As my newbie intro said, a thread describing the beginning of our first tank.
I would like you all to be honest in opinion, I learn through constructive critisim and praise. It has worked so far.. I think.
My partner and I have been talking about having a tropical aquarium for a while now, after a spring clean of the house and furniture shuffle, there was a bare corner. It needed to be filled, so decided now was the time.
We have looked in numerous pet stores for tanks in the past and had what we feel is the right one, in mind.
We baught it yesterday, reason being its a nice size to fit.
Here's what we got as advised by the attendant and my limited knowledge:
Aquael 70x35x40 cm glass tank. I'm not 100% sure but I estimated its roughly 100l or 25g, would that add up correctly?
With the tank came: A black cover with a feeding flap and a single fluorescent bulb inside, (I don't know what kind of bulb or wattage anything, so suggestions to what it could be or should be would be great)
Aquael internal filter- Fan2 plus. I know it is 5.2W, i don't think the design is good particularly, I would prefer an external filter. My mother has an old one which she said she will try to get to work and I'm welcome to it then, good or bad idea? I know it's still in excellent condition, and was top quality when bought new. If that falls through will the aquael filter do the job well enough?
Aquael heater - Comfortzone AQn75? It seems to be heating the water slowly ? It has a dial so you can set temp. What temp is a good temp for a beginner tank (not planning on fancy fish yet) ?
A stick on black strip thermometer which I think is pretty useless. Best thermometer to use?
Aquael -ActiBaktol
Aquael - Vegetal
A bag of black polished gravel.
We were then told we needed:
Tetra - Easy Balance
More gravel, I chose natural gravel and my partner chose coral sand.
We also picked up:
Helicopter ruin
2 plastic plants ( I want to get potted plants later on if that's possible?).
Once home and tank positioned I researched a propper method of setting it up. Washed tank, gravel, soaked heater and filter in water unplugged, decorated with what I have so far, half filled tank, installed heater, filter and thermometer. Then filled the rest.
Plugged everything in and added the ActiBaktol and two drops of Easy Balance. Im not sure if it is, what the shop attendant sold it to us as. (he said it was water conditioner? But it says it's for reducing frequent water changes)
We filled it with village water.
Later last night my mother gave us a tub of water from her tank and some cuttings from one of her live plants (I'll look up the name because I dont know). Her aquarium is very established. She said it should help to kick start the cycle? I trust her words because she's a known environmental scientist. However she's mainly in marine settings.
My vision for the tank is a lost setting, taking inspiration from the tv series. We are completely open to species because we want to really research the most suitable fish before purchase. Any advice or suggestions for decorating? Good fish groups to keep in this tank etc?
If I have messed up even at the beginning with my tank I'm willing to completely restart or add change things, as it has only been done a day. I just want to learn the correct methods.
Oh and while the water is still feeling a bit cold my partner put the goldfish in there to try and aid the cycle? Usefull or not?
Here is a pic of the tank so far
Look foreward to feedback.
I would like you all to be honest in opinion, I learn through constructive critisim and praise. It has worked so far.. I think.
My partner and I have been talking about having a tropical aquarium for a while now, after a spring clean of the house and furniture shuffle, there was a bare corner. It needed to be filled, so decided now was the time.
We have looked in numerous pet stores for tanks in the past and had what we feel is the right one, in mind.
We baught it yesterday, reason being its a nice size to fit.
Here's what we got as advised by the attendant and my limited knowledge:
Aquael 70x35x40 cm glass tank. I'm not 100% sure but I estimated its roughly 100l or 25g, would that add up correctly?
With the tank came: A black cover with a feeding flap and a single fluorescent bulb inside, (I don't know what kind of bulb or wattage anything, so suggestions to what it could be or should be would be great)
Aquael internal filter- Fan2 plus. I know it is 5.2W, i don't think the design is good particularly, I would prefer an external filter. My mother has an old one which she said she will try to get to work and I'm welcome to it then, good or bad idea? I know it's still in excellent condition, and was top quality when bought new. If that falls through will the aquael filter do the job well enough?
Aquael heater - Comfortzone AQn75? It seems to be heating the water slowly ? It has a dial so you can set temp. What temp is a good temp for a beginner tank (not planning on fancy fish yet) ?
A stick on black strip thermometer which I think is pretty useless. Best thermometer to use?
Aquael -ActiBaktol
Aquael - Vegetal
A bag of black polished gravel.
We were then told we needed:
Tetra - Easy Balance
More gravel, I chose natural gravel and my partner chose coral sand.
We also picked up:
Helicopter ruin
2 plastic plants ( I want to get potted plants later on if that's possible?).
Once home and tank positioned I researched a propper method of setting it up. Washed tank, gravel, soaked heater and filter in water unplugged, decorated with what I have so far, half filled tank, installed heater, filter and thermometer. Then filled the rest.
Plugged everything in and added the ActiBaktol and two drops of Easy Balance. Im not sure if it is, what the shop attendant sold it to us as. (he said it was water conditioner? But it says it's for reducing frequent water changes)
We filled it with village water.
Later last night my mother gave us a tub of water from her tank and some cuttings from one of her live plants (I'll look up the name because I dont know). Her aquarium is very established. She said it should help to kick start the cycle? I trust her words because she's a known environmental scientist. However she's mainly in marine settings.
My vision for the tank is a lost setting, taking inspiration from the tv series. We are completely open to species because we want to really research the most suitable fish before purchase. Any advice or suggestions for decorating? Good fish groups to keep in this tank etc?
If I have messed up even at the beginning with my tank I'm willing to completely restart or add change things, as it has only been done a day. I just want to learn the correct methods.
Oh and while the water is still feeling a bit cold my partner put the goldfish in there to try and aid the cycle? Usefull or not?
Here is a pic of the tank so far
Look foreward to feedback.
Only thing is try to get a group of 5+. They thrive on the company of each other.