Upgrading Massively - Shopping List Help Needed

[KathyM]

No problem

Right can anyone advise me on substrate/what I'll need (see post further up)?

 

[clunkster]

sand can be had for a cheeper price than you think, if you buy play pit sand (you know kiddies sand pit stuff)
which can be obtained at toys are us, early learning center etc etc you will find it is a lot cheeper than what you would pay at your lfs, so if you realy want a sand substrate this could be your answer, and it is safe to put in your tank, but do not use building sand as this can/will contain chemicals

 

[Miss Wiggle]

best place for sand is somewhere like B&Q can get a big bag for about £3, definately get play sand though, safest for your fishes.

 

[clunkster]

just had a look in argos a 15 kg bag is £2.49

 

[KathyM]

Thanks both of you I really appreciate your help.

Whether I decide to go for sand or not, I'll need to build it up in one corner - any suggestions on what to use? I've never done anything but level gravel before, I'm completely ignorant on this.

 

[clunkster]

to build it up in one corner you will need somthing in place to hold the sand back but be advised it aint easy as your plec will sift through your sand and move it you could use stones,small bogwood etc etc but remember you only need about 1" depth of sand

 

[Jules H-T]

I used an 18" by 6" by 1/2" piece of slate on it's side across one of the back corners to tier my substrate. Got hacked off with contantly having to push it back towards the corner after 6 months though and took it out.

If the tank is empty you could always stick some pieces of glass into the base of the tank with silicone. Slightly more permanent. Glass is cheap to have cut to whatever size you need. Just make sure you pay the extra couple of quid to get at least the long edge you have pointing upwards rounded, for the protection of your fish.

 

[KathyM]

I was actually thinking of using slate (because I could make use of these bits?) too, could I silicone that down and use that instead of glass?

Thanks for all your help and advice you lot

 

[clunkster]

in a word yes

 

[SamUK]

if you make your sand too deep then youll get gases building up (dont remember the name of it but its bad!).

think 2" is the max depth u want to push for.


and yea, get the sand from argos. 3 bags of there play sand will do the job.

i kno that for sure cos we bought 4 and my niece is loving playing in the 4th bag i had spare lol.



do you have filters?


i was on a tight budget too so im running 2 internals that are rated for 80 gallons each/1000lph output.


i used the filter before on my 80 and my fish have been perfectly healthy and these 2 new ones on my big tank seem to be doing good too.

noones heard of the filters tho so its hard to reccomend.

heres the link to them tho.......

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAGI-FLO-INTERNAL-FI...oQQcmdZViewItem

heaters are about £9 on there too and thats for 300w ones that will be jus fine for the tank.

 

[KathyM]

Yeah I have heater/filter (FX5 - whooooo!!), but that internal looks cool, never seen one with a spray bar before and if the output is correct that's really good. Might have to get one of those along the line at some point.

Thanks Sam!

I'm not sure whether I'm going to go with sand or the gravel that's coming with it (which is the finest you can get I think) - money is exceptionally tight this payday and I want it up and running ASAP.

Argh - right I'm going to sleep on in and come back without the migraine and with a fresh head in the morning. Thanks again and n'night!

 

[SamUK]

ive never got enough ££££ spare for an external.


these things do the job fine tho it seems and yea they come with all sorts of nozzle type things.

pretty sure the outputs right too as it woops my fluval 4 when it comes to pushing water lol.


i think gravel and sand both look great but normally end up going for sand for the fishes sake. they jus seem to have more fun sticking there nose in it.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you can always do the gravel to start and change it to sand later. It is a bit of a pain but if you're really keen on having it but just don't have the cash then it's always an option.

 

[KathyM]

Wahhhhhhhh it's coming tonighttttt!!!!!!!!!

FX5 is up and running on the old tank. New tank coming tonight. Cant wait! Hyperventilating. Need.....brown.......paper.......bag.........*thud*.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

not fair not fair not fair!!

my birthday and everyone else is getting new tanks

i did get a tank this birthday though but i've had it for months, got offered another and turned it down, Ian's got it though so it's still moving into my house soon anyway