Returning to the hobby after many years - very open to suggestions

I just bought my first tank in many years. I have no clear plan in mind - other than that I want live plants. I am going to take my time while it cycles and try to come up with a plan.

For £300 I got a 190l corner tank with 3d background. I have always loved the idea of a corner tank, not sure how I feel about the background


It came with a box of 'stuff' including a brand new test kit and a number of other unopened goods


It came with both the original built in filter and this Juwel cannister filter. I have never had an out of the tank filter, but hopefully this will prove useful.


It also came with a huge box of ornaments and fake plants as well as 4 never opened bags of gravel.


I think this is a solid way to get back into the hobby for £300. I don't really have much left in the budget, but I hopefully shouldn't need much more than some plants and wood!

Step 1 will be a deep clean over the next few days. Then it's a bit of a blank canvas - would welcome any ideas you can provide I have always been very envious of beautiful planted tanks you see online - I usually end up with driftwood and a few swords

Welcome to TFF

Fish wise, I think I just want lots of Tetra's and Platys and thst kind of thing. I like small fish more than the larger, more exotic species.

Maybe some shrimp? I have never kept shrimp. Though African dwarf frogs would probably eat shrimp so I imagine it is one or the other?

Welcome to tff.
I got back into it a few years ago after 23 yrs away. It’s changed. A lot.
Scientific advice places water hardness as important if not more so than PH now. It also considers it best for your fish to be keep in water of similar hardness and PH to the water their ancestors lived in for hundreds of thousands of years before humans started moving them around the planet.
Find out your waters hardness and PH on your suppliers website then cross reference it with the water that the fish you fancy are originally from on seriouslyfish.com then stick em up on here and watch this lot bicker about their compatibility. It’s almost as good as watching the fish themselves
Have fun.

Hello! Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you got a very nice deal... If the canister filter works you could definitely use it unless you feel like its contaminated... The background looks nice but that gap in the corner is an eye sore when you notice it. But I'm sure you can cover it with driftwood and plants!

And about the fish... You will have to test your water for GH and KH to see what fish you can keep... Platys are hard water fish but most tetras are soft water. If wither one is put in the wrong hardness it can lead to kidney failure...

I think this will be a great tank and cant wait to see the final result of stocking and the over all finish to it... You will do great!

Rocky998 said:

Hello! Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you got a very nice deal... If the canister filter works you could definitely use it unless you feel like its contaminated... The background looks nice but that gap in the corner is an eye sore when you notice it. But I'm sure you can cover it with driftwood and plants!

And about the fish... You will have to test your water for GH and KH to see what fish you can keep... Platys are hard water fish but most tetras are soft water. If wither one is put in the wrong hardness it can lead to kidney failure...

I think this will be a great tank and cant wait to see the final result of stocking and the over all finish to it... You will do great!

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Thank you

Yea, I find the gap very noticeable. Apparently it's where the original filter used to go. I do have it so could put it back in, but the seller said it was crap. I suppose I could put the filter pipes and heater in the gap then just cover it with plants or something.

I am very pleased with the tank, but the background and rest of the tank needs a deep clean, I think its been left to sit for months. What is the safest (and most simple) cleaning product to use?

Tiber said:

Thank you

Yea, I find the gap very noticeable. Apparently it's where the original filter used to go. I do have it so could put it back in, but the seller said it was crap. I suppose I could put the filter pipes and heater in the gap then just cover it with plants or something.

I am very pleased with the tank, but the background and rest of the tank needs a deep clean, I think its been left to sit for months. What is the safest (and most simple) cleaning product to use?

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I really like using vinegar on anything with the aquarium because a little wont hurt the fish at all. Most people recommend a 1 to 3 vinegar/water mix but tbh I soaked my rocks in pure vinegar and then soaked it in water to clean them... It did the job... So for a deep clean I would suggest a vinegar and water mix

hello! i think you should make a corner piece of the background.. or fill it in with live plants...

Looks like you got quite a bit for your money, well done. It may be blasphemous but I think I'd scrap those background pieces, they definitely protrude into the usable tank space. You could put a black background then do your own rock/driftwood/plant-scaping yourself and gain back the space/volume those pieces take up.

Sgooosh said:

hello! i think you should make a corner piece of the background.. or fill it in with live plants...

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Can you buy small pieces? I don't have any spares

Tiber said:

Can you buy small pieces? I don't have any spares

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Im not sure, do yiu have any similar rocks around?

enricosonic said:

Looks like you got quite a bit for your money, well done. It may be blasphemous but I think I'd scrap those background pieces, they definitely protrude into the usable tank space. You could put a black background then do your own rock/driftwood/plant-scaping yourself and gain back the space/volume those pieces take up.

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I do quite like it, aside from the gap and suspect it will look even better when the tank is full of water. But you have a point about the space it takes up

Welcome to TFF, I mean I certainly wasn't here for a long time but that does not prevent me from welcoming you.

I'd get rid of the 3d stuff...it'll be a pain in the rear to clean when it eventually gets dirty or algae...

here's an example of build up on the sides...the escape is beautiful though (not my tank)
when I do clean the glass on my 45gal I usually use one of those dishwashing sponges with a handle and peel the green pad from the sponge itself so it doesnt scratch my glass
I don't see how you'll manage with a 3d printed design unless you pull it out to clean which will get very annoying very fast

Tiber said:

View attachment 155131
It came with both the original built in filter and this Juwel cannister filter. I have never had an out of the tank filter, but hopefully this will prove useful.
View attachment 155132

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Your canister filter is a Fluval 407.
It can be used for up to a 500 liter tank.
I guess you have to turn down the water flow as your tank is 190liter.

Check here for more information especially the Fluval website for maintenance and installations tips.







All the best!