Nick`s New Mbuna Tank Diary

[mamafish68]

Its probably been stated already but do you have another tank running Nick?

If so all you need to do it bring some filter media from the old tank and "seed" the new tank with the beneficial bacteria and let it grow. Its how I cycle all of my tanks, shortens the time in half.

 

[Nick Sw]

No unfortunately not this is my 1st tank I don`t know anyone else nearby that has a tropical tank either.

 

[brewyn]

nick, why dont you be cheeky and ask your lfs if you could have a small amount of matured filter media, surely if they think they will get a sale out of it they will help, my LFS gave me some and it cost me £20 odd quid for the filter, we both got something out of the deal. with regards to your lights, you could try the arcadia tropical and a blue light as you previously suggested, this is what I have on mine, normal light in the day and blue one at night. your a nicer person than me, I wouldn't have bothered with the t towel, I would have just blamed the missus

only joking.

 

[denis coghlan]

Ammonia - No Tanks not yet I think homebase (Large DIY store chain) is apparentely the place for it hopefully it won`t be a problem,

Hi Nick
Ok just wanted to give you my two cents about ammonia. The first bottle I bought was "Enzo" household ammonia, the bottle said it was a 9.5% solution of ammonia and water with no additives. When I got the bottle home and opened it the mixture was blue, this leads to believe it had additional additives. Therefore I would stay away from this brand as I didnt us it.

My next tip would be to check the contents in the shop before you buy, just go to a quiet part of the DIY store and shake the bottle and look in. If its clear and doesnt foam when you shake it, then you are onto a winner.

No point in throwing money away.

 

[Nick Sw]

To be honest Brewyn knowing my dealings with LFS they`d probably say "what do you want to do that for ? then followed by "don`t believe anything you read on the internet". Do you think it would really work that much faster ?

Tanks I will check that out I can`t remember where I read it but Homebase apparently sells the correct stuff but I will double check.

 

[Nick Sw]

Added a few more aquascpaing pictures today, more pebbles and maybe sand in tomorrow.

I got hold of the Ammonia from Homebase BTW looks clear and I`m sure is correct for the job.

 

[denis coghlan]

The rocks look good, its a nice effect the way they slope off to the right hand side. I think you also made a good choice with sand, the B & Q sand does look very dark. Everything is looking tops so far. If I was you I would be itching to put water in the tank, I dont know how you have so much staying power.

 

[mamafish68]

THATS IT!!!! (slams down pen)
I'm redoing a tank tonight!



my vote, keep the lights like they are, buy a bushy nose pleco or two for any algae growth.

you'll appreciate it when taking pics.

 

[Cheffi]

THATS IT!!!! (slams down pen)
I'm redoing a tank tonight!



my vote, keep the lights like they are, buy a bushy nose pleco or two for any algae growth.

you'll appreciate it when taking pics.

Got a pic or link for that busy nose mama? I think I may overtake nick at this rate, I'm adding my water tomorrow. Jeez you've got to have the patience of Job for this hobby.

 

[Nick Sw]

To be honest Tanks it`s driving me mad having the tank there with no water or fish but on the other hand I don`t want to settle for something I know isn`t how I like it, also this forum is taking all my time up !!!!!!!! The slope was unintentional theres a space for another rock or two on top but I`m going to leave it for now and keep an out for a couple more rocks.

I`ll maybe change the back light for one with a blue tint ? I don`t think they will be too bright once the waters in I`ve checked on other tanks the same size.
Those Bristlenose Plecs seem the answer to algae in a malawi but they aren`t the best looking fish I`v ever seen, I`ve read they are nocturnal and aren`t often seen ?

 

[brewyn]

hello nick, getting back to the used media from the lfs, of course it will work, its exactly what you are trying to achieve, you have to put it into a container and get it into your filter asap. my marine tank is totaly matured using the matured media from my lfs. also, maybe I have missed this somewere, but why are you doing a fishless cycle???

 

[brewyn]

dont worrie about your little problem, youv'e got that white plastic mesh that will cushion the weight of the rocks from the glass, never saw that before.

 

[Cheffi]

On nick's recommendation I changed my silver sand and bought some playsand from Argos and it's a much better colour. Thanks nick. Got my tank filled up today. I will work out how to do photo's and post some soon.

 

[Nick Sw]

Right Guys I`ve had a small problem !
This has caused a bit of stress this eveing just when I thought everything was well.
I`ve filled my tank with water about 3/4 full then I noticed that the stand has started to bow slighlty, after checking the floor in the room it is slightly uneven where the tank spans a couple of joists. (basically the ends of the tank are higher than the middle by about 2-3mm)

The line shoes an exaggerated line of the bowing.

I`m a bit gutted but the only thing I can do is take everything out, pack it out and make sure everythings level this time.

Cheffi the sand seems Good I gave it a really good wash and after nearly filling the tank with water it was still really clear (see above) . My tanks in reverse at the moment though.

Brewyn I`ll try and get some Filter media from somewhere then I don`t really have a LFS I`m friendly with though.

 

[brewyn]

I really do think your stressing for nothing, you have the plastic tray to take the weight of the rock and on further inspection you have that metal suround, surrounding the base of your tank which will give it xtra strength.