Discussion
Couldn't find a recent thread but if there is one feel free to point me in the right direction.
The OH wants one, primarily as a sensory thing as our 3 month old gets older but also I can see it would be a bit of fun and quite interesting.
From what I've read, a tropical marine tank would be great but quite difficult and time consuming to get right as well as fairly expensive so probably a non-starter for a beginner.
Bigger tanks are easier to keep in equilibrium along with a good quality filter system.
I'm keeping an eye on second hand setups where hopefully I can get most things I need in a bundle for an amount I could theoretically get back if I sold it.
I've been looking at things like Juwel 190 corner tank but happy to pointed in other directions.
Pictures of your setups would also be interesting to see for inspiration.
The OH wants one, primarily as a sensory thing as our 3 month old gets older but also I can see it would be a bit of fun and quite interesting.
From what I've read, a tropical marine tank would be great but quite difficult and time consuming to get right as well as fairly expensive so probably a non-starter for a beginner.
Bigger tanks are easier to keep in equilibrium along with a good quality filter system.
I'm keeping an eye on second hand setups where hopefully I can get most things I need in a bundle for an amount I could theoretically get back if I sold it.
I've been looking at things like Juwel 190 corner tank but happy to pointed in other directions.
Pictures of your setups would also be interesting to see for inspiration.
I have several tanks at home and say yes the bigger the better. Yes they cost more but are generally easier to keep.
I would go tropical first as there is quite a lots of work to do still with tropical. Water changes and hoovering gravel etc.
Second hand tanks can be a bargain but only really for the tank. The reason they are selling could be a number of issues for you in the long run. As a default on a second hand tank all filter media should be changed and the tank throughly cleaned. You may need a new pump they are often £100+
Shop around for decoration and buy online. You will need to settle the tank with gravel and water for two weeks before you can put fish in too. When you get fish start with cheap guppies etc. These are colourful and not expensive. Add water treatments after adding fish and water changes and slowly build the tank to what you want.
Good luck.
I would go tropical first as there is quite a lots of work to do still with tropical. Water changes and hoovering gravel etc.
Second hand tanks can be a bargain but only really for the tank. The reason they are selling could be a number of issues for you in the long run. As a default on a second hand tank all filter media should be changed and the tank throughly cleaned. You may need a new pump they are often £100+
Shop around for decoration and buy online. You will need to settle the tank with gravel and water for two weeks before you can put fish in too. When you get fish start with cheap guppies etc. These are colourful and not expensive. Add water treatments after adding fish and water changes and slowly build the tank to what you want.
Good luck.
I had tropical for a number of years and agree with above, Zerbra Danio are great fish to start with as they are self-healing and I found very robust for the first 12 months whilst I was learning
If I was to do it again then a marine tank is a labour of love, a few friends had them and the environments are stunning (living rock, interesting species and look great) but not for the faint hearted, brilliant for those that like to obsess and get into the detail
I say go for it with a tropical setup - to reiterate don't skimp on the pump, it'll save you a lot of potential grief by getting a decent one to start
Also recommend going into your local fish place as they are brilliant on advice like water quality questions, some are also a bit wary of selling fish to those they have no relationship with and one good piece of advice is to ask them for water from their systems to start your tank with - you will also start a relationship and getting fish e.t.c. in the future shouldn't require you to bring a water sample
I ended up selling my fishtank with my last house, so bear in mind that moving fish can be logistically a struggle - I had a 3 week gap between old house and new without anywhere to re-setup the tank so had to let them stay with the new owners
Best of luck!
If I was to do it again then a marine tank is a labour of love, a few friends had them and the environments are stunning (living rock, interesting species and look great) but not for the faint hearted, brilliant for those that like to obsess and get into the detail
I say go for it with a tropical setup - to reiterate don't skimp on the pump, it'll save you a lot of potential grief by getting a decent one to start
Also recommend going into your local fish place as they are brilliant on advice like water quality questions, some are also a bit wary of selling fish to those they have no relationship with and one good piece of advice is to ask them for water from their systems to start your tank with - you will also start a relationship and getting fish e.t.c. in the future shouldn't require you to bring a water sample
I ended up selling my fishtank with my last house, so bear in mind that moving fish can be logistically a struggle - I had a 3 week gap between old house and new without anywhere to re-setup the tank so had to let them stay with the new owners
Best of luck!
Edited by lard on Monday 13th July 12:30
Big Al. said:
Thanks.I searched for 'Fish Tank'
Didn't occur to my heathen brain to search for aquarium.
You can use biological treatments to get rid of the chlorine in the tap water initially you add this and wait two weeks with the tap water and gravel in the tank. This lets the filters start working and the chlorine dissolve into the good bacteria for the fish.
Fluval do a fluval cycle product but most companies make a form of tapsafe treatment.
Fluval do a fluval cycle product but most companies make a form of tapsafe treatment.
Do some reading on the Nitrogen Cycle. This is the key to water chemistry. There are a few short cuts to “cycle” the tank non startup but expect at least 4 weeks before adding fish.
Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
Starfighter said:
Do some reading on the Nitrogen Cycle. This is the key to water chemistry. There are a few short cuts to “cycle” the tank non startup but expect at least 4 weeks before adding fish.
Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
Will do. Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
Will get a few pictures up when I get it set up.
I had a marine set up a few years back but let it all go but have this week bought a nano marine tank.
The live sand, ‘scaping and pre-mix is in now and I started it cycling this afternoon ... looking forward to having fish again - although a lot of places hardly have any stock with everything that’s been happening in recent months!
The live sand, ‘scaping and pre-mix is in now and I started it cycling this afternoon ... looking forward to having fish again - although a lot of places hardly have any stock with everything that’s been happening in recent months!
Starfighter said:
Do some reading on the Nitrogen Cycle. This is the key to water chemistry. There are a few short cuts to “cycle” the tank non startup but expect at least 4 weeks before adding fish.
Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
If you are going to take any of the advice on this thread, Starfighter’s is the one to go with.Planting the tank will give something to watch whilst the tank cycles and will give fish something to hide in. The more places they have to hide then the more likely they are to come out.
Don’t over feed. It screws up the water chemistry.
Google nitrogen cycle and follow the guidance. Four weeks is the absolute minimum an aquarium will take to properly cycle.
The YouTube video below is good for advice on cycling a tank. Terrible music, but good advice (not my video).
https://youtu.be/BF1MwqSvhIQ
I have over 30 years of fish keeping experience. Currently have two aquariums running and another cycling (five weeks in) and a large koi pond in the garden.
Bleach in water to clean our the pipes then rinse very well. Upping a bottle brush through on a string can also work. If it looks like a lot of work then replace the pipes.
You should also get all new filter media (sponges). Filter pad for catching the very fine debris are disposable and all over eBay.
Don’t worry too much about chlorine in tap water. It will evaporate off quickly enough on the first fill and the concentration from water changes will not be an issue.
Looking at the picture it appears that the Juwel filter box has been removed. What sort of filter do you have?
You should also get all new filter media (sponges). Filter pad for catching the very fine debris are disposable and all over eBay.
Don’t worry too much about chlorine in tap water. It will evaporate off quickly enough on the first fill and the concentration from water changes will not be an issue.
Looking at the picture it appears that the Juwel filter box has been removed. What sort of filter do you have?
ChocolateFrog said:
Cheers guys.
Got it home and given it a quick clean. Excuse the terrible decor, I'll get round to that at some point.
Is there a trick to cleaning out the hoses? Or just leave them?
Wow that's a great looking tank. I'd suggest you get some decent substrate, and pile it up towards the back, sloping to the front. Assuming you go tropical, some very large pieces of bogwood would be an option with java ferns which are easy to get going once you've soaked the bogwood for a few weeks, and you can tie the ferns onto the wood with thread. As others have said, make sure you cycle your tank. Cycle it with plants in so you've something to look at. If using bleach on anything, rinse it thoroughly.Got it home and given it a quick clean. Excuse the terrible decor, I'll get round to that at some point.
Is there a trick to cleaning out the hoses? Or just leave them?
I use a few drops of bottled ammonia each day to simulate the poop when cycling tanks. It's amazing how the required bacteria develops. It can take a few months, but don't rush as you do not want to harm any fish. Get a test kit - essential, and planting heavily really helps the water quality. Then there's the CO2 thing, I don't know. Never use it.
Introduce fish gradually once the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates don't show up. When buying fish, check for incompatible species. A few Amano shrimp are great for keeping the tank clean, and the odd assasin snail will help turn over the substrate if it's a planted tank. Always use a suitable water conditioner. I use Prime. Untreated tap water is lethal to fish. Get a long gravel vac too and keep a spare pump to hand. Best of luck!
Starfighter said:
Bleach in water to clean our the pipes then rinse very well. Upping a bottle brush through on a string can also work. If it looks like a lot of work then replace the pipes.
You should also get all new filter media (sponges). Filter pad for catching the very fine debris are disposable and all over eBay.
Don’t worry too much about chlorine in tap water. It will evaporate off quickly enough on the first fill and the concentration from water changes will not be an issue.
Looking at the picture it appears that the Juwel filter box has been removed. What sort of filter do you have?
It's an eheim professional 2, doesn't mean much to me but I've seen people on here recommending the brand, it came with it.You should also get all new filter media (sponges). Filter pad for catching the very fine debris are disposable and all over eBay.
Don’t worry too much about chlorine in tap water. It will evaporate off quickly enough on the first fill and the concentration from water changes will not be an issue.
Looking at the picture it appears that the Juwel filter box has been removed. What sort of filter do you have?
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