42g Tub.

[thelastbetta]

I just bought a 42 gallon see through tub for 50¢ at a local garage sale.

I am going to put an oranda in if all goes well. I've had my eye on a very beautiful calico.

So I have cleaned the tub, rinsed, rinsed and rinsed a thousand more times, cleaning it over very thoroughly. It has now been placed on a sturdy table in the corner of my room away from any direct sunlight, drafts, activity, etc. I have filled the tank, dechlorinated the water and now the tank temp is at 74 degrees farenheit. I have added a small natural looking pebbles, a variety of fake plants and a couple of live amazon sword plants and some bog wood.

An undergravel filter has been added, airstones have also been added along the back of the tank. A small heater has been hooked up and a light. The tank has been running for about four days now, just so I can make sure nothing is faulty.


Right now all that is in there are four ramshorn snails to help with algae and clean waste.

I want to make sure, does everything sound ok for an oranda before I actually go out and buy it? should I add anything, take it away, etc?

 

[akudewan]

Wow, 50cents !!

I would get rid of the undergravel filter and get a better filter. UGF's cause nitrate build-ups, and I really find them useless. Its like sweeping the dirt under the carpet...

 

[black angel]

Yes i agree, ugf isnt powerful enough to clean up after a goldie get a cannister to run along side it. You will need one that gives ten times tank capacity.
You should also cycle the tank before you buy your fish.
If you do decide to get the bigger filter do you have an already established tank that you can run a new filter on for a while?
Lucky fish getting all that room for himself.

 

[thelastbetta]

Would my FilStar xP1 Canister Filter do, it's already been used so it doesn't need to run on it's own?

As for cycling I just plan to do routine water changes and syphons.

 

[black angel]

I havent heard of the filstar but as long as it does 450 gallons per hour then its fine.
If you add a new filter then the fish you will be cycling with it and you could so easily make it stressed and ill.
Please, if the filter is new cycle the tank first but if the filter has already been used on another tank then it will be ok.
Remember to constantly check your water for ammonia and nitrites.