My New Tank... Need Advice And Help

[mike_nofx]

Hi, i just put a deposit on a new tank today, its a 215 Litre Aqua One.
My New Tank
Its the 980 on that page.

Can anyone tell me if the filter in this model is any good? Its the trickle type filter, which has water filtering over foam/sponge type filters and ceramic noodles... little round pieces of ceramic.

I currently have 2 Black Ghost Knife's, 2 Neon Tertras and 1 Bristlenose cat. Which are in a 28L tank.
The new 215L tank should be big enough, shouldnt it? I do plan to get more fish.

Another tank i was thinking about was, its the 120 model on the page:
Other tank i was thinking about
It is 285L, but doesnt look as good. I have only paid a deposit on the other one so i can always change my mind and get the 285L model.

Both have the same filter types. The one i like better (215L) has a curved front glass, which the bigger one just has straight glass, it also has a flap you open to feed the fish, the bigger one you have to open a big panel with all the lights attatched into it.


Also, what gravel would be best for the fish i have and tank?

I want some wood in the tank, would people reccomen putting wood in the tank?


Thanks
Mike

 

[Shelly_Otterkin]

For the larger tank it all looks good. I really like black sand or gravel but its what look you want to go for.
I would keep the neons in the little tank and add at least 6 more to make a good size school.

 

[mike_nofx]

Black sand or gravel. That sounds alright.
Is that what you have? if you do, what colour is your background?

I was thinking of painting the back of the tank black, but i suppose it would look too black.

 

[Shelly_Otterkin]

I have been to lazy to to my back ground yet on my big tank, but it will be black.
Yes I have black sand and just to tell you the dark tank makes the colors of your fish pop! Even the darker ones get this "glow" to them. A lot of fish feel safe in a dark place. It makes them feel like they are hiding, so you see them moving about more.

BTW bog wood looks great in your tank, a lot of fish like it. You kust have a slight discoloration to your water that I really like. As long as you do your water changes it will not get to dark.

 

[moeldner]

Mike,

I have the 215L 980 from aquaone myself, and have added a fluval 4 plus for better filtration - The one in the hood would be fine for light fish loads, but I didn't think it would be enough for my stocking levels.

I will try and remember to post up to date pics tonight.

Details are in my sig.

(P.S. where in Australiaa are you?)

 

[mike_nofx]

Hi, im from wollongong, NSW.

Could you tell me briefly how the hood filter works??

It looks like the foam pads arent under water, the water just sprinkles through, is this right?

Sounds hard to cycle if the pads arent always under water.... or am i completely wrong? hahah

 

[moeldner]

Im ex-wollongong (figtree) now in Canberra.

Basically the white foam (fine filter) goes in the bottom of the filter boxes, with the ceramic noodles on top of that, and then the course (black) filter pads. If you want to use the carbon bags, I put them in the small filter box in the hood instead of the ceramic noodles.

Once it is set up, the water flow should keep the fine filter and the noodles under water.

You can tell when it needs cleaning as the water level starts to come over the top of the coarse filter pads (this means the white foam needs cleaning).

 

[moeldner]

My tank is here on this thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132873