Don't Laugh, I'm still learning (IMG HEAVY)

[Cyberpaddy66]

Ive already done the introductions so I thought I'd show you whay I got so far, here's a pic of the basic tank running it's Fishless Cycle.

Then we added a pair of Zebra Danios (Zig and Zag) and a pair of White Cloud Minnows (Unnamed) to check the tank was working fine.

Oh and excuse the temporary lighting as we're still getting ourselves fully set up

After we were happy with their progress we added a few more fish, namely 6 Neon Tetras and a rather small Common Pleco.

Oh and the Pleco's name is Zane.

After about a week to make sure they were all having a good time we decided to build them a small cave and thus the Stone Igloo was born.

But the plastic we used was rubbish and the stoned started to fall off so we took it out again, it was about this time we noticed a few uninvited guests.

We were starting to get a little worried as we were reading horror stories about plant eating snails and the like on many forums so a trip to the LFS rewarded us with Luna the snail eating Loach.

It looks like Zane has chosen his home for now.

He must be eating well as his belly is nice and round LOL

Finally we decided to try again with a cave for them to play in and came up with a PCV tube (cut off at the bottom and chamfered on the ends) and the stones again, Luna seems to like it and spends most of her time in there

Excuse the mess around the side as we've not vacumed that section of tank yet :dive2:but the Tetra's seem to like the break in the current it provides.

Finally another one of Zane keeping the glass clean

Well that's all there is for now, I hope to put up some more pics when I get a better lighting setup.

I would really apreciate any hints, tips and suggestions you might have as I've only been keeping fish for a few months, actually the tank was running it's Fishless cycle at the end of March

 

[IceH2O]

Nice start.

Are you wishing you hadn't gone with white gravel yet? It washes out the colors of the fish and you'll notice that it looks dirty all the time from the fish waste.

I'd pull out half the white and mix in some black to give it contrast.

What size tank is it?

I wouldn't have worried about buying a loach, you shouldn't buy a fish just to fix a problem. Its easier to remove them by hand when you see them. Buying fish to fix problems leads to an overstocked tank and compatibility issues. Like the pleco, looks like a common, will grow to big for the tank and possibly eat the neons.

Other than that like I said nice start.

 

[Chonk]

Yeah, the common pleco will get way too big for that tank and will cause more waste then it will clean.

So i would try to trade in the pleco and get some oto cats.

edit- I like the story.

 

[Cyberpaddy66]

Nice start.

Thank you.

Are you wishing you hadn't gone with white gravel yet? It washes out the colors of the fish and you'll notice that it looks dirty all the time from the fish waste.

I'd pull out half the white and mix in some black to give it contrast.

We liked the idea of the white and it cost next to nothing but we have already thought about the black gravel mix as well, it's all just a matter of timing the funds with the purchases LOL

I wasn't aware that the colour of the fish would be affected by the gravel colour, is that just an aesthetic thing or is it harmful to the fish.

What size tank is it?

It's actually 18"x10"x10"

I wouldn't have worried about buying a loach, you shouldn't buy a fish just to fix a problem. Its easier to remove them by hand when you see them. Buying fish to fix problems leads to an overstocked tank and compatibility issues. Like the pleco, looks like a common, will grow to big for the tank and possibly eat the neons.

Good point about over stocking but we're intending to slowly set up a 43" tank in an alcove (cutting down a 4foot one to make it fit) and transfer all the fish over to that, then keep this tank set up as a hospital/quarentie/spawning tank

I haven't read anywhere about the Pleco and the Loach not getting on and the ones I have here seem to be quite friendly, is there a definative guide anywhere to say what fish can go with the others?

 

[Cyberpaddy66]

Yeah, the common pleco will get way too big for that tank and will cause more waste then it will clean.

So i would try to trade in the pleco and get some oto cats.

edit- I like the story.

Hmmm, well the size isn't really an issue as were doing a tank upgrade soon but I rather like the little (for now) Pleco, I'll have to see where it goes and we might even set up a 3rd tank (this is getting out of hand already LOL) so we could probably do a specialised one for him later :read:

 

[Dangerdoll]

I'm having a hard time believing that's a common pleco.

 

[DarkEntity]

Looks more like a juvi Bristlenose

 

[Cyberpaddy66]

I was told by someone that it was a Golden Nugget Pleco but the shop owner told me it was a Common Pleco, until I find out different I'm going with the shop owner (he's been in business longer than I can remember), of course I'd be more than happy to have a difinative identification but guess I'll have to wait until it's older for that.

 

[mtnhomedude]

Careful with LFS, they may have been in Business for a while but just like car salesmen and insurance salesmen, They have your best interest in mind, I mean your money!!!!

 

[Weezer]

Nice start ......:dance2: