New Tank

[wslinky]

Just found the forum and figured I would join and get inputs about the new tank.

I have been keeping fish for about 10 years but had to get rid of them about 2 years ago, today I finally got my next tank. It is an 80 gallon I got off craigslist, the previous owner had salt in it but nothing in it in the last 6 months or so. She left the "live sand" in it with just a little of water in it. The tank is covered in salt creep, which leaves to my 1st question, what is the best way to clean it? I have taken the sand out then sprayed it down with vinegar water. Most of the salt has come off, but not all of it. Tomorrow I am getting a new sponge, to hopefully get the rest off. I am a little concerned about any bacteria or other bad stuff that could be in it from the past owner, is there anything I should do to make sure there isn't anything? I know she had salt in it last so I shouldn't need to worry about it too much.

In the past I have had tropical fish, live bearers, live plants, and both SA and African Cichlids I have also bread pretty much all of them. I am having problems deciding what I want to do in this tank, my wife says tropical fish are boring so she wants the colorful (african) cichlids so that is probable what we will do. Is there a list of plants that will survive well with the cichlids? I have very hard water, to the point that it is almost too hard for the cichlids.

The tank came with an HOB filter that I may use but I haven't decided, I think I will hook my Fluval 304 up and maybe get a second smaller canister. Any thought/recommendation on filtration? For lighting the tank came with 2 hoods one is a NO 48" light, the other is a CF with 2 bulbs, I think I am just going to use the CF. Will the CF by themselves work for plants or will I need more?


I am very excited with the new tank since the biggest tank I had before was 29 gallons. I am hoping to get the tank setup and started cycling in the next 2-3 weeks. I will try to get pictures and keep this thread updated, but no promises.


I gathered all the questions here to make it easier.
1) Best way to clean it, anything besides vinegar?

2) How to get rid of any left over parasite/bacteria etc?

3) Is there some live plants that will survive well with the cichlids?

4) Thoughts on the filter setup?

5) Thoughts on the lighting?

That is all I can think of for now any question let me know.

TIA

Will

 

[wslinky]

No one?

Should I post this in a different section, I know I am not a newbie but thought this would be the best place to ask the questions.

Thanks Again
Will

 

[Matt_northants]

For 1. and 2. try boiling water.

3. Anubis, Java Fern and Vallis might be ok depending on with A cichlids you decide.

4. The more the merrier, I dont have any experience of Hang on Back filters though.

5. Just enough for you to see the fish clearly really.

 

[rabbut]

Boiling water + glass usualy = cracked glass

Fill that tank and add chlorine bleach. leabe to stand for an hour or so. drain and rinse a few times. Then fill, add tap dechlor at normal dose, and your ready to start your fishless cycle. I presume you have run a fishless cycle before? If so, how did you do it last time?

I am unsure of the best plants to ty with african cichlids, so mebe ask in the planted forum I know may are herbivores, so plants may well be impossible to keep with them. Using all the light available to you will increase the options for plants, if there are any you can keep with the cichlids.

Ehiem are often recomended as a canister filter, but I have not had much success with them. Many on here also use tetratec. On an 80gal, you would probibly want the EX1200, set up as a bio filter, and the 304 as mechanical Chemical filters are not advised with plants, as many will remove any ferts you add for the plants. You cauld also get a fluval 405 if you whish to say with fluval. I would set the largest up with bio media. You are probibly going to be overstocking with africans, so it would be best to have another canister equily as large, or larger then you existing 304

HTH
Rabbut

 

[wslinky]

Thanks for the replies, I cleaned the tank over the last 2 days and added water last night. I have started a Journal Thread in the African section if you want to see updates.

My Journal

 

[Matt_northants]

Boiling water + glass usualy = cracked glass

I didnt actually mean fill his tank with boiling water as its 80g more like using a cloth and a bucket of boiling water. Most bacteria and parasites are killed by heat. And heat increases the solubity of salts in water.