My Very First Tank

[turnnidge]

This is my very first set-up, tell me what you think. Please give your ideas and thoughts.

Oh BTW no fish yet, nitrate is too high lol

 

[paul_219]

Thats a nice tank. But it looks cloudy.

 

[turnnidge]

Yeah it is a bit cloudy as I've only put the large piece of wood yesterday, I just hope it wont get any worse!

 

[Luketendo]

Nice one, you have done a very good job and I can tell you're not taking any half measures.

I suppose they are real plants, they look very real, I think they are all aquatic, maybe you could visit the plant forum since plants can actually be as important as the fish. Keeping plants is actually quite taxing sometimes and I find it a lot harder than keeping fish! You have great potential.

How much Nitrate is in the water?
Did you know Nitrate is only toxic in very high levels, like 100ppm+ or more, Ammonia and Nitrite are your real problem, also Nitrate does occur in tap water?
Do you know cycling is, are you doing it?

 

[turnnidge]

Thanks, I just couldnt put any plastic crap in there, even with the ornaments! lol I just love the real look you really cannot beat it! yeah its a lil bit more hard work but worth it ever so much!

Yes they are all aquatic and suitable for a tropical tank, I checked with two different people at P@H and they said they will be great.

Well I currently have another thread 'Nitrates and Nitrites' and have got my head around the aspect of the cycle, the only thing I wasn't too sure on was whether if the chap said my nitrate or nitrite was a little high, but I only changed 50% of the water about 2 hours before it was tested!

 

[Luketendo]

Ok there is something you need to learn. Even though fish shops may seem very helpful they are there to make money. Some fish shops have staff that don't know anything or just want to make money. This seems to be quite common with P@H but they seem to be getting better. Looks like you probably have a good shop since those plants look fine, remember to consult us and research on the net before making fish choices because you never know if they are suitable.

In a lot of shops newbies are preyed upon because they do not have the knowledge to know about fish sizes, and even the names of their fish. This ends up with the fish being cramped or put in with another who will kill it.

I agree, the real look is much better.

Ok, rather than taking your water to P@H (and paying money?) to get your water tested you should invest in a freshwater master test kit. They test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. They cost about 15 pounds but I haven't used it all up yet even after 2 1/2 years of fishkeeping.

Oh yes and by the way you shop drop your temperature to around 25-26C, 28C is a bit warm for the normal community fish. Angelfish like around 27C but before you make fish choices having the general 25C is best.

 

[JamieM]

What is making the bubles as i have that filter and it doesnt do that lol

 

[turnnidge]

I know I have been to various places and even to specialists and in my opinion the guys at P@H were a lot better. I know the temp has now come down just having few problems at getting to the correct temp, as I put it at 26 and the temp shows 23 so its a bit funny.

Well they are doing this for free to anyone which is really good in my opinion espec for a first timer, as by just me getting a kit and may not know what exactly to look for they can double check it.

Any ideas on my first set of fish then guys, I really want a colourful selection!!!

 

[JamieM]

Are you going for a community tank or a specific species?

And how are you producing those bubles

 

[turnnidge]

Community tank, its an air stone it is a really nifty thing, i got it buried under the gravel, before i had it sitting on top but the bubbles look a lot better now that its buried!!!!

 

[JamieM]

What do you connect it too? The airstone that is,

Also for a community tank, Usually people go for neon tetras, guppies, Plecos, Siamese Fighters most say they shouldnt be kept with guppies though but i know people who have no problems with them theres lots of choice tbh

 

[turnnidge]

Sorry buddy just an air pump was only bout £15 its only a little thing but its the right size for the tank. Oh by the way its the larger rectangular air stone!

 

[JamieM]

Thanks alot, il be buying one of these tonight anything to keep the airflow good ect ect

I have the same tank as you, i bought a mahoosive shipwreck for my tank cost £60 gulpp lol im going to place the airpumps inside it and some plants

Heres a decent fish,

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...bayphotohosting

Halfmoon Siamese Fighter, the only thing is you will have to watch out for fin nippers

i bought this one below hes arriving saturday Named Deadly Nightshade ;

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...1013&ih=011

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

looks lovely! i have a similar peice of wood on the same side of my tank lolllzzz a nice little peckoltia would look great in there. why not look into them? they can get pretty pricey though.
i kno that a few pearl gouramis would look good in there too!

 

[turnnidge]

'peckoltia'

Well I've just got my first lil fish, 1 male sailfin mollie and 2 females and 2 dalmation balloon mollies.

Yeah the air stone is very easy in that case they also do it in a round stone too which maybe better for you Jamie