Want One Of My Own

[Maxta]

Howdy.

My dad bought a 190L tank 4 weeks ago and iv kinda caught the fever and want one of my own for my room. But since my rooms small im only after a 30L, preferably a 60L tank (http/www.petsathome.com/invt/15753).

Questions:

• Would i need to treat the water, or leave it for a week before adding. Or both?
  
• What size heater would i need?
  
• Are there any quiet pumps out there? The tank will be in my small room on my desk, and i dont want it being too loud as my beds right next to the desk. My girlfriend has a noisy pump and that annoys me.
  
• What type of fish would i be looking to get? Any that dont grow bigger than a few inches?
  
• Would i be able to get a Pleco? And if it becomes too big just transfer it over to the 190L tank i have downstairs?

Also can people recommend me online stores to buy tanks from etc.

Thanks
Max )

 

[doubledee]

I would take a look at the pinned topics esp. fishless cycling, small plecs etc. and then ask away from there, they seem a friendly and helpful bunch on here!! There is a link to the site sponsors somewhere (I'm new here as well) on this site which should give you an idea of where to buy stuff from. Do a google or check out practicalfishkeeping.co.uk as well as there are plenty of links. Heater sizes are usually specified when you check their info and it should tell you how big (litres) they're rated for. I got my tank from www.aquariumsdelivered.co.uk and they were excellent. I quite liked the looks of the Aquaone tanks for a small set up, which I will prob end up going for if I end up breeding again.

Good luck!

 

[newtotropical]

Howdy.

My dad bought a 190L tank 4 weeks ago and iv kinda caught the fever and want one of my own for my room. But since my rooms small im only after a 30L, preferably a 60L tank (http/www.petsathome.com/invt/15753).

Questions:

• Would i need to treat the water, or leave it for a week before adding. Or both?
  
• What size heater would i need?
  
• Are there any quiet pumps out there? The tank will be in my small room on my desk, and i dont want it being too loud as my beds right next to the desk. My girlfriend has a noisy pump and that annoys me.
  
• What type of fish would i be looking to get? Any that dont grow bigger than a few inches?
  
• Would i be able to get a Pleco? And if it becomes too big just transfer it over to the 190L tank i have downstairs?
  
  
  
  
  Hi i had that very tank until i upgraded. Its a very good setup. The filter does a very good job of aggitating the water surface so unless you want an air stone just fior the look dont worry about an extra pump. The only thing i would say is that the filter pad that comes with it is full of carbon. I would bin it and buy a pack of filters WITHOUT carbon, be carful cos they sell both!!
  
  Good luck!!

Also can people recommend me online stores to buy tanks from etc.

Thanks
Max )

 

[Maxta]

Went to my local little pet shop and think im going to get a 35L tank - 52cm (W) x 27cm (D) x 30cm (H).

 

[newtotropical]

Went to my local little pet shop and think im going to get a 35L tank - 52cm (W) x 27cm (D) x 30cm (H).

Be careful you will be very limited with what you put in there!! Allways best to get biggest tank you can!!

 

[Maxta]

That is the biggest tank i can get. I dont want any fish that grow big.

Id be happy with some Rasboras (max size 1.5 inches accordin to P@H), a small Pleco (max size 10cm), some Mollys and stuff like that.

I want a nice looking Pleco, i have fallen in love with them

 

[mark.w.jones]

That is the biggest tank i can get. I dont want any fish that grow big.

Id be happy with some Rasboras (max size 1.5 inches accordin to P@H), a small Pleco (max size 10cm), some Mollys and stuff like that.

I want a nice looking Pleco, i have fallen in love with them

Not a lot of room in that tank fella. For example, just 5 harlequin rasboras will fully stock your tank. You've only got room for about 8 adult inches of fish. Maybe 9 inches once its matured for 6 months or more. Mollys not really suitable as they'll get too big + ideally need salt to flourish. Small fish wise Id say go for endlers livebearers if you can find them or galaxy rasboras. Both reaching an adult size less than 1" and maybe some pygmaeus cories also only reaching 1" max. All the best.



Of course ideally you'd go for the bigger tank. Tropical fish keeping in a small tank is far from easy.

 

[Maxta]

I cant really go any bigger as my desk isnt that big, and my room. 35L it is.

Im after a plec which wont grow too big, and a few other fish. Any recommendations on plec type and other fish?

But to start off with im going to put the baby rasbora's in when the tanks set up. We now have 8 babies, found another 3 this morning, so going to transfer them all over.

Iv ready the cycle information. The people at two different stores both said to treat the water and wait a week before adding fish - that was for the big 190L tank. Should i carry out the same procedure for my little dinky 35L one?

Also do i need to do a 1/3 water change when i come to remove the water?

Just asking these questions as the tank is smaller.

Also what is best to put in the bottom of my tank, gravel or sand? Or something else? Also will i need to keep my in tank filter on all the time?

Thanks in advance

 

[jimiminy]

Gravel is best, if you have sand, when you come to vacum it, you will lost a lot. Sand also needs regular stirring to prevent things growing in there.

Definately keep the pump on all the time, stagnant water is particularly bad for your fish as waster wont be taken out.

The water should be left to cycle for a week for any tank, no matter what size. If you put fish in too soon, they will die because either the chlorine hasnt gone completly, or the good bacteria hasnt had a chance to build up. Increase the number of fish you have gradually. A few each week until you have how many you want. But be careful not to overstock with a smallish tank.

 

[Maxta]

Thanks.

How much % of the tank do i replace? 30%? One pet store said 25%, another said 30%

Do i do that after one full week, or half way through the week, or what?

And yeah i wont overstock the tank. I want a plec which will grow 8-10cm max, may have to get that off ebay, a couple of the rasboras or whatever they are (not the large ones), and a couple of other small fish. Any recommendations?

 

[nathan01]

hi i have got a juwel rekord 70 and it is a brilliant tank A8 filtration in my opinion and very very silent filter.Defineltey reccomended

 

[Zeoth]

If your going to get a bottom dwelling fish such as a catfish or pleco then sand would be the best as the gravel can damage the fish's underside.

I would reccomend you got some White Clouds. They look very pretty are are hardy. Also they only grow to about 1.5"

 

[Maxta]

Oh. right.

Well the Pleco in the tank downstairs never gos on the bottom EVER, its always stuck to the side window or log lol.

What type of pleco would you recommend? I dont want an agressive one or one thatl grow 12cm+, or an ugly one lol.

 

[Zeoth]

There's a Topic at the top of this forum that talk about excellent small fish for small aquariums

I'd recommend a Zebra pleco as they only grow up to about 9cm and look stunning. They'll be the center piece of your aquarium. You can find more about them here: http/www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/602.htm

 

[Maxta]

Are there any smaller Plecos that look similar to the Gibbiceps one thats in my 190L tank? I really love him, he looks amazing.