Hello - First Post

[Strangerover]

Hi all...

The internet never ceases to amaze me... there are forums for everything...

I guess this is where I say Hi my name is Mark and I have a fish tank !!

History - Years ago... (15-20 years) I had a 3ft tank... undergravle filter, tropical fresh water set up... simple lights and it all worked lovely..

Anyway... no fish for years...

just bought a 2nd hand tank from flea bay....

48" bow fronted acrylic jobbie...

now I'm sure I'm going to have lots of questions as the whole idea of keeping fish seems to be way more technical than it used to be....

e.g. now told undergravel filter no good and I need a seperate cannister thingy under the cabinet ??

I have a Fluval U40 filetr, and a trickle filter under the hood.. (I have used normal washing up sponges as the medium in it)
a 40w 5500k light unit...

here is a pic of it..

and the trickle filter

I have put pond compost under the gravel....

filled it with water turned it all on....

and the water is slowly clearing...

So what next

I have been reading about "cycling" and guess I need some good bacteria in the tank ?

how long should I wait before adding fish ?

Will the single light do for basic plants ?

all advice welcome while I trawl around this resource......

 

[Alliecat420]

so far looks good! this hang on the back/trickle filter should work.. undergravle filters just dont clean the water like a good old power filter.. cycling.. yes.. well your going to need to feed your filter.. either purchase pure ammonia.. or do what i do and feed it fish food to establish bacteria.. feed it just a pinch daily for about a month up to 6 weeks.. testing the water is reccomended but not required.. you can get a gerneral idea from the looks and smell of the water.. i usually test ammonia readings after about a month and if it's clear i say im cycled.. some people will disagree but it's a hobby.. you do as you do.. and if it all works out.. you must have done it right... you can add fish slowly once your ammonia is clear and your water is also clear

 

[BigFairy]

hi.. i had a 3" for years and just recently upgraded to a 5" tank ... i ,love it..


i'll post pics soon

 

[oswoldy]

Nice looking tank.

Mike

 

[Strangerover]

Well I ditched the trickle filter... evaporation was way too much !!

But for some reason I was not convinced the U40 filter on its own would be enough (even though the box says it is)

So I have added a Fluvan 305 cannister......

Water is nearly clear now has a very very slight haze about it....

 

[Forestpisces]

Hey! nice looking tank. Yes you will deffinately need to fishless cycle so have a good read of the pinned topic. Dont be put off by the time it takes to cycle, use the time to research what type of fish you want in there . Did you have anything in mind?

 

[Strangerover]

Fish...

yes....

a few Platties, maybe a few guppies...
Some Glowlight Danio's, Neon Tetra...
Some small catfish and some shrimp....

Still my gut feeling is start with 4-5 danios...

...........and my water is now clear !

 

[AdAndrews]

welcome, thats a nice tank you have there