Questions About Setting Up My Fluval Roma 125

[fishprotector]

Have you looked at Redmoor wood? It normally looks great in planted tanks. They had good pieces in the abyss last time I was there.

Oh and have a look at cat litter for under the sand. I have never tried it myself but some of the guys in the planted section use it on their bigger tanks. Apparently the clay absorbs the nutrients and allows for a slow release. Would be a lot cheaper as something like flora base is not cheap when you get bigger than nano size.

 

[Suleika]

Will leave the other Cichlids, but can I mix these? How many of each could I keep? Any other fish suggestions?

German Gold Head Rams (Cichlids) - saw these in my LFS
Platys
Mollys
Cherry Shrimps
Malayan Liveberaing Snails (sand cleaning)

 

[minnnt]

Replace the germans with bolivians and you should be ok.

 

[TropicalJuwel]

Sorry to ask a question on your thread, but does anyone know what the plant is in the photo Nicole has added in the first entry under plants and decor? That looks amazing.

 

[Suleika]

I have just received the water test kit and reckon our tap water's pH is about 6.5 - 6.6.

 

[fishprotector]

That sounds about right mine is 6.5

Have you set the tank up yet? Any pics?

 

[Suleika]

No, we are going to the Abyss today to get black sand, plant substrate, wood and plants if available.

I am still unsure about the fish though!

I presume that with my pH of 6.5 I can get rams, but not the livebearers I was after (Guppies, Platys, Mollys) because they need harder water - is this correct or would I still be able to get both?

 

[Suleika]

Got a very nice piece of Sumatran Driftwood from the Abyss, together with a 2.5l bag of JBL Aquabasis Plus long-term nutrient substrate mixture. They're getting some more plants this week so we'll be heading up there again next weekend. Have ordered 40lb of CaribSea Tahitian Moon sand @ £32.99 with free delivery from Aquatics Online. Once we've got all that sorted I'll message you to pick up the mature filter media and we'll get the fish too. Hopefully by then I will know which ones I'm getting!

 

[fishprotector]

Sounds good. I keep wanting to get some moon sand for my tank but I reckon I would need around 6 bags so would cost too much. It should look good with the driftwood and the plants though. Any idea on what plants you are getting? Did you decide on if you are going to dose co2 and tpn+? I cant help you with the mollies and platys, but I reckon that the rams would look good with a shoal of 10-15 tetra and a bristlenose pleco.

 

[TropicalJuwel]

I have jbl aqua basis in my tank aswell and seems to be good stuff, wasn't to sure about it a first as it's quite expensive but glad I did. Plants are all doing well.

I'm not sure if 1 2.5l bag will be enough for your tank or did you buy more and was just saying that you'd bought that. I used 6 5l bags in my tank. It is very messy stuff though, doesn't need washIng and if you ever stir it up you will see what I mean. I wasn't happy with where some of my plants were so had a change around, when I was taking some plants out some of the aqua basis escaped with the roots, had a very cloudy tank for a day.

 

[DBT85]

Got a very nice piece of Sumatran Driftwood from the Abyss, together with a 2.5l bag of JBL Aquabasis Plus long-term nutrient substrate mixture. They're getting some more plants this week so we'll be heading up there again next weekend. Have ordered 40lb of CaribSea Tahitian Moon sand @ £32.99 with free delivery from Aquatics Online. Once we've got all that sorted I'll message you to pick up the mature filter media and we'll get the fish too. Hopefully by then I will know which ones I'm getting!

I was tempted by that Tahitian Moon black sand myself but in the end went for the Unipac Granite black. We'll have to compare colours!

As for the amount you'll need, Charterhouse Aquatics have a calculator on the site that allows you to get a rough idea of how much you'll need. Just put in your dimensions and choose a substrate. I'm certain the 40lb you have ordered will be enough though and you'll probably know before you even read this! It said that for 3cm in my 120x40cm tank I'd need about 46lb so I ordered nearer 80lb(!) so that I have the option of adding more if I feel like it or if I suck too much out when cleaning the sand.

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/calculators/gravel.html

Looking forward to seeing the pics!

 

[Suleika]

If you have any ideas for stock, please see http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/384435-what-to-stock-with-german-gold-head-rams/

I have now added the plant substrate and tahitian moon sand. Only waiting for the dechlorinator to arrive to I fill the tank and add plants. Hopefully next weekend it will be ready to add the mature filter media and fish if the test are all ok.

 

[OldMan47]

With water that has a natural pH of 6.5, you will usually have very soft water. That would definitely not be good for mollies and is less than desirable for most common livebearers. If you decide to bring up the pH very much, you will make the water unsuitable for the rams.

I try to match fish with my local tap water so that it does not become a chore keeping my fish alive. For my water that means mostly livebearers.