Another Newbie onboard

[Lilt Man]

First and foremost - Hello everyone

I have just joined the tropical fishkeeping ranks after reading your forums for the past two days and would like to say that there are some very good posts\information on here

After keeping marine inverts and fish for several years i have decided to go back to tropicals due to the amount of time i used to spend on the tank. I am hoping this new tank will be less time consuming, but i am very fussy about keeping aquatic animals so i do not try to cut corners for any quick fixes as i know from experience that they DO NOT work...

The tank setup:

I purchashed a Juwel Rio 240 aquarium and cabinet base two days ago, which i believe holds approx 43 gallons (48"x15"x17"). I have removed the internal filtration system completely (purely for fact that i am not a big fan of internal filters) and use two Ehiem 2213 external canister filters along with the supplied power head for internal circulation. The outlets from the canister filters go to two spray bars which are at either end of the tank producing lots of surface movement. The canister filters contain a biological media which i am using to provide biological filtration and the mechanical media and will be cleaned on a monthly basis using water from the tank during water changes (The canisters will be cleaned on alternative months).

Temp: 77f PH 8.1

Water is dechorinated using Nutrafin Aqua plus

Running carbon to remove further chmicals from the water for 24 hrs.

Any comments\recommendations on ANY of the above?

My questions:

1. I am currently using 3 platies (approx 1" each) to cycle the new system. The person in the fish shop said i can use up to six to begin with - what would you recommend?
Apart from platies, mollies & swords can i use any other small hardy fish to cycle the system?

2. I intend to stock the following:

1 x male dwarf gourami (spelling?)
9-11 x cardinal tetras
9-11 x runny nose tetras
The existing platies (all male)

Are these fish compatible with each other?

In what order would you suggest stocking the tank?

Is the stocking level acceptable?

Are my water conditions (mainly ph) acceptable for these species as i do not intend to alter the water chemistry?

I brought a water sample to my local stockist and he tested the PH which was exactly the same as his (he did both electonic tests in front of me) and he has all of the above fish in his tanks that seem to be fine. His display tank which has the same ph parameters hosts cardinal and runny nose tetras which have been in there for months and look in very good health

3. The lights that came with the tank are standard white bulbs x 2 i would like to change one of them to a different bulb to enhance the fish colours only - any recommendations? as i do not intend to keep live plants.

4. Are there any excellent retailers in the Northants area (UK readers) i am prepared to travel to top quality outlets.

Thats all the questions that i have for now and thanks for your replies in advance.

Kind Regards

Lilt Man

PS If anyone is interested i can post you up some pictures of the tank to give you a visual aspect as well Thanks again

 

[cool_jool]

Hi welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie so I'm afraid I cann't answer any of your questions. Hope all goes well with the new tank. cool_jool

 

[wetwetwet]

HiYa and welcome Lilt

....toooo many questions lol

What are the eheims rated at? - these along with the powerhead sounds like a lot of flow

Declorinators are a personal choice - but I use stress coat as it goes a long way...

Personally I'm not a fan of fish cycleing but believe that zebra danios are often used if you want to stay away from the livebearers

The fish seem fine - stock slowly - I'd probably start with the tetras but I'd also look at some bottom dwellers/cats/plecs or some ottos to help with algae...

Stocking seems fine - 1" (adult size) of fish per gallon for first 6 months which can then be increased upto 2"/gallon... - though also depending on how good your maintenance/water change schedule is like - I do 25% every week or two...

If you're buying fish locally from a retailer that has the same parameters as you then I don't think you have too much to worry about

Bulbs are up to you m8 - there are quite a few out there that are supposed to bring out the colour of your fish 8) - there's an artical somewhere here

Northants? - Is that north of watford? lol

Thats all the answers I have for now...

hth

 

[wetwetwet]

Here you are m8 have a look at the PFK website - some great articals and info including top shops

PFK TOP 40 SHOPS

 

[Mogo]

Hello and welcome to the forum Lilt Man!

I would have to agree with Wet on the flow issue. Two 2213's and a powerhead is going to create quite a current in a 43 gallon and is probably going to stress out your fish. I think one 2213 will be more than sufficient.

The pH seems a little high, especially for the tetra's as they prefer slightly acidic water. Although they are surviving under these conditions, I believe it will be causeing stress on them and they will be prone to disease. I would probably try to get the pH down to at least 7.5.

Everything else seems to be okay, Wet gave some good advice, and if you follow that, things should go great. Happy fish keeping!

 

[Lilt Man]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies.

Wet - the eheims are rated at 50 gals per hour so the turn over the tank about twice an hour. The internal power head is on a timer and comes on at 9:00am off at 10:00pm, so the current is reduced for night time rest
Do you think that this is too much flow? As the two externals are used purely to agitate the water surface.

How long do you suggest i wait until i start to add the tetras - i was going to start with the runny nose variety.

What is your preferred method of cycling the tank.

Kind Regards

Lilt Man

 

[Elisabeth]

As regards lighting, I've tried a few combinations but the one I have now is the best for showing off the colours of the fish.
I've replaced the 2 bulbs in my Juwel 190 tank with 1 Power Glo light (purple light) and 1 Arcadia tropical freshwater light (which is just a standard white fluorescent light). The Power Glo one goes at the front of the tank, the white one at the back.
This works great as the purple light illuminates the bottom of the tank, (great for catfish and other bottom dwellers), and the white one lights up the top half of the tank.
Hope this helps


Oh, and

 

[Lilt Man]

Thanks Elisabeth

Very valuable feedback - much appreciated

 

[silver]

Hi there.
I am no expert by any means, but you should probably wait at least 10 days before adding any fish that you wish to live! All the while be checking your amonia levels once in the morning and once at night. You want to wait until your amonia level spikes really high and then comes down to almost 0. If you are a little anxious then I would think it would be alright to add fish after that first spike. But remember that you have to have a nitrate and a nitrite spike too (right?)......ya I think so!! But my experience shows that the amonia spike is the deadliest, but the others are very bad too. Your cycling fish may live through it and they may not....who knows!! What you could do is after that amonia spike add about 6 of the fish on your list that are the most hardy. Then after another 7 - 10 days add the remaining 3 - 5 of that hardiest species. Then 7 days later add half of the second most hardy fish and then 7 - 10 days later go buy 3 - 5 more (you said 9 - 11 right ). Then add your gourami last.

Hopefully this was a little help.

Silver