I’m a newbie who was gifted a small Fluval Spec 19L tank (″ (W 52 x D 19 x H 30 cm, for reference) with 5 armano shrimp and a few fish (not sure what they are!) about 4-5 months ago.
I have some tap safe and water cleaner, and have been doing 10-15% water changes every 7-14 days. I'm in London and the water is very hard. Tank temp is c. 21'C.
I added some plants about 3 months ago (unfortunately – despite taking precautions – that brought snails too), though am having some issues with thread algae [perhaps for another thread]. But the main thing is I’d like a bigger tank – I gather easier to maintain, greater fish holding capacity, and will look better in the space. And general advice on any of the following – tank choice, set up, water maintenance & testing, stocking, etc – most welcome.
I’m fairly short on time these days (which makes me wonder why I’m even contemplating this project!), so to the extent things can be easy/low maintenance – or quickly digestible information – that’d be great!
Tank choice
Max width is 95cm (though I suspect anything over c. 90cm will be tricky to move in and out). Depth ideally up to 35cm, could go a bit deeper but ideally <45cm. Height flexible, as the shelves and be moved, but ideally 35-45cm. Anything much over 50cm will probably bit a bit domineering.
Sorry - a bit messy at the moment...!
Whist there is a cupboard underneath which could house a filter and heater (via the 75mm hole for cables), I’d prefer to keep everything in the tank (presumably less risky re leaks; I need the cupboard space, etc).
The obvious contenders seem to me to be the Fluval Roma 125 (W 80 x D 35 x H45 cm) or Juwel Rio 125 (81 x 31.9 x 50). The Juwel is a little higher than idea, but has the advantage of being available in white, which would blend in much better (matching the book case). Both seem to have reasonable reviews. But perhaps I should be considering something else too? Aesthetically, I prefer the squarer top design (rather than, say, the Aquael Leddy 105, which is otherwise a good size a 75 x 35 x 40).
Alternatively, something like the Diversa 112L (80 x 35 x 40), but then I’d need lights/filter/heater and to find a good/neat way of doing that.
I’d ideally go s/h if possible. The Fluval Roma 125s seem to come up often at reasonable prices (<£100), fit the space well, etc, so looks to be the front runner.
Stocking
Lower priority, but I’d propose to transfer contents of the current tank - shrimp, fish, plants, rocks and gravel – once the new one was ready. I’d like to add some brighter coloured fish – including some that inhabit the higher levels of the tank. Including some larger ones too. Presumably something for a few weeks/months, once it’s all settled in. Easy to look after, get on with each over, and within capacity etc. So I'll do some research on easy community fish, but suggestions welcome.
The current gravel is a mix of Fluval Stratum volcanic soil for plant or shrimp aquarium (of which I have maybe another 2-3 kg unused) and whatever came in the tank (a finer, bluey-grey layer that sits on top).
Testing/cycling/tank transfer etc
I gather I’m probably going to need some testing kits (ammonia, nitrate and ph), possibly some nutrients (which may help keep the algae at bay). And to learn how to set it all up, cycle, water change, transfer from existing tank, etc.
This seems a good starting point: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/
I guess I get the new tank up and running using a bit of the gravel from the current tank (and possibly some plants?), then – once ready (perhaps 30 days?) - transfer the fish.
If there’s a good one stop guide (book?), that’d be most welcome!
Many thanks in advance.
Dan
I have some tap safe and water cleaner, and have been doing 10-15% water changes every 7-14 days. I'm in London and the water is very hard. Tank temp is c. 21'C.
I added some plants about 3 months ago (unfortunately – despite taking precautions – that brought snails too), though am having some issues with thread algae [perhaps for another thread]. But the main thing is I’d like a bigger tank – I gather easier to maintain, greater fish holding capacity, and will look better in the space. And general advice on any of the following – tank choice, set up, water maintenance & testing, stocking, etc – most welcome.
I’m fairly short on time these days (which makes me wonder why I’m even contemplating this project!), so to the extent things can be easy/low maintenance – or quickly digestible information – that’d be great!
Tank choice
Max width is 95cm (though I suspect anything over c. 90cm will be tricky to move in and out). Depth ideally up to 35cm, could go a bit deeper but ideally <45cm. Height flexible, as the shelves and be moved, but ideally 35-45cm. Anything much over 50cm will probably bit a bit domineering.
Sorry - a bit messy at the moment...!
Whist there is a cupboard underneath which could house a filter and heater (via the 75mm hole for cables), I’d prefer to keep everything in the tank (presumably less risky re leaks; I need the cupboard space, etc).
The obvious contenders seem to me to be the Fluval Roma 125 (W 80 x D 35 x H45 cm) or Juwel Rio 125 (81 x 31.9 x 50). The Juwel is a little higher than idea, but has the advantage of being available in white, which would blend in much better (matching the book case). Both seem to have reasonable reviews. But perhaps I should be considering something else too? Aesthetically, I prefer the squarer top design (rather than, say, the Aquael Leddy 105, which is otherwise a good size a 75 x 35 x 40).
Alternatively, something like the Diversa 112L (80 x 35 x 40), but then I’d need lights/filter/heater and to find a good/neat way of doing that.
I’d ideally go s/h if possible. The Fluval Roma 125s seem to come up often at reasonable prices (<£100), fit the space well, etc, so looks to be the front runner.
Stocking
Lower priority, but I’d propose to transfer contents of the current tank - shrimp, fish, plants, rocks and gravel – once the new one was ready. I’d like to add some brighter coloured fish – including some that inhabit the higher levels of the tank. Including some larger ones too. Presumably something for a few weeks/months, once it’s all settled in. Easy to look after, get on with each over, and within capacity etc. So I'll do some research on easy community fish, but suggestions welcome.
The current gravel is a mix of Fluval Stratum volcanic soil for plant or shrimp aquarium (of which I have maybe another 2-3 kg unused) and whatever came in the tank (a finer, bluey-grey layer that sits on top).
Testing/cycling/tank transfer etc
I gather I’m probably going to need some testing kits (ammonia, nitrate and ph), possibly some nutrients (which may help keep the algae at bay). And to learn how to set it all up, cycle, water change, transfer from existing tank, etc.
This seems a good starting point: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/
I guess I get the new tank up and running using a bit of the gravel from the current tank (and possibly some plants?), then – once ready (perhaps 30 days?) - transfer the fish.
If there’s a good one stop guide (book?), that’d be most welcome!
Many thanks in advance.
Dan