Any Last Things Before I Commit.....

[cynic]

Ok, have pretty much got my head round my needs for the new tank.

Its going to be 60X15X15, with a sliding glass panels at the top to act as an evaporation stop and i have plans for the decorative top using a lovely solid pine panel that was once part of a wardrobe. I'll be ordering it tommorow so any pitfalls please shout.

It will be home for 2 fancy's that are presently slumming it in an 18x10 with more than likely a couple of other fish, a bottom feeder or two won't go amis i should think. I'm going to need a pump/filter, i'm assuming everybody will fall about laughing to suggest the fluval200 thats in the diddy tank, although it will be in he biggy to kick off to get the tank cycled quickly. I'm considering a heater, will certainly throw a not to provision electric wise but i think i will be staying coldwater for the forseeable unless there is a worthwhile advantage i've missed.

I'm open to suggestions and honest enough to admit i'm chasing my tail still at the moment and wouldn't know one filter from the other if you threw them at me. I don't trust the LFS enough to ask them so.... ?

As a final ask is there a specific substrate preference for goldfish/ loaches? Or is it pretty open?


Note, i now see why these guys need a bigger tank, now i have a proper test kit the ammonia and nitrites are 0 but the nitrate rises noticably with every test messy beggers.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

If you are thinking of adding some sub-tropical bottom dwellers like Weather Loaches or Peppered Corydoras, a soft sand substrate will be much more appropriate. The former love to burrow, leaving just their mouth poking out of the sand, while both enjoy sifting the sand for tasty morsels of food.


If the Fluval200 filter was completely cycled with the Fancy Goldfish, then it will be fine for coping with these same fish in the newer tank. However, as they get bigger and as you add any new additional fish, it is not going to be suitable long term. Have a look on Ebay and the like for good Fluval FX5 deals, I bought one new for ~£137 delivered last September.


Heater? Unless the 60" tank is in an uninsulated outhouse or you live in an area of the world that gets evil bitter winters, a heater will not be needed.

 

[cynic]

Ah great thanks for the info, i thought the 200 would be stumped seeing as i'm looking at 230odd l of volume and yes it is fully cycled.

Makes things much easier as i'll be able to move the fish into a proper home asap and then steadily improve further rather than racing away half cocked.

Ta