Uk - Returning To The Hobby.h

[Shaddex]

Welcome tot the forums !!
 
May I suggest you get a school (6+)_ or Corys !  (Sorry Im Cory mad!)

 

[aquated]

Funny, I was going to ask about the striped plant because it just didn't look aquatic.  Good to hear its fake.
 
Nice start on the tank.  I think it will look great once you get it all planted (with real plants 

).
 
As far as the fish, you sound like my old syndrome of "a little of this and a little of that and...oh...I really like the way that one looks).  I'm no expert but I'd encourage you to focus on one or two species plus a "cleanup crew".  If you want loaches or corys, because they are so much better off in schools, they are also going to be one of your primary species.  Build the environment to suit the fish and think about fish from the same region of the world.  It makes both the environment and the animal compatibility a lot easier to work out.
 
Just one dude's opinion and not that valuable.

 

[Ch4rlie]

[quote name="aquated" post="3590212" timestamp="1378361993" As far as the fish, you sound like my old syndrome of "a little of this and a little of that and...oh...I really like the way that one looks).  I'm no expert but I'd encourage you to focus on one or two species plus a "cleanup crew".  If you want loaches or corys, because they are so much better off in schools, they are also going to be one of your primary species.  Build the environment to suit the fish and think about fish from the same region of the world.  It makes both the environment and the animal compatibility a lot easier to work out. Just one dude's opinion and not that valuable.[/quote]

Agreed! That quote ismore valuable than you think.

 

[8511swann]

Thanks both, yes that seems like good advice. Would the following work:
A small shoal of neons/cardinals
A small shoal of Rummy noses.
A pair of Firemouths
Something to do the housekeeping? - What's recommended these days?.
Cheers again,
Swanny

 

[8511swann]

So, when I set my tank up I used filter media and gravel from a mature tank. It's been running for a week now, and these are my levels:
Ph 7.6
Ammonia 0ppm
NO2 0ppm
NO3 10ppm

Would anybody care to comment? Am I somewhere near being able to stock it yet?
Cheers,
Swanny

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Just checking...you are adding a source of ammonia, right?
 
Also, IMO, it is better to have one big school of fish than two. That is just my opinion and if you want two then thats fine
 
You could have 5 Otocinclus, or, 1 Bristlenose Pleco. Or, you could just have lots of shrimp and/or snails

 

[8511swann]

A pure source of ammonia - no!. I have relied on the mature filter media, unwashed gravel from another tank, and water taken from my kids tanks. This was all done about 8 days ago.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Okay, you need to add some ammonia. About 3ppm worth (use the calculator at the top of the page to work out how much you need).
 
Without a source of ammonia we can't tell if your tank is cycled or not.

 

[8511swann]

OK, thanks. The hobby has definitely gotten it's act together since the mid 90's!. It was very hit and miss when I was first involved. The science seems to have progressed a lot!