New Set Up And Some Questions

[doubledee]

Hi all,


I've been away from fishkeeping for a number of years and have decided to start up a 180 litre tank in my hallway (away from speakers etc). I am going to go for a South American setup with bogwood, a base layer of Terralit and then silver sand on top (for how long is anyone's guess!), some rocks and plants. I've ordered a Eheim 2126 external filter with built in heater. I haven't decided whiat media to fill it with. Any recommendations? I haven't got a Co2 unit but may well if anyone can tell me that I really need one!

I intend keeping 6-10 Cory, a couple of the smaller plecs, a shoal of Tetras (probably rummy nosed) and another species, which I haven't decided yet. I was thinking of Rams but obviously they're a bit more demanding than the norm. I've no idea what my water is like as I haven't tested it but I seem to remember the ph was above 7.0 so I will probably have to reduce it using either peat or a ph ajuster. I've never used such a product before as I don't think it was around when I last kept fish. Can anyone suggest another alternative 'focal' fish for my setup instead of the Rams to go with the other fish?

I had a clown plec and a Hypancistrus zebra in my last display tank which set me back about £30 which was a lot of money. I've no idea how much they fetch nowadays and I recall that they're no longer allowed to be exported. Are there any similar plecs that are as striking to look at that stay quite small (12-15cm or so)? I want to keep more than one species if possible.

I have a B&Q water filter under the sink but I've no idea what it removes! The water tastes better, that's as much as I know!! I will use a water treatment anyway for removing chlorine etc in addition to the filtered water, which I hope will be better for the fish than boggo standard tap water. I would go with an RO unit but I don't think I have the patience to wait during water changes! As I am not going to keep Discus etc. it shouldn't really be a requirement. Does anyone else use an under sink water filter (add on or built in) for keeping fish and can anyone highlight any benefits, obvious or otherwise?

Fingers crossed the kit will be here next week, so I can crack on with setting it up and cycling the tank. The tank comes with lights but I've no idea how effective they are. If need be, I will purchase an additional unit. Also, have anyone fitted a 'moon' effect light to their tank? I've seen some in the salt water sections and built in to a Nano Reef Tank but I can't seem to find a unit to fit to the hood, so I guess, I will have to make my own.

Thanks for reading! I will update with pics as when I start setting up the tank.

 

[Jamesham]

eh, the clown loaches can be from £5 - £10 nowadays and if you are lucky enough i think that you will be able to find a zebra for £10-15. that sounds like a good setup, make sure you get at least 4 of each type of cory and for some help, bronze and albinos school together. the golden nugget plec stays quite small i think and is probabley one of the most easily found plecs. i would recommed 2 or 3 german blue rams as they aren't hard to keep at all and in good water conditions their colours really do come out. but if you want another fish instead of the rams i would go withmaybe a red tailed black shark, although when they grow full size they might have a go at one of your rummynose.i wouldnt recommed getting a monlight, just turn on a light in the other corner of the room and you can see them well without the fish being annoyed.

 

[OohFeeshy]

^Not the proper L046 for £10-15 though. Luckilly there's a few species that do go for that sort of price that are fairly similar- the chocolate zebra plec, for instance (although if I recall it is selling for a bit more than that now).

 

[doubledee]

I will look into the Rams and ask my local LFS to see what he says about the water etc. I will probably be adding them last anyway and that will probably be a few months down the line. Although I like the red tailed sharks, it won't fit in with my South American theme.

Cheers for the plec info, I might get myself a plec book to see what all these L numbers are on about!!!!