First proper tank :)

[bunjiweb]

Well i had goldfish in a crappy tank when i was about 5, which i couldnt look after well at that age, so this is my first proper tank!

It's a "Moby Dick" tank i bought from Pets at Home (Petsmart) for just under £55. It has an inbuilt scuba heater, light & filtering system including "bio wheel" ?!

Not got fish in it yet as i am letting it cycle first.

What do you reckon i should add next? I'm thinking of adding a couple more plants and maybe a bit of slate or rock.

Suggestions?

Oh and would people advise against putting shells that i brought back from Greece in the tank?

Ben

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Hi and congratulations on your first 'proper' tank!!

I actually like how it looks now, kind of spacious. Anyway, you could add some more plants maybe accross the back to keep the feeling of space and that log is very nice.

As for shells, I am fairly sure that they would raise the ph of your water but I am not sure by how much. If it was a lot, this would become a problem when it comes to doing water changes.

 

[bunjiweb]

Yeh thats what i thought it might fiddle with the ph/nitrate levels if i put in shells from the sea, also they would probably require ALOT of cleaning before use... hmm... so how about stone, are there any stones i should steer clear from? i was thinking maybe put a couple of small bits of slate in front of the plant on the right then getting a couple more plants and putting them along the back like you suggested

Cheers!

Ben

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think there are rocks to steer clear of. A good rule (if not buying them from lfs) is to scrape the surface a bit and then put vinegar on it. If it fizzes you can't use it. Then oviously you must wash the rocks a lot...

I washed mine with washing up liquid on a floor scrubber (many will advise against using any products, this is just how I did it) until the foam stayed white. I then rinsed the rocks in coldwater and then I put them in the bath with very hot water. When I went to empty the water after it cooled a bit I gave them a scrub without w/u liquid and then filled the bath again, let it cool and then used the rocks.

I think slate is ok as I have seen it used but I am not sure if this would change any levels in your tank.

 

[bunjiweb]

Well i'm guessing with the old vinegar trick that you shouldn't use limestone in tanks.... So Slate and other granite-type rocks should be ok?

Ben

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Well i'm guessing with the old vinegar trick that you shouldn't use limestone in tanks.... So Slate and other granite-type rocks should be ok?

Ben

Ah yes! That's the one, limestone! I think the vinegar thing is to make sure it's not that or something.

I think slate etc should be ok but I am sure someone else will verify soon enough.