New Tank, Now What? :-)

[nudenurd]

Upon discovering that my little 25L tank was ~8 times overpopulated, I decided that I'd better upgrade...

After a little farting around after work, I managed to acquire a nice little setup from a fish breeder who's moving shop. My new (second hand) tank is 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high - approximately. I'll crack out the tape measure tomorrow when I can be bothered to get the tank out of the car. I'll also get a photo and post it tomorrow too.
I got this, a 300W heater (not a Jager, a cheaper model apparently), an Atman AT-104 (2000L/h) and a hardwood stand which holds the tank about 4 feet off the ground. All for $250AU. I thought it was an alright deal... was it?

The tank's in good condition, a little calcium markings on it but nothing that won't scrub off. On that topic, when I get my tank out on the lawn tomorrow for a cleanup, what can I use? I was hoping to use some harder chemicals (that would kill fish) and wash/rinse them out - is this OK to do?

My plan for tomorrow is to wash the tank, take it upstairs and fill it up. I've got some Prime purifier so I'll use that.
I'd like to tank to look a little like simonbrown403's tank, below...

I'll grab some sand from my lfs tomorrow, but re other items in the tank (rocks, logs...) - can I just go find my own? Is there anything I have to do to them (apart from wash them) to make the suitable? Also, if I find a nice little log, how the hell do I make it sink? ;-)

Is someone able to point me to a good thread/site that walks through the steps of setting up a tank and preparing it for some little inhabitants?

Last but not least, I need fish placement advice!!!
Thanks to Tokis-Phoenix's fantastic post, I've identified exactly what I have in my tank.
- 5 Guppies (one's got a spotty tail and is very nicely coloured - isn't this how you tell the sex?)
- 1 Angelfish (one didn't survive the temperature crisis... )
- 4 Silver Dollars
- 3 Common Plecos
- 2 Neon Tetras
- 1 Clown loach
- 1 Red-Tailed Black Shark

Ultimately I'll end up with the little 25L in my bedroom - in this I'd like to have a few nice fish that like staying out in the open. I dunno, something the ladies will like... hehehe
Preferably fish that don't stare....hmmm....

The big one will go in the living room. I'd like to have at least one really weird fish in there as a conversation point... Obviously whatever can't go in the smaller tank as well. I understand that some of the fish I have are shoalling fish - tell me which ones I need to get more of and how many.
I spotted these really cool little Blue Lobsters in my lfs the other day... If I got one I'd name him Boris. Is this a bad idea? (getting one, not the naming!)

That should be enough for now... I'll be back tomorrow to set it up!
Thanks so much everyone who's offered advice thus far - appreciated!

 

[catxx]

i would, if i were you, rehome the 3 common plecs, they'll get to around 2ft each, and having 3 in a small tank will cause all sorts of trouble! 1 common plec will need 100 gallons or more once full size. i don't think they're very social with each other anyway. while they're still small i'd take them back to an LFS and trade them in for a smaller plec such as a bristlenose (gets to around 4-6")

be aware that plecs are pure poop machines, so if you have a plec in your tank keep a VERY close eye on water stats and keep up with gravel (or sand) vacs.

don't get the lobster, anything with big claws will eat your fish! they're best for species only tanks, despite what your LFS may say!

other than that, it seems you're getting on the right track with your tank.

 

[WILDER]

This thread should help abit.
http/semperficichlids.freewebsitehosting.com/tanks.html

 

[nudenurd]

Right, so I've got my tank set up. I think I've got everything I need:
- Prime dechlorinator
- Test kit (pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)
- Nitrivec
- 2000L/M sponge filter (I'll upgrade this when I can afford to)
- 300Watt heater (which seems to be doing the job well)

I've used the prime on the water when I added it. Waited 10 mins then transferred the water from the little 25litre tank into the new one, as well as the filter, plants, log and fish.
An hour later I put 50ml of Nitrivec in the tank. (for the next 10 days I'm meant to put 25ml in each day)

This is what the guy in the lfs said. This time I went to a different place, and they seemed like they knew what they were talking about. I asked about waiting to put the fish in - apparently it doesn't matter because it'd probably be worse in the little tank.

I've also run out of money. I've got $50 to last me for 11 days. Crap.
Therefore I'm now left to my own devices to do the rest. I'd like to put a little stone arrangement in there. I live near the Brisbane River so I wandered down and got some niceish looking stones. I've given them all a good scrub under normal tap water - no soap.
Would these be alright to put in the tank? (They came from a salt water river)

Thanks in advance

P.S. I think I might have found a new home for two of the plecs.

 

[WILDER]

How the fish doing now.

 

[nudenurd]

They're fine - all seem very happy in the bigger tank.
I ended up putting in some rocks I found in the river into the tank, after a good scrub/soak.

Otherwise it all looks good. I've run out of money, but when I get paid again I'll get some more plants and decor for the tank. I'll get a photo soon and post it.

Thanks for your help

 

[QuotheRaven]

ok the guppies will most likely get eaten if not put in with far smaller fish. The same goes for the neon tetra's also the tetra's need to be in larger schools

Clown loaches need to be in largish groups and thats a good deal you got

 

[nudenurd]

Thanks, I've been wondering whether it was a good deal or not... hehe

I've still got the 25L tank in my room, so I might move the guppies into that once the bio cycle's started properly on the big tank. The neons I'm not sure what to do with... I might just leave them in the big tank and see what happens??? hehehe

How many clown loaches should I have? is 6 a good number?
The one I've got now seems to have taken a liking to the rock formation in the tank, along with the RTBS. Are they territorial? I'll get more decor for them to play with soon.


Oh, and where did you get that eel tailed catfish?
You mentioned he's australian???

 

[QuotheRaven]

well the problem is clown loaches will outgrow your tank HOWEVER a group of 6 small clowns would be good for a while and could be rehomed after awhile as they don't grow hugely quick. Possibly 4-6 might be ok. RTBS are terratorial may not be safe with a angel however I have never kept one before.

I got it from my LFS I live in Victoria in Australia. They get to 9 inches so it would be ok in your tank. Just if you ever do find one be wary they are kind of odd and have peculiar habits (rest verticle against glass with their head rest upwards...very odd.)