My New Setup

[Purenord]

New setup
Hello,

I recently got a 120L tank second hand after looking into it for a while. This is my first tank but I grew up with them in the house so I've got the basics.

Its gonna be freshwater tropical, and im going with the thinking that less species but a few groups makes a better tank. So eventually i want corys a couple of types of tetra some galaxy rasbora and some shrimp. Maybe a couple of kuhli loaches but i think that may be for a future tank. Does this sound reasonable? I think they are mostly hardy, shoaling fish that will get along. I've used a mixture of pea gravel and a bag of amano Nile sand to try to make it look like a riverbed with the contrast between the two. I found very little on the next about people mixing substrates so i thought about not doing it but then, while im in no rush to get fish in that i would have a go. Had a nightmare first attempt with some play sand, only occurred to me as I was pouring the water in that, of course, all the sand will simply seep to the bottom leaving me with a mess. So I shelled out for the move expensive (a lot!) Nile sand and I'm made up with the results, should be nice for the corys to play around in.

I've got some nice big pieces if bogwood, and a lot of rubbish little ones that won't get anywhere near the tank. Just put in some basic plants today to pad it out, found a nice one at the lfs which normally is rubbish for plants. I've got lots of plants coming mail order too because I've read you can't have too many plants, and, because I really want this to look amazing id like the choice if being able to pick and choose the healthiest ones. So it's half filled up and in thinking I didnt soak my bogwood long enough as the water, while clear, is an odd weak tea colour. This isn't a bad thing is it? When I put new carbon in the filter (more on that in a mo) that should reduce that right? It's not the end of the world either way. Id quite like it if it wasn't quite so dark.

The filter, along with most of the other hardware came with the tank. It's an aqua pro2 and reading the box is powerful enough set up to deal with the tank. It currently has two charcoal trays and one tray of the round ceramic bits which came with it. I have ordered new charcoal and a tray of some Glafoam. Im not sure what this is but I assume there should be a tray in there instead of two charcoal, is this right? The guy I got it off said to leave the little cylindrical things as they would still be okay. Is this right?

I've got the filter taking in water through a sponge filter on a 1cm pipe then coming out through a 60cm spray bar as well as an airstone. Is this enough current in the tank? How high up the tank should I place it?

Im gonna try fishless cycling as reading about it made me realise how cruel fish in cycling is. While at my lfs I got some gravel from one of his tanks and put that in. I haven't added any ammonia to the tank as I want to get it spot on, all planted and filter sorted before I start with the nitrogen cycle and all that. Will this gravel have an effect even though iv not started to cycle mine properly? Will changing the charcoal in the filter effect this bacteria?

Wow, I'm sorry that's long. But I have no advice on this where I am really as I think my lfs just want to sell me stuff sometimes, well most of the time. Thanks for reading and any input would be amazing.

Chris

 

[Hardlife91]

Right,
the gravel you have put in will contain some good bacteria for the tank (as long as the tank you have got it from is healthy).
Replacing the carbon in the filter wont do to much, it is used to keep the water clearer for longer and generally make the tank look nicer, however i would replace it after stocking. There will be a sponge with the filter, this shouldn't be replaced, however giving it a clean every few water changes (in the water taken out of the tank) will help to clear it and stop blockages.
The fish ideas you have sound very reasonable. However whilst cycling, look at other members tanks and if you see fish you like the looks of, do some research and if you think they are suitable, add them (if unsure create a post about it).
Soaking the wood is essential, also a good idea to do with it is just to rinse it after soaking it until the water runs clear. this should help matters.
Remember that plants do grow and spread out over time so the more you initially plant the more work you have to do in the long run. The plants will help to aid the cycle.
With fish less cycling, get some test kits and test every day to keep an eye on peeks. Then at the end of the cycle add stock slowly starting off with some hardy fish such as Rasbora or platies (aren't on the list but 2-3 of these would look good in my opinion). See how they behave and if all goes well keep building stock slowly and testing.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Hardlife91]

However, any advise given by myself should be disregarded if a member with more practical experience disagrees with me. I have a lot of theory just not practical.

 

[Purenord]

Nice one mate. That's all good about the filter then. So this colouration of the water that's happened because I didn't soak my bogwood long enough, do you reckon it will fade with new charcoal? Will the water change at the end of the cycle clear it up? Thanks for your help mate.

Chris

 

[SchottayB]

Right,
the gravel you have put in will contain some good bacteria for the tank (as long as the tank you have got it from is healthy).
Replacing the carbon in the filter wont do to much, it is used to keep the water clearer for longer and generally make the tank look nicer, however i would replace it after stocking. There will be a sponge with the filter, this shouldn't be replaced, however giving it a clean every few water changes (in the water taken out of the tank) will help to clear it and stop blockages.
The fish ideas you have sound very reasonable. However whilst cycling, look at other members tanks and if you see fish you like the looks of, do some research and if you think they are suitable, add them (if unsure create a post about it).
Soaking the wood is essential, also a good idea to do with it is just to rinse it after soaking it until the water runs clear. this should help matters.
Remember that plants do grow and spread out over time so the more you initially plant the more work you have to do in the long run. The plants will help to aid the cycle.
With fish less cycling, get some test kits and test every day to keep an eye on peeks. Then at the end of the cycle add stock slowly starting off with some hardy fish such as Rasbora or platies (aren't on the list but 2-3 of these would look good in my opinion). See how they behave and if all goes well keep building stock slowly and testing.
Thanks,
Matt

You have given some good advice there imo mate

Nice one mate. That's all good about the filter then. So this colouration of the water that's happened because I didn't soak my bogwood long enough, do you reckon it will fade with new charcoal? Will the water change at the end of the cycle clear it up? Thanks for your help mate.

Chris

Bogwood will always release tannis in the water (tea colour). Soaking it for weeks / months does help. It will go over time with regular water changes. How ever fish do like it

 

[Purenord]

Sound I thought I'd read they liked it. And I can live with it, the bogwood is definitely worth it. Thanks for your help.