Another new tank setup help!

P

Prophey

Registered Member
Jan 2, 2004
4
0
0
46
Visit site
Hey all,

I live in Australia, so don't mind my measurements ;)

I just bought myself a 36 x 15 x 18h inch tank (91 x 38 x 45h cm for you aussies) which from what i'm told holds 155 litres, or approximately 41 gallons.

I haven't done anything to it yet. All i've bought so far is a light kit, with a Sylvania Gro-lux tube (good for plant growth from what the guy told me).

I'm now looking at mainly filtration. I've also been told an external canister filter is the best way to go if I really want to keep my fish alive, as well as provide low maintenance for filter cleaning.

My options are:
Fluval 204 roughly $180 aud
Via Aqua 230 rougly $140 aud

My first question is, does anyone have experience with Via Aqua? They're a bit cheaper and i've already blown my budget by crap loads. The $40 I save will get me more plants!

The advantages of the Fluval are that it has a longer warranty and from what I can tell is a better brand (like BMW is to Ford). Whereas the Via Aqua only comes with one year warranty and I heard all that good things about them.

Note: at the time of writing, $1aud = 0.75us.

I'm getting some black gravel, a piece of drift wood and a few plants to start off with.

Now fishies. Once i've cycled my water and tested it to check of pH levels of course. I intend to put in the following, slowly as well, maybe one set per fortnight or something.

Top layer:
Red-eye tetra 5-6 / cherry barbs 5-6

Middle layer:
Tiger barbs (maybe not tiger barbs seeing as they're a tad nippy and would hinder my chances of putting in other peaceful fish)

Can anyone else provide a nice middle layer fish?

Bottom layer:
One red fin tail shark
One platy

Later on I will put 2-3 clown loaches. And wishful thinking, maybe one black ghost knife fish.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well first of all, congrats on the new setup! :D

...Next, I don't see why you need a canister filter in a 40 gallon aquarium as its not so big that a power filter can't be used. I would put an AquaClear 300 on that tank, and your water would be clean as a whistle. :) Also, I'm not sure why someone would tell you that a canister filter is the only way to keep the fish alive, but go with what you think you can manage.

Also, I wouldn't put any of what you called "bottom layered" fish in that tank. I personally dont like any fish with the word 'shark' in it, as I've had horrible experiences with these type of fish. :p

Furthermore, I wouldn't consider platies to be bottom layer fish. They usually stay around middle-to-top of the aquarium. Plus, they look better in larger groups.

If I had to pick what goes on the bottom layer, I would pick about 6-7 corydora catfish. These guys are great, and easy to care for. You do have to feed them like all other fish, and I wouldn't add them right away as they can be sensitive towards newly setup tanks.

Are you planning on doing a fishless cycling of this aquarium? Might sound silly, but we have to ask these questions because so many people just throw the fish into the tank and then ask questions when its too late. Here is a few links on fishless cycling...

Fishless Cycling Info

Fishless Cycling Info2

General Cycling Info
 
Thanks for the reply.

Firstly, oops, I wrote platys, when I was meaning those sucker catfish.. ! I'm all fished out I think.. hehe.

Secondly, I can't get a hang on filter (aqua clear 300 was suggested to me as well), because I have a hood. :(

And yeah, I will be cycling the water first off. I'll probably end up leaving it for a week before I do anything, as I have to work and won't have time to go fish shopping again.
 
When you say "sucker", are you talking about a pleco or a corydora or what? Plecos (if the common species) can grow very large...like over a foot! :eek:

Also, does your hood not have a cut out section where you can place the filter? thats weird that the hood would be totally covered :confused:
 
Take a careful look at the hood. If it's like mine at first glance it LOOKS like there's no room for the big hang-on filter. Then if you look closer you can see the plastic is pretty thin around a big section.

With a little sharp knife work and some bending it pops right out and your filter fits right in.
 
Hey guys

The hood is a wooden hood. So there's no way to cut it. The back is exposed, but I didn't think it would fit a hang-on filter anyway. As for sucker catfish, I do mean a pleco, just didn't know the name. I have a friend that breeds them. If the pleco gets too big I can always give him back to my friend and get another baby ;)

I ended up buying the fluval 204 anyway, reliability and warranty are always on my mind.

It's been setup! :) FIRST STEP DONE!! Letting the water filter itself for awhile before I do anything else. I added some Ammonia / Chlorine Eliminator (ACE) to the water and that's about it so far.

Like I said above, i'm fairly new to freshwater fish. What should I do now? How long should I leave the water to filter before I add plants / fish? I've been told it's ideal to put plants in, let it cycle again and then put fish in, I might even put silk plants in to save money.

So my current status is:

Haves:
3 foot tank
Fluval 204 external canister filter
Gravel
Water
Ammonia / Chlorine Eliminator stuff

Don't haves:
Plants
Driftwood
Fish
Tester kits
 
LOL silk plants can run higher than the real ones...just because they look so real plus you never have to maintain them. :)

Remember that just running the filter will not cycle your tank. You must add an ammonia source (bio-spira, ammonia, etc.). Read those links I provided and it should make more sense.
 
And yeah, I will be cycling the water first off. I'll probably end up leaving it for a week before I do anything, as I have to work and won't have time to go fish shopping again.
Click to expand...

Leaving the filter and heater to do their thing downst cycle the tank, but it does give them a chance to get the water up to the desired temp, and remove any debris in the water.

From the list you made of desired fish , the noly ones that are considered hardy emough to cycle a tyank with are the platties.

Read the fish links aquariumfishguy gave u , so that u understand cycling

I had heard that ammonia is hard to come by in Austrailia but there is a mail order company that deals with it.
http://www.chemsupply.com.au/


HTH's
good luck and welcome ot the hobby
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom