Newbie A Few Questions

[madzook]

Hi all


Were new to the forum and a great forum.

We bought our tank today its a jewel 180 bought it 2nd hand its got all the bits filter heater gravel & nutrafin test kit.

Could any 1 could advise us on were to start we have read quite a bit on here on what to do but still a little unsure on were to start we both scratching our heads at the moment so any help would be much appreciated.

Mnay thanks

Clair & Andy

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Madzook.
Cleaning a used tank can be a bit of a challenge because you are not allowed to use any soaps or detergents or strong chemicals to do it. Your basic cleaning tools are a scrubber and water. If you need help dissolving hard water deposits, you can also use vinegar, a weak acid, but ti must be well rinsed out before you put in the water for the fish. The first thing that you will need to do, after the tank itself gets cleaned up and presentable, is to choose where it will go. A fish tank needs to have power to run filters, heaters and lights. An aquarium also needs to be kept out of drafts and away from sunny windows. A bright sunny window is a quick way to get the water temperature too high and to get algae growing in the tank. The floor must also be substantial enough to hold the 180 Kilograms of water that it will take to fill your tank, along with the tank itself.

There is a beginner's resource center at the top of this section of the forum with lots of thoughts like this that you should probably spend time reading through before you start as it will save you a lot of frustration later. I have a few links to topics that are often problem areas in my signature area but the general reading material in the beginner's resource center is far more comprehensive. A few hours of reading in that area and some of the obscure terms that we use here will become familiar to you. We are here to help answer any questions that you come away with after that but it is best to get a grasp of the terminology and general principles before we get started.

 

[dcarmor927]

Welcome to TFF! the OldMan pretty much outlined everything I was going to say lol

 

[madzook]

Thanks

were having a good read through it and we have a few other friends who have similar tanks so hopefully they will assist us aswell We also needs to get a few other bits and pieces for the tank such as a thermometer not sure which to get a digital type or a stick on type ? which is best

Thanks andy and clair

 

[Harlequins]

Thanks

were having a good read through it and we have a few other friends who have similar tanks so hopefully they will assist us aswell We also needs to get a few other bits and pieces for the tank such as a thermometer not sure which to get a digital type or a stick on type ? which is best

Thanks andy and clair

Hi there and welcome

I have got a digital themometer and i find in alot more accurate compared to the stick on ones,which tends to pick up the temp on the room,so can be a bit misleading.

 

[madzook]

Thanks theres a few on ebay but seems very cheap not sure if that would do the job,

Were going to the LFS do get some gravel and other bits tomorrow what amount of gravel should we have in there the tank is a JEWEL VISION 180


thanks andy and clair

 

[craig855s]

probably get by with 12-15 kilos of gravel..Or 1 full bag of toysRus play sand if u want sand..Gravel is 80p per kilo or more,sand is 4 quid for the LOT

 

[madzook]

thanks craig

 

[Harlequins]

this is the thermometer i got from aquatics online- digital thermometer

I find lfs seems dearer of things you need,i find in best to shop around online

The gravel i got,not sure it it was 12kg bags ,which is recommended for a 3ft,although lfs said it may stretch to a 4ft tank,i suppose its best to ask lfs while your there,you normally need around an inch deep,some put 2 inches in,my thinking is more gravel less fish swimming space ,just my opinion

 

[madzook]

Thanks harlequins

I think it probably would be a lot cheaper to get it online than from the LFS il have a good browse around.

 

[OldMan47]

Another option, and the one that I use for a thermometer, is to get the old fashioned glass kind. They work fine, cost almost nothing and don't need new batteries after a few months like the digitals do.

 

[crazychris]

Thanks theres a few on ebay but seems very cheap not sure if that would do the job,

Were going to the LFS do get some gravel and other bits tomorrow what amount of gravel should we have in there the tank is a JEWEL VISION 180


thanks andy and clair

Hi. Do you have a Wilko, Wilkinsons general/DIY store near you? They sell the glass internal thermometers much cheaper than LFS and they're very accurate! I always buy mine there. The stick-on external strips are no good as 2 or 3 figures tend to light up so very difficult to get an accurate temperature. Must say the digital ones look intriguing so may very well try one of those.

 

[madzook]

It does have a stick on type already on the tank,

did manage to order 1 for £7 hopefully should do the job..

Next question im looking at getting an external filter what would be suitable for my tank its a jewel vision 180


Thanks andy # clair