65L Aquarium Journal

So I've been interested and kept fish since I was 12 years old ( Maybe not in such great conditions ). Since then, I have learned from experience and from people on here, how to keep them properly. 
I have spent a bit of money trying to round up things I'll need, as I have no pet shops locally. Just have silica sand to go, which I shall get next week. 
 
My aquarium is an Aquamode 600 model. 
It holds 65L (17 US Gallons) 
 
My stocking plans are:
x 10 Neon Tetra
x 1 Honey Gourami
Possibly some Malaysian Trumpet Snails too. 
 
Plant stocking: 
x 1 Anubias Nana
x 1 Polysperma
x 1 Java Moss
x 1 Java Fern
x 1 Amublia
This list may change, but should stay the same, for now.
 
Here are some pictures of the tank with the two types of lights it has. 

 
I am planning to have some driftwood as the centrepiece, it looks like this: 

 
It would be cut it so it points straight up, so I can plant it, and so it does not press against the glass.
 
I'll add more to this tomorrow, as I will clean it with vinegar, and hopefully begin cycling this week!
 
I will add plenty of pictures to keep this journal interesting! 

Cleaned the tank with vinegar. Washed it out. Just made a DIY backround, inspired by EllieJellyEllie! What you need:  tape, a black rubbish bag, and some scissors. Here's the process:
 
Lay out the rubbish bag, and cut along one side and the bottom. Open it up. If you can, place your aquarium on top, or else take measurements. 

Next, all you need to do is mark around where you are going to cut, but in my case I just cut around the aquarium.

Now, you're going to need to cellotape it to the back of the aquarium. While I taped, I pulled tight on the plastic to make sure it didn't come out with creases or anything.

Now, I turned the lights on, and it looks amazing. What a neat and cheap way to make a backround! 

 
Later on tonight I will add water and let everything run for 24 hours

Great job on the background!!

Ninjouzata said:

Great job on the background!!

Click to expand...

Thanks! Im rather proud of it.

Can I strongly suggest you get a pair of honey gourami? As I type this I am sitting here watching my two (in my little desk tank that is much smaller than yours - you definitely have the room) displaying and dancing with each other and they are just gorgeous to watch. The colours my male shows when he's out to impress are just stunning too.
 
They do this all the time and I don't do anything special to encourage them but they are so much fun as a pair. They actually got to the bubble nest, wrap and egg stage today so I'm a bit excited!

Wow, that sounds awesome Maybe I should get a pair? Although I don't really want fry...

Tadda!!! I'm about to do the black trash bag BG myself.
 
Good start! watching

Alright, water is added, cycling not due to start later on in the week.
When testing my equipment, I noticed a couple of things.
 
   The replacement powerhead for my filter does not fit my spray bar very well. (looking into this)
 
    Second, is when I touched my hood of my tank (which is a build in light unit)
It was very warm. I could hear a faint buzz, and I know that can't be good. I opened up, both bulbs were glowing, they both flicker slightly. Normal for my tank. The unit is quite old, the light unit rusted ever since I got it. 

 
I was suggested to wiggle them in their sockets. I pulled them both out, curiously. Results of one:

I thought this looked normal, until I looked at my other brand new one, in the top picture. The two metal prongs that fit into the socket were both gold. I noticed one on this light was black. I thought, maybe this is normal, as this particular light is a sun/blue bulb? But then i looked into the light hood:

The socket also looks black... the other one does not. I am worried. I will ask my dad for advice, as he is the technician for a large factory. He knows everything technical. I see this as an issue and I am going to look into it. 

Driftwood i've added. Had to show it side on, it has some nice features. Here it is!:


Day two with it: Tannins... not expected as the site I got it off said it had been treated. Good thing it sinks straight away also. The current pH of the tank is 6.6. 

 
Silica sand will be arriving this week Will be able to start the cycle soon! 

Looks good Can't wait to see sand in!

Looks very nice ash! I really like that "shelf" on it! You may be able to put a small, easy foreground plant on it. Also, NO JAVA MOSS! Its so terrible! You can get without it, I promise!

Also, you wont get fry with gourami, the male is like bettas and if not removed will eat them, so you may get a few, but not as many as guppies. Though obviously, a pair can stay in a tank together. I cant wait to see it!

Oh yeah, the shelf is the best feature. I got an email today about the sand... they haven't got my payment D: Im following this up. Hopefully it's there.

Silica sand arrived today, hopefully will get it into the tank tomorrow Pics will come tomorrow also.

Love the black background
 
Looking forward to the next update!

Silica sand being washed.
Not sure if it's grey or white at this stage. The light in the rooms more yellow. Looks whitish. Will syphon out the tank (Removing tannins)
and then add the sand