Upgrade Time!

[Sheridan]

I've been browsing these forums for a while now, and would like to upgrade my tropiquarium 68 which I've had for about 5 years. I feel I've got this 'beginner' fishkeeping dialled now and would like to go a stage further. Really, I'm after what you'd do if you were in my situation. This is a bit of an essay, sorry! (Move this to hardware if you like mods, just thought it would get more attention in here)

First off, the filter is a fluval biolife. It's served me pretty well for 5 years, but it's seen better days, and could probably do with a new pump. It's a big thing and takes up a lot of room in the tank, so I'd like to go external. The tank's 19 gallons for those not familiar with it. I'm really not sure what to look for, so any recommendations would be useful. Would I get away with a larger filter for lower maintenance and a bigger tank upgrade in the future?

Next up is the lighting, which is pretty poor. I've read Bloo's threads on this http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=110869 and would like to do something pretty similar. However I'm not sure on what ballasts, etc I'll need. Any advice and some links would be useful there. I've got some live plants in there now mainly java fern. You'd probably guess they're not doing too well with the limited lighting, lack of co2 and only the odd dose of nutrafin plant grow. I'd say they were surviving rather than growing. So, I'll be aiming for a nice lush, but low(ish) maintenance planted tank.

Next up is co2. Will probably invest in a nutrafin kit, seems pretty straight forward. Anything I should watch out for here?

My substrate has been a fairly fine gravel for the last 5 years. I'm thinking of changing this to flourite(sp?) or similar, and dosing the tank with a liquid fert. Is this a good plan?

Any advice and/or links would be greatly appreciated! I don't mind buying off ebay, etc and I'm based in the UK.
Thanks for your help.

Edit: Your name doesn't have to be Sheridan to reply to this topic!

 

[Sheridanp]

First off, I love your name. HAHA.

Anyway, as for the filter, I've heard Eheim is much better that Fluval, especially with externals. You'll have to talk to someone else about the filter situation though.

I can't answer you about the lighting, as I have enough problems with that myself.

The Nutrafin CO2 kits are great, and I think they are fine to use.

For the substrate, you can benefit greatly by putting a layer of flourite under your substrate. You won't even see it and it helps alot.

 

[Sheridan]

Ok, been looking at the Eheim filters, seems like there's three options for me:

Classic, ecco and pro.

I think the pro is a little pricey for me as it doesn't come with media, whereas the other two do and are cheaper in the first place. So, classic or ecco, and what size?
I get the impression the smallest one in each range should be more than sufficient for a 68L tank?

As for the lighting, I guess you need a lighting controller for each tube? Or can you get a single controller to power three tubes?

 

[Sheridan]

Links to the best/cheapest online retailers would be helpful too as I've always bought stuff from my lfs. Any with free, or cheap postage would be good. Thanks.

 

[Bloo]

What's this whole Sheridan, name thing ?

It's a pain to re-do the Tropiquarium lid - though totally do-able. Before going on to anything else, have you considered actually getting a new (second hand) tank that's a lot easier to modify ? There are lots of great bargains to be found on eBay (I found a great 16US gallon, all inclusive + extras for a whole £5 !).

But if you can't be bothered and just want to stick with your Tropiquarium, I would suggest:

Either 2 single 18W (/20W which would also be suitable) starter units or 1 double and 1 single.


Aquatics Online examples.

Or try eBay for some cheap Single starter unit.
I've picked up some cheaply from eBay. They cost around £18 in the shop and if you're lucky can find some for £7 (inclusive of postage) on eBay. Saving £30 if you need 3 single units.

Some other online shops to try would be:

Aquaessentials (fantastic for planted gear)

Aquarium Superstore

Atlantis Aquatics

Charterhouse Aquatics (great for filters!)

First Choice Aquatics

Livingseas

Fish Fur Feather

Online Aquarium Superstore

Petplanet

Seapets

Surrey Pet Supplies

That should keep you busy doing some research for a while

I would probably just add a layer of "First layer API laterrite" under your current substrate - unless you want to change entirely. Though keep in mind if your current substrate is very dark, the laterite granules can work their way up if you repeatedly uproot and replant plants.

The Hagen system should be great. Check out the planted forum for tips on this - and here's one thread that will give you some tips to start off. Stick with a DIY mix for CO2 - don't use those sachets.

Other than that, I suggest reading as many of the pinned articles in the planted forum - there are many !

Good luck

 

[Sheridan]

Wow, that's a great help, thanks. Not sure about the Sheridan thing, it's just my surname!
I've been considering upgrading to a slightly larger tank, something off ebay. Might do the whole custom stand, hood and lighting thing this summer as a project, we'll see.

The tank's probably a little overstocked as it is now, with some fish still growing, so larger tank might be the way forward here.

I'll be sure to check out those online retailers, and when I get round to doing all this I might even do a journal I've found all the ones I've read incredibly informative and inspirational, a great help.

 

[Bloo]

Though keep in mind if your current substrate is very dark, the laterite granules can work their way up if you repeatedly uproot and replant plants.

I just realised that doesn't make sense at all. What I meant was, it's more noticible if your substrate is anything other than the same colour as the laterite. The pea-type gravel would be fine and barely notcible if the granules worked their way up. Otherwise, consider something like Eco Complete as an "all in one".

 

[Sheridan]

Is there any way I can get around using an aquarium specific ballast/starter. I'm considering buying a tank which would fit 5 or 6 15W T8 tubes. This means buying 5/6 individual lighting controllers or 3 dual controllers, working out silly expensive. Can I get starters and fixings from a DIY store which would work out cheaper? Not too worried about splash/waterproofing the system, I'm sure I'll be able to do that.

The other alternative would be 2 or 3 36W T5 compacts, but I hear this could get a little warm in the summer.

Any other solutions out there?

 

[Phoenixfish]

just to say if it hasnt already been mentioned dont go for the ecco, yes they are enviromentally and cost effective but power to size isnt worth it from what ive reseached

 

[Bloo]

just to say if it hasnt already been mentioned dont go for the ecco, yes they are enviromentally and cost effective but power to size isnt worth it from what ive reseached

What does that mean ?
I think a number of people in the planted section use it with very good results. Ask around.

With regards to cheaper balasts, I'm really not sure. Take care if going for the compacts though - I know there are problems with the Interpet ones overheating and breaking completely after a few months.

 

[Sheridan]

Think phoenix meant environmentally friendly, as they don't use much power.

Looked throught the DIY section and can't see anyone who's used anything other than aquarium specific ballasts/starters for their lighting. Someone must have tried this before?

 

[Bloo]

How can the Eco substrate consume power ?
Or was that one long sentence supposed to be two different sentences? The first half referring to the substrate and the latter (after the comma) to the balasts ?

 

[Sheridan]

Talking about the ecco eheim filter, not the substarte.

Think I'm probably going to go with T5 compacts now, perhaps add a couple of 12V fans into the hood.