168 Usg 3Ft Cube - 'the Hidden Cove'

[ChilliPepper]

This is it now, slightly raised

 

[ChilliPepper]

Got a powerhead today Pumps out 3100L/h, and is adjustable, so I have it pointing more towards the surface as I bought it for surface agitation.

Not sure what my litres per hour turnover is now, but that along with my FX5 at a claimed rate of 2,300 per hour, I should have quite a high turn over. Anyone know how to work it out?

Boris is in a sulk at the new thing, but will come round

 

[ChilliPepper]

Think it works out at 8.5x turnover, so that should be more than sufficient, even for when they are adults.

 

[kaivalagi]

Good stuff, I am also entertaining the idea of adding a powerhead, what make/model did you get? I have seen those cheap SunSun powerheads and was wondering if you went for one of those as I wouldn't mind a first hand review from someone here

 

[hamfist]

Good stuff, I am also entertaining the idea of adding a powerhead, what make/model did you get? I have seen those cheap SunSun powerheads and was wondering if you went for one of those as I wouldn't mind a first hand review from someone here

I got a Hydor Koralia Nano 900 (900 lph) a week or so ago, for extra circulation. Absolutely silent and a godsend for getting a bit more circulation in those "hard to reach" parts of the tank. It's got a magnetic attachment which gives good support through the thick 12mm glass of my 130 gallon tank. thoroughly recommended !!

 

[ChilliPepper]

Good stuff, I am also entertaining the idea of adding a powerhead, what make/model did you get? I have seen those cheap SunSun powerheads and was wondering if you went for one of those as I wouldn't mind a first hand review from someone here

It's a NeWave powerhead It attaches to the inside of the aquarium like a sat nav, very solid and silent. Very much like the Koralia's.
I've only had it a few hours, but very pleased with it so far

 

[kaivalagi]

Thanks guys, still pondering whether to do it or not...I have no real need I just figure it would be good for the tank generally (not really planted or suffering algae but for the fish I am thinking)

 

[ChilliPepper]

I got mine as I find air pumps noisey, and airstones artificial looking, but wanted the circulation/oxygenation benefits of them still.

Powerheads also increase the flow in the tank, so more litres per hour is pushed through the filter. My filter houses enough media to sustain a more than adequate bacteria colony, so a much cheaper option to increase the litres per hour than getting another filter, was to get a powerhead.

The water has loads of movement on the top now, plus it is oxygenated throughout. As I have a cube style tank I have to be careful about 'dead spots', so this has solved the problem.

I was going to get the 1,400L/h one when I rang up, but decided to get the bigger one, and I'm glad I did.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

www.lampspecs.co.uk are brilliant for cheap quality tubes, I use them for replacement bulbs for my Seasonal Affective Disorder lightboxes, less than 33% of the price that the lightbox company will sell them to me for!

They do stock some T5 lighting, but I cannot tell you what sizes off the top of my head...

 

[kaivalagi]

I used lampspec to get 2 t5 tubes for my tank, they have a good variety of them as you would expect. One of the tubes turned up and didn't work, they sent me another on the day I told them...very good service

A great review of lighting for planted tanks can be found here: http/ukaps.org/for....php?f=50&t=555

 

[ChilliPepper]

Couple more pics of the tank. I am going to have to put some carbon in the filter I think, as it's proving difficult getting rid of these pesky tannins.

Spot the bichir, oh and Boris begging in every pic

 

[snowflake311]

It looks great. I love the wood and the hanging plants very nice. you need more fish .

 

[hamfist]

What's wrong with a bit of begging ?

Seriously, going back to tannins ... they can be a nightmare. I have failed to control them with carbon myself. Many people absolutley swear by Seachem purigen to get rid of tannin colouring. I tried a small bag of the stuff for that purpose which, to be honest, didn't seem to do a lot for me. Maybe I just needed to use more of it. It is pretty expensive though.

 

[ChilliPepper]

It looks great. I love the wood and the hanging plants very nice. you need more fish .

I know, it looks so empty in there at the moment!

I'm doing 50% waterchanges every week, and for the first couple of days the water is a lot clearer, but it soon stains again as the week goes on. It will go eventually I suppose

 

[meguro]

why not use activated carbon in ur filter? unless the water is turning an impossible to see through brown i dont know why ppl care so much about tannins anyway