My New Tank

[krittermom]

So, I've just taken the leap into the world of fish keeping, for the first time in about 10 years. This is by far the biggest tank I've ever owned, only had 10 gals in the past.

I'm currently in the early stages of cycling, so it's fishless, but I finally got it mostly set up, for the moment. I'm picky, and can't find alot that I like. I got the glow in the dark plants because my son requested them and I said it was ok for now, but eventually they will come out. I really want to an Egyptian theme, but having a hard time finding things.

Anyway, here it is for now:

I need to move the heater to a better place so it doesn't look so garish. I also wish I could hide the intake of the filter, but, I know it's a needed thing. I'm not a huge live plant person, but I did get some Java fern, and will be getting some either java moss or money/hornwort, as I plan on having guppies and want to provide some hiding space for the fry.

 

[Curiosity101]

You say you want to do an egyptian theme... first thing that springs to mind in my head is sand.

http/www.fishandfins.co.uk/aquarium-egypt-ruins.htm
7 piece egyption decoration kit

There's also a pharohs head, sphynx etc etc.

I also searched 'egyptian' under pets --> fish --> decorations on ebay. Lots of hits there.

So yeah... I really would replace that blue gravel with sand (a bit of a faff to do but you are fishless cycling so you do have plenty of time... and it can be done with the water remaining in the tank if the sand is properly washed. But eitherways it'd only take around 3-4 hours I'd have thought, unplug all equipment, drain tank, empty gravel, wash sand, fill with sand, refill tank carefully.

I'd also swap out the background as that's an american desert landscape, not an egyptian one. I'd favour a plain blue background, any shade of blue would look nice I'd have thought.

Just some food for thought

You also may want to consider placing the intake of the filter at the exact opposite end of the tank to the outlet for maximum circulation. And there are filter inlets/outlets called 'lily pipes', I think they come in glass or plastic and are clear. A nice upgrade if the tank is likely to be a long term fixture, no more ugly green/black inlets and outlets (my eheim external pipes were bright green lol). As for the heater, I'm sure you could strategically place it behind some plants or decor in the future if you wanted it out of site.

Oo and one last things, bubbles aren't needed for aeration. If you like them aesthetically then fair enough, but just incase you didn't know I thought I'd throw it out there. (I personally haven't found a single 'silent' airpump so far that hasn't driven me mad).

Edit: oops, where are my manners! Welcome to the forum

 

[krittermom]

See,I've been told bubbles ARE needed. But, I am getting rid of the stone, I don't like it, we're going to just keep the treasure chest for now. We tried a plain blue background and didn't like it, we like brighter stuff. And personally ,I hate the look of sand lol, so, maybe Egyptian isnt't the way to go. Although I love the vase i have, it acutally came with the tank and I love it, as my hubsand has two horace tats, and horace is on the vase. I'm so confused as to what I want, can ya tell? I though of maybe an atlantis theme too, but then the vase wouldn't match as well. That background is double sided and the other side is Atlantis themed. So there's that too, and the blue/white gravel would match.
And the go blue sign has to stay, we're big u of m fans

Ok, I flipped the background and took out the air stone"

 

[RustedKnight]

That looks pretty good!

And the broken pottery can stay, as i'm sure the atlantians would have kept pots before everything went for a swim.

 

[elisew]

The background change is a definite improvement

Have to agree with Curiosity about the sand, or at the very least I personally think it would look much better with one colour of gravel if that`s what you`d rather have, but at the end of the day it`s up to you...... but you did ask for opinions

Do you have any thoughts on what fish you`ll be having? Well done on the fishless cycling

 

[krittermom]

Going with Guppies, Mollies, Platies and some glofish.

For now, I do like the two tone gravel. I know very litte about sand in aquariums, does it come in colors? If so, then I would like some blue sand. I just don't like brown in general, and white by itself is too boring to me. I'm not big on the natural look actually lol, I like brighter colors

I've seen tons of atlantis type decor, just a matter of getting it now that I've decided that's the way I'm going. Thanks for all the opionons and idea's, keep them coming!

 

[UNV_Rasta]

Gonna have a hard time appreciating the colors of the fish krittermom. The background looks nice, but the blue gravel is too much for me. But as long as u like it, its all good!