Hello And Advice Please

[Behold]

Hi there All

Im a vey new to this whole fish game.... So please bear with any ingnorance from my part.

I have been given a 180L tank and decided to use it for the good. I have done some reading but could do with some practical advice.

From what i have read this is what i need/must do for starting my tropical tank

Filter (Im going to go external i think as its easier maintance and more flexible.)
Heater
Temp gauge

Fill up the tank about 1/3 add my gravel /bed
fill up 1/2 way and add any plants ETC
Fill up fully and run for 2-3 weeks to get water to correct levels and test equipments

Add fish a few at a time allowing them to aclimatise for a few days or more and settle in the water.

Some advice on best type of heaters and things would be nice but more so on how to treat the water correctly and get it to the desired levels (Books to read would be nice too)

Also below is some of the fish my wife and i like and after a bit of looking in to should survive in 24 degrees freshwater. around 6.5ph Not all will be added but advice on pro's cons would and which may not go would be nice.


Thanks


Angel fish
Pearl Cichlid
Clown Loach
Chain Botia, Dwarf Loach
Saddled back Loach
Red tailed Black shark
Guppys
Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish
Swordtail,
Red Cherry Shrimp
Opiline gouramin

 

[dixiedawn]

Hi there All

Im a vey new to this whole fish game.... So please bear with any ingnorance from my part.

I have been given a 180L tank and decided to use it for the good. I have done some reading but could do with some practical advice.

From what i have read this is what i need/must do for starting my tropical tank

Filter (Im going to go external i think as its easier maintance and more flexible.)
Heater
Temp gauge

Fill up the tank about 1/3 add my gravel /bed
fill up 1/2 way and add any plants ETC
Fill up fully and run for 2-3 weeks to get water to correct levels and test equipments

Add fish a few at a time allowing them to aclimatise for a few days or more and settle in the water.

Some advice on best type of heaters and things would be nice but more so on how to treat the water correctly and get it to the desired levels (Books to read would be nice too)

Also below is some of the fish my wife and i like and after a bit of looking in to should survive in 24 degrees freshwater. around 6.5ph Not all will be added but advice on pro's cons would and which may not go would be nice.


Thanks


Angel fish
Pearl Cichlid
Clown Loach
Chain Botia, Dwarf Loach
Saddled back Loach
Red tailed Black shark
Guppys
Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish
Swordtail,
Red Cherry Shrimp
Opiline gouramin

Betta's shouldn't be really put with anything else esp males, females im not sure of, someone else can tell you more on that
Angel fish need ALOT of room as they'll be doing a Jaw's impression, also the Betta (male) will kill guppies as the have large tails (male guppies that is). If you have male and female guppies they'll breed like rabbits. On one hand if your tank is tall enough to handle the Angelfish the fry they produce would be good food for them...heard that the sharks can get rather large and agressive as well. Angelfish as a single fish could get agressive towards the smallerones unless they're paired up...which on the other hand...........well they can be territorial especially when spawning happens....it's very difficult to explain, maybe someone with more knowledge can help

get a dropper kit for testing the waters and also a bottle of pure ammonia if you're going to cycle from fresh. If not ask the LFS if you can have some old filter media or gravel etc will help speed things along

planting etc i don'tknow aboutsomone else can help you

 

[**sarahp**]

Hiya

Welcome aboard just a word of warning this place is addictive So first things first read the 'stickied' topics at the top of each section - so in 'new to the hobby' read Fishless cycling - its a much kinder way to set up your tank than using fish. If you cycle with fish you are exposing them to dangerously high levels of poison http/www.fishforums.net/Fishless-Cycling-t113861.html

Then read these http/www.fishforums.net/Beginner-Questions-f58.html

That should keep you going for a day or two!!!

HTH

Oh - and just keep asking questions on here - I have - everyone is really friendly and helpful - people would rather you ask harm a fish

 

[Scunny]

hey

Fistly (as it was the last thing i read ) clown loaches will grow too big.

Bettas are great but youre really limited as to what you can keep with them as most fish will nip there fins. I've just moved mine into a dedicated betta tank.

Red Tailed Black Sharks (RTBS) are quite aggressive, so should be kept with other aggressive species.


External Filter would be better than an internal one (i've never had one, but im looking into one now). Like you said, a heater is also needed. Has the tank already got lighting? Although not necessary, it will make it look 10times better.

In my opinion its better to add your substrate (gravel/sand etc) first, and get your plants in. Then fill with water, re'arranging stuff as you go. Remember to wash your gravel and plants first.

You need to treat your water to remove the chlorine in it, as this will kill your fish. If you got to your Local Fish Shop they'll have the stuff needed. If not, chlorine goes after the water is sat for 24 hours (i think).

You'll then need to cycle your tank, and this thread is what you need Fishless Cycling

Once your tanks cycled, add 75% of your stock, and then the rest when your ready.

As far as heaters go, all you need to know is that it needs to be 200W (somebodys going to correct me on this, as im not 100% sure if that what i've got in mine. My tanks 180litres too)

Hope at least some of this helps.

Scunny

p.s. why not put some catfish such as Corys in there, or even a Pleco

 

[madmac82]

sounds like a good set up.
Angel fish = should be ok if kept in pairs, providing the tank is tall enough.
Clown Loach = should be ok, they do hav a tendency to play dead,
Red tailed Black shark = yes, they can get big. been said to get to about 2 foot, ive never seen one that big myself mind. but they have a fairly slow growth rate.
Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish = ive kept these with guppys, ive never had a problem with the betta (male) attacking the guppys. females should be ok.
the rest ive not had anything to do with.
hope this is of some use to you. B)

 

[Scunny]

Red tailed Black shark = yes, they can get big. been said to get to about 2 foot, ive never seen one that big myself mind. but they have a fairly slow growth rate.

As far as im aware RTBS will only grown to roughly 15cm rather than 60cm.

I'd still be wary of putting clown loaches in there, as they like to be in groups, and they will grow to 30cm. And although 180litres is big...its not that big

If you take your time and look round for the right Angelfish they can look truly amazing

 

[Behold]

Wow i never expected a flurry of answers.

I will start reading the stickys and yes i can see this being addicive. my owners club is bad enough!!

What is a minimun recomended height for angels then? i have seen a type i like. (Black with silver specles) I forgot the name but i hear there a less aggressive type more suited in a comunity than others...

When ever i see bettas there always only. alone. I have heard never put 2 males in a tank....

As to guppies they were a thought as they do look pretty and in time (A few years...) i would like to try to bread succesfully and i hear its an easy start.

I have heard the RTBS if given a bit of room and if kept in a tank from young with others are les likely to be over aggressive. but correct me if im wrong.

Would anyone recomend a good reliable heater?

What should i get for a kit for water testing? is there a good buy or just whatever???

If not ask the LFS if you can have some old filter media or gravel etc will help speed things along

What do you mean? by that ? to cheapen the setup?


One last thing i heard pure water is a good way to start? is that right i would of thought it was harmful to the fish? (I can get this freely)

Thanks

Im going for a read.....

 

[stang1]

Bettas are often mistook for being lonely but they are a solitary fish by nature. My Bettas are kept in a divided tank with no other fish and are more than happy. The other problem with keeping a Betta in a community tank is that it restricts you to what other fish you can keep as so many fish are incompatible. Leaving this off your stocking list will leave you more choice for stocking options.
Angel fish need a tank that is at least 18" high so they may be ok in your tank.
You are best buying a liquid test kit as the test strips are not very accurate. You may end up paying more for a liquid one but it's worth the extra few pounds.

 

[Scunny]

I haven't got a RTBS, but im getting one on Saturday with the rest of my stock for my new tank, so i've read up on them a fair bit. I expect putting them in young would help, but it'd also probably help to put your less aggressive fish in first, in order to let them settle.

your probably best off getting a liquid water test kit, as there more accurate than the test strips. Then again i've never been able to bring myself round ot pay £20 for one and stuck with the test strips. Either will do in my eyes.

Once you've finished reading the stickys you'll hopefully understand the way bacteria lives on your filter media. Your tank is cycled when you have this bacteria. If you were to get some used filter media from somewhere then it'd have tihs bacteria on it and will help your tank to cycle loads.

Yeah your right...never put two male Bettas together.

From what i've heard...weather you want to breed guppies or not...there gonna breed

I dunno about using pure water. I've always thought about it myself as the powerstation i work at has a Water Treatment Plant which means i can get pure water. But i've always stusk to good old tap water, with some dechlorinator in.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[Puffdaddy]

Here is some of my suggestions on how you should go about starting your new adventure in fish keeping.

First get everything you are going to need, here is a list.
filter
heater (just about any will do 150w or more)
thermometer
substrate (gravel)
decor
dechloronater (Seachem's Prime is good)
test kit (API makes a good kit w/ ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and Ph tests)
pure ammonia (grocery store will have some or hardware store)
lighting system
air pump (optional but recomended)

Second wash everything really good then add to the tank (set it up the way you want it). It's always a good idea to add some water first then fill all the way after you have everthing in order. Add the dechloronator when filling the tank

Third start the filter and begin your fishless cycle. Everything you need to know about fishless cycling is explained in the pinned topic area. Don't be affraid to ask specific Q's.

Fourth while you are do your fishless cycle, take the time to research all the fish you have listed, narrow it down to the one you want the most then build the rest of your stock list around that fish. Remember not to go over board and plan on getting a ton of fish, you can very easily overstock a tank. Base all your fish sizes on full grown adults.

This should get you started for the first few weeks.

P.S. The more questions you ask the more you will learn.

 

[-germ-]

Dechlor is used during a fishless cycle, isn't it....
(never done a fishless)
If so use tapsafe or similar, Prime IMO is the best dechlor going but it could prove a pain if used during a fishless cycle.
Get some by all means but save it until the cycle is complete.
Not being difficult, think P.Daddy missed that point out.
Good luck

 

[Behold]

Thanks Guys i have read up on cycle and other items in the beginners area. Im impressed well writen articles.

I was gonna ask about an air pump. i thought a filter system will also airate the water (Especialy with a spray bar) is there alternative ways?

I now understand a fishless cycle so i guess i should make sure im near ready to buy a few fish near the time im running my cycle otherwise i will need to continually add ammonia?

My tank is only 38cm high but 1 metre long would this still be fair for a pair of angel fish?

I need to add lighting and from looks of my lid its catered for a tube light. can this be any or is it needing to be specific?

Thanks again

 

[Puffdaddy]

Dechlor is used during a fishless cycle, isn't it....
(never done a fishless)
If so use tapsafe or similar, Prime IMO is the best dechlor going but it could prove a pain if used during a fishless cycle.
Get some by all means but save it until the cycle is complete.
Not being difficult, think P.Daddy missed that point out.
Good luck

Yes I did happen to leave that part out on step 3 assuming that it would be explained in the pinned topic, during the water changes part of the cycle (to remove nitrates).

Even though I believe assumptions, is the mother of all screw ups.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I was gonna ask about an air pump. i thought a filter system will also airate the water (Especialy with a spray bar) is there alternative ways?

As long as there is surface agitation (like from the filter) you don't need an air pump.

 

[Scunny]

Although you can add an air pump for the visual effect if you want