Upgrading Massively - Shopping List Help Needed

[SamUK]

doh!

i read that too, sorry!

im doing my water changes so im only half here.

other halfs making sure the hoses dont flood

hmmm, goes off to think (and carry on with WC)

 

[starrynightxxi]

wish i could offer you some advise, but i'm still far too new in ths game to really know what works with who. but you did get me thinking of what i would put in that tank if i had it. and then i realized it would be me, because if i had that tank, there would be no room left in my apartment

 

[KathyM]

LOL - its going to be the same here until we find a bigger house!

I forgot to say in the original post that my OH is partially sighted, so if anyone has suggestions on fish that can actually be seen (my mate recommended whiptails and I had to point that out *lmao*) that would be great.

He likes the pics of Rainbow Cichlids - are these fairly easy to obtain?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yup, can pick up rainbows from a fair few places around here, think were going fish shopping this weekend, can keep an eye out for you if you like

 

[KathyM]

Thanks - that would be great

 

[Miss Wiggle]

no probs, i'll pm you if I spot them anywhere

 

[KathyM]

You are a diamond, ta

 

[KathyM]

If anyone's got any tips/inspiration for setup on a VERY tight budget, I'd really appreciate it. I'll tell you what I've got to spare in my old tank and what's coming with the new one (minus actual eqipment):

Old tank:

Mid sized pea gravel (don't want)
2 pieces of bogwood
6 large vallis plants
4 amazon swords
3 twisted vallis (small)
Small amount of cabomba as it keeps getting uprooted (drives me up the wall)
Duckweed
Two small pieces of slate positionned into tunnel/cave

New tank:

Lots of very fine pea gravel
Pot drainpipe (t shaped)
Fake plants (hmm)
Lots of "fake" bogwood tunnels etc.


I would like to build up the gravel somewhat in one back corner and slope it (there won't be enough to use gravel alone), with amazon swords in the background maybe the vallis too.

I'll be buying more real bogwood as and when I can afford to, but will have to add these over time.

I could really use advice on what I'll need straight away for the initial setup - originally I was wanting to use sand (with pond compost underneath) but as we're on a tight budget the fine gravel will have to do.

If anyone has any tips on making a very low budget shopping list for what I *have* to have next week that would be great. I want to get the tank up and running ASAP so I can sell the other one (new filter is ready cycled and will be adding one of ours too).

 

[Jules H-T]

I'm a massive fan of Red Line Torpedo Bards (see avatar). Get to a good size, shoal beautifully, great colours. Chuck 6 or 8 in there. Only downside is that'll set you back > £50

 

[KathyM]

Thanks Jules - I think I'll look into fish when I've got it set up, my budget's already out of the window *lol*.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

surley sand wouldn't set you back that much, can get it for just a few quid from B&Q.

If you still want that bit of bogwood you can have it, maybe swap you for something if you've owt going spare. No one seems to want it and I'm sick of having it hanging around!

 

[KathyM]

Sounds great - anything in particular you're looking for? Will have some stuff coming with the big tank?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

erm nothing in particular, I'm always after more plants and decor (natural stuff!), spare bulbs bits and bobs of equpiment, food and meds, owt really! we've 6 tanks so I can make use of most things

 

[KathyM]

erm nothing in particular, I'm always after more plants and decor (natural stuff!), spare bulbs bits and bobs of equpiment, food and meds, owt really! we've 6 tanks so I can make use of most things

I'll have a rummage through the cupboards this weekend and see if I can come up with owt

 

[Miss Wiggle]

erm nothing in particular, I'm always after more plants and decor (natural stuff!), spare bulbs bits and bobs of equpiment, food and meds, owt really! we've 6 tanks so I can make use of most things

I'll have a rummage through the cupboards this weekend and see if I can come up with owt

OK cool, just drop me a pm or something