diary of setting up a new Tank so here is mine.

my tank details in my signature.

1. Built the cabinet placed it on top off 1" marine ply to help spread the load a bit and even it up (live in a flat checked the joist fortunately there big huge things I am no structural engineer but I am an engineer I reckon if I had the room I could put 3 or 4 of these things in here no worries)

2. Put the tank on top after giving it a clean with a cloth and water no chemicals !

3. Fitted all the pump and nozzles together and put them in place decided to go with the adjustable air defuser on the pump (see how it goes) <a href="http/www.aquacare.co.uk/shop/contents/en...md=39675.670833" target="_blank">http/www.aquacare.co.uk/shop/contents/en...md=39675.670833</a> also put the filters and heater in place.

4. got some funky 3d back grounds : <a href="http/www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/bigpicture...ehoer/86915.jpg" target="_blank">http/www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/bigpicture...ehoer/86915.jpg</a> so I secured them with silicon from Juwel.

5. cleaned the gravel I decided to go with a green and blue mix.

First Question How deep should it be ? I had a look around on the forums and found nothing I may of missed it . I want to go with live plants not ornamental.

6. Run an air line in for an air stone under the gravel sealing the end so no gravel could get in it (till I fit the stone, on its way !) washed the hose line with fresh water, the pump is going to be situated below the water line in the cabinet so I have fitted it with a check valve to stop any creep back of water

Annoying thing is I now have to go away for 2 days on emergency cover at work so cannot do any more till I get back and dam I want to get on with it

If you can see anything I may have got wrong I would appreciate your comments

 

[waterdrop]

Lookin' good.

Your gravel depth is fine, not a big deal, so you have some latitude with that. I'd insepct that back corner carefully to be sure both that you haven't created any crevices that small fish could get stuck in (they're pretty surprising at doing this) and also, way on down the line after you've finished fishless cycling and have fish I'd watch carefully both to see if any cories or other bottom dwellers can make themselves unseen at that bottom corner and also again whether any small tetras or whatever show any signs of getting themselves in trouble around the filter.

Keep an eye on the blue gravel, apparently there are reports of the blue paint they use flaking off and being toxic. Hopefully that's some old story or doesn't apply to yours.

Otherwise, certainly seems you're ready for a good start.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[onebto]

Thanks waterdrop yeah I was wondering about that gap at the bottom and you have made up my mind for me . I still have the cut off's for the back panels and enough to put a peace in there.

Blue substrate you got me worried oh well we will have to see I did give it one heck of a cleaning before it went in and it did not show up any die must say I was amazed at the amount of really small particles in the bag that went through the sieve I used (ill be buying a new one for the Kitchen I think ) fingers crossed on that matter it was Roman substrate I used I will have a look about to see if I can find anything more on that .

Again thanks for the response

 

[SharonCC]

Looks GREAT!!!

 

[prmdc098]

Looks amazing

Its like my prefect tank

Looking forward to seeing it filled up

 

[Ally555]

I am no expert, but I had green and blue pebbles in my old tank and they chiped and put flakes into the water.
Even if this wasn't bad for the fish it looked terrible!!!
But I like the background and the tank. It looks great.

 

[limerickbandit]

I want to go with live plants not ornamental.

First thing i would do is add a good substrate

 

[onebto]

 

[onebto]

okay now you got me worried please be honest should I get rid of the Blue green gravel I am even starting to hate it and I cant even see the tank at the moment

I would rather get rid of it now than when there is water in there !

Fortunately I cannot do anything either way at the moment due to being away on placing for a couple of days so I have some time to consider the matter. Thinking about it and looking at the pictures of some of the members tanks here on the forum I am starting to like the sand option more or a lighter coloured gravel so may be when I get back I will remove the blue green gravel mix and dump it, it was only £20.

Any recommendations ?

 

[toshapetriji]

Sand everytime. Argos do playsand for next to nothing and looks more natural than blue gravel.

Good luck with your tank

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, a hard decision to dump something before you've even used it but in the long run the cost of gravel is next to nothing compared to the other expenses of the hobby and you're right that its one heck of a lot easier to make the change now! You could save it in the shed in case a neighbor gets a goldfish tank or something I guess.

A lot of members here switch to sand and use playsand as mentioned above. It takes a bit longer to get the dust out and a bit more learning to get the cleaning/maintenance process right but a lot of people do it successfully and you can see from peoples pictures that the results are worth it. Not trying to make up your mind for you as its your own decision and could go either way of course.

Making your decisions here though discussion is great by the way! Think of how many beginners come here only after they've locked themselves into decisions they regret! It slows you down in the short term but makes for better enjoyment in the long run.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[onebto]

Sand it is then

Just to verify the comment play sand from Argos this the stuff you are talking about ? :

http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/part...3EPLAY+SAND.htm

 

[chefrossco]

very nice first tank- im jealous

 

[limerickbandit]

The playsand from Argos would be fine but wash it well before you use it
I would also advise you to get a good plant substrate for under the sand if you want real plants

 

[onebto]

I am told there are no dumb questions but I will push the barriers here with this question

Sand I take it you do not have to clean it like gravel you just put it in ?