Have Never Bought A Filter!

[xamy_valox]

Nah its a stand alone, its gonna be sat on top of a sideboard that has drawers rather than cupboards, full of stuff haha.
I dunno, i just think as second hand as broken, or damaged, and thats why they are getting rid?
After all this my brothers filter is probably a flippin' fluval haha!! I know the tank is so maybe he got the filter to match!
My tank looks like a jungle at the moment, I've bought all the plants that I want in the bigger tank in preparation but obviously only had the current tank to put them in!!
Got a lovely piece of bogwood soaking away in a bucket aswell, its like a cave and I'm going to attempt tying my java moss to it lol.
I have all these big ideas as to how it will look but i bet it doesn't in the end!

 

[Morphious]

I have sold a few on eBay. Never broken, only as I have upgraded over the years. I was out of the hobby for a while and when I've come back to it, better filters were calling me lol.
You could always ask for a short video of it working though.

It will look great I bet. When are you setting it up?

 

[xamy_valox]

Tomorrow, got the task of catching all my fish tomorrow morning and swapping everything into buckets, then driving my tank to the brothers, and fetching his back with me, then the washing of the sand begins!!
You say better filters were calling you, do you mean externals? What would be best internal in your opinion?
The sand Ive bought looks really light in the bag, I'm worried now that its gonna be REALLY light in the tank, as others use argos play sand that looks dark brown in the bag yet light in the tank!
Argh! I hope my fish appreciate all this!
Will my fish be ok in plastic bucket with the heater in? The heater won't melt the bucket will it? (Sorry if thats the most stupid thing you've heard today)

 

[minnnt]

How long are you thinking for? I have had fish in a bucket for 4 hours without any problems.

 

[Morphious]

External are much better but like you I'm stuck for space so internal for me. I inherited lots of old equipment when I got started so I needed newer things. Didn't want to buy brand new in case I gave up again so decided on eBay lol

You'll have to post some pictures of your aquascaping when your done

I use sand too. Mine is from pets at home (didn't know about the play sand at the time) called pewter sand. It's really light also but mine actually darkened a little when I washed it. I think it looks ok in the tank. Would show you but my phone won't upload pictures on here lol.

If your putting the heater in the bucket, you'll have to make sure the heater doesn't touch the sides or that may cause problems. Maybe hanging the cord over something so the heater stays in the middle of the bucket and off the bottom. Should be fine as it shouldn't take too long to set up. Do you have established filter media to put in with your new filter?

 

[xamy_valox]

Well if all goes well I'll just be having my brothers filter which has his established media in, if i was to buy another one I would transfer the media from my brothers into that one.
I can't remember the brand of my sand, I know I got my black gravel from the same manufacturer though.
I'm hoping mine will go a little darker, as I like the colour it is in the bag but with the lights on it will probably go lighter, we'll see!

And the fish will only be in the bucket for however long it takes me to sort everything, I'd say about 4-5 hours? Depends on how long it takes me to wash the sand!!
I'll make sure the heater doesn't touch the sides, and hopefully won't run into any trouble.

I'll be sure to upload some pics once its done and settled, I just wish it was done now!! Lol.

 

[minnnt]

Wash all the sand before you start!!! It will save you an hour and your fish will thank you for it.

No need for the heater in the bucket. They will be fine with a towel over the top of the bucket.

 

[xamy_valox]

Oh really? Will they be ok without a heater for that long then?
I might start the washing process before I leave for my brothers, I have to be there for 10am and it takes about 45 mins to get there =\

My tank at the moment looking very planty! Although the fish seem to be much more active and loving their new temporary surroundings all of a sudden!

 

[minnnt]

Looks great! Fish will be happier with more plants. Makes them feel more secure and they offer a lot of cover and hiding places.

 

[xamy_valox]

Part way through the big switcharoo! Got my sand cleaned and in, didn't take as long as I thought, it was pretty clean! Just adding the water now. Then part way gonna add my boxwood and plants! Ill report back once it's done haha x

 

[Morphious]

Can't wait to see the finished article. Keep us posted

Can't wait to see the finished article. Keep us posted

How does the sand look now that it is wet btw. Did it darken slightly?

 

[xamy_valox]

It did darken slightly when being washed but is nice and light in the tank at the moment! Everything is in the tank other than the fish, I'm just waiting for the heater to click off and the water to clear slightly.
I don't know of I've added a bit too much sand, but I'm sure the cories will enjoy kicking it about!
I'm really pleased with it so far, mom has actually proved to be a master aquascaper and has helped me out loads haha.
Will post a pic as soon as I've got my fishies swimming merrily! xx

 

[Morphious]

Good stuff. And hats off to your mum lol. She can do mine if she likes

 

[xamy_valox]

All done and I am absolutely knackered!! Turns out my brothers filter was the Fluval Plus 3 so all is well! It's clearing up nicely and by the looks of it, the murkiness was due to my brothers laziness as the front of the glass was covered in algae!!! Ive actually scratched it slightly by accident when cleaning it off but nothing majorly noticeable.

Ta da!

I can't believe how much better the colours look on my fish! The cherry barbs and my neons look amazing. Im sure once the harlequins have settled they will shine up better swell.
Gonna look ay upping my numbers of everything apart from the cherries, and getting myself a bigger centrepiece fish as poor Jasper the beta just gets lost now!! He was the main attraction in my fluvial edge but he just doesn't have the same impact now bless him!

 

[soybean]

It looks great! Well done, worth the effort.

A black background will make your fish stand out even more as well.

(And I have that wall leaf-thing too )