Starting Again

[Karl123]

Hello I had a fish tank when I was younger but couldnt look after ot properly so I sold the fish so that they wouldn't die.
I am now more knowledgeable on the whole subject of fish keeping and im interested in starting again.
I have a 30cm cube tank that I would like to start and a light im not to sure on the brand.
And advice on equipment or what to do with it would be greatly appreciated thank you.

 

[MattW]

One of the points that many members here would start with is your water. If you are using conditioned tap water, find out what parameters they have, such as hardness and pH. Different fish species prefer harder or softer water. Better to keep a species that fits your water rather than adjust everything for one that doesnt. Until you have more experience and multiple tanks, that is .

The next key thing is having a cycled tank ready for fish. This link below is a must-read if you aren't aware of cycling an aquarium.

Cycle Your Tank! A Complete Guide For Beginners

Fishless cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/ Silent or plant cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/planted-silent-cycling.470400/ Fish-in cycling...

www.fishforums.net

You have lots of options for equipment. If you want to keep tropical fish, a heater is a must, especially if you don't keep the room constantly heated. With filtration, you have many options; a simple sponge filter can be more than adequate for a low-stocked tank. You also have the options of an internal power filter or an external filter like a HOB, which sits outside the aquarium. One key piece of advice is not to fall for reusable filter media products. They will drain your wallet if you get caught up in it!

If you have any other questions, ask away, as there are many members here who can help

 

[Karl123]

Thank you for the information. I have some equipment left from my previous tank i will see if I can find them and mabye i could get some advice if they are suitable.
I will read up on the articles to thank you

 

[Innesfan]

Welcome to our community tank! Do I understand correctly that your tank is 30cm square? If so and I'm doing the math right that's about 7.5 gallons capacity, yes?

 

[Karl123]

Yes its about 27 liters

 

[Essjay]

I have a 30 cm cube tank, I currently have yellow cherry shrimps (Neocaridina davidi) and a clithon snail in there. Before this I had a single male betta and a clithon snail. I did try one of the smaller Boraras species (Boraras urophthamoides, sold as chili rasboras but they weren't) but they behaved more naturally when I moved them into a 180 litre tank. I wouldn't keep any fish other than a single betta in my tank now.


The equipment I have -
filter - Aquael turbo mini. Basically a sponge with a pump attached, and variable flow speed.
light - Aquael Leddy. An older version of this clip on light which has white red and blue LEDs. The plants do well with this light.
heater - Visitherm 50w. Short enough to fit in 30 cm tall tanks.

 

[Karl123]

I will start looking into the equipment thank you very much

 

[Essjay]

I've just realised my filter is the Aquael Pat Mini. I typed my post just before I went out and got the model mixed up. But the Turbo mini would work just as well; they are both sponges with pumps on top and both suitable for small tanks.

 

[Karl123]

I found some of my old equipment.
Still need to see if it works then i was planning on selling them and purchasing equipment forbthe new tank with the money

 

[Karl123]

This is my old tank its to large for where I want my fish tank and im going tk sell it.
Its a 100 litre superfish tank

 

[Karl123]

This is the tank im looking to set up.
Just threw in the hardscape i had left

 

[Essjay]

The Eheim filter is fine for that tank with the flow rate turned down. I wouldn't use the HOB as that has a turnover 14 times the tank volume which would be like a whirlpool for the fish. Talking about tank volume, the space occupied by the tank is 27 litres but the substrate, decor and the gap above the water (the tank can't be filled to the brim) will reduce that to 20 to 23 litres.

Heaters - I would test those in a bucket of water before deciding. They may well work perfectly but heaters have been known to fail - either they don't work or they get stuck in the on position and cook the fish. Checking before use is advisable.

 

[Karl123]

Thank you ill be sure to test the heaters