Hello, Oh No, Another Newbie...

[MineralMe]

Hi All,

Mmmm, my first post here. Hi all. I'm new to this but have promised myself I will have fish in my tank by Christmas - so lots to learn. Was hoping for a kickstart though with some advice, ideas and help please...

Had marines for donkeys and have recently shut down my tank and want to move to freshwater. Kept oscars and many many years ago but things have moved on since then.... For starters I am really after some ideas for stock - what sort of fish you would recommend - after a community tank with a few plants really... Currently have a sandy bottom (substrate) and will be filtered via a staged planted tank (no plants, just media) and a return (or 2 OR6500s). Do you think I would need extra flow in the tank? And if so, what is the norm - am afraid a powerhead would hurt the fish..? The display tank is 8 x 3 x 3 and was just going to have a few T5's over the top...

Does my plan seem ok for now? Really just want to get it up and running and then cycled - hence the questions about flow and stocking. I am thinking smaller shoals of fish really as opposed to one or 2 large ones.... any advice and suggestions welcome...

Thanks in advance

 

[colleen0309]

Good afternoon and welcome to the forum! I'm not sure on your filtration and water flow. I don't have those filters, so I really can't comment on them. You seem like you know what you want and how to get there, so that's a plus. 8x3x3, I'm jealous! I wish I could have a tank that big! My biggest is 4x2x2 and I thought that was huge! Read up on cycling and get it going, if you want it up and running with fish for Christmas. The beginner's resourse center on this forum has alot of great information. Good Luck!

 

[snake007]

Once cycled I would got a large shoal of danios as they will love that size tank.

 

[DrRob]

OK, wow, that's 13000lph. Mind you, that's a big tank. Usual advice is 4-5 times turn over of tank volume per hour, more for heavily planted or high waste feeders. You've got about 2000 litres in your display. Not sure how big your staged tank is going to be, or how much your media will slow down your flow. So I'm not sure if you'll want more flow. I'm guessing you already own the tanks, which is why you're not going for things like batteries of big external filters.

In a tank that size a powerhead won't bother them. Koralia make nice ones that the marine users use a lot.

How are you heating this monster?

I think everyone has their favourites, pick something you like and theme around it. I'd probably, for schoaling community fish, go for harlequins.

edit: oh, and hi, you managed to distract me from actually welcoming you.

 

[MineralMe]

Thank you to everyone for the welcome and advise and suggestions...

Decided the more energy efficient way was to go with a 'sump' like setup instead of a bank of canister filters as my leccy bill took a beating when I was into marines so am looking at my setup slightly differently - if you know what I mean.. Actually did a full wet test this weekend with the plumbing changes I made and all seems to be fine. Was also doing some research into filter media and was wondering what the general thoughts were on using pond type media - Seeing I need such volume it seems logical to go down the pond filtration route - what are your thoughts?

Oh yes, and can I have a planted/plants in the tank without any specific substrate? I have reusing my sand base and was just going to use fertilizer - will its work? And would I need CO2?

Thanks all once again

Cheers

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Welcome to the forum. I would love to give advice, but i wouldn't know what to say about a tank that big! My largest is 75! All I can say is, start a log and keep us informed with pictures pictures pictures!!!

 

[DrRob]

With a sump on an 8x3x3 and a couple of T5's for lighting you'll struggle to get any sensible level of CO2. The sump will gas out half of what you add and you'll need huge cylinders to not be changing things all the time. With the lighting that low the CO2 would probably just encourage algae.

You can grow quite a few plants in low tech set ups with some fert dosing. 3ft deep could end up being your problem, with light penetration from the T5's not getting that deep. Plenty of low tech plants that could work well though.

Sand will be fine.

 

[Gidge]

Welcome!

That's one monster of a tank, I'm jealous! I personally would think a nice big school of Rummynose would look amazing!
Can't wait to see pictures

 

[ZoddyZod]

as said above, planted would be a real challenge in a tank that size combined with a sump.

I would look at doing either of these:

1 - a South American cichlid based tank with lots of tangled wood/roots as the hardscape. You could have some very nice large cichlids in there. You've had Oscars, but there are plenty others you could try - maybe some of big Central American cichlids instead.

2 - an African Cichlid tank with a hardscape of lots of rock. You could go mad with the stocking and have an incredibly active and colourful display.

.....have a look in the jounral section of each sub-forum. These might give you a few ideas.

 

[nicky b]

 

[MineralMe]

Hi All,

Thanks everyone for more advice and suggestions. I have decided not to go down the cichlid route but rather a community tank of small shoals mainly. Not bought the stock yet but at least the tank is up and running now - cycling so to speak.... Its pretty minimalistic at the mo - just some wood and some big pebbles. Going to give some plants a try and see what happens (fert and T5's so fingers crossed). Filter systems still work in progress and am trying something different - wont let the cat out the bag just yet in case it fails - but if I have success I will let you all know...

Oh, and can someone please point me in the direction of how to upload a pic in a post - it says enter url - huh?

Thanks

Cheers

PS: Thanks for the info below...

Attempted first pic...

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Upload your pictures to photobucket, or another free pic hosting site, and post the URLS from their, then you are not limited to picture size and what not

 

[MineralMe]

Upload your pictures to photobucket, or another free pic hosting site, and post the URLS from their, then you are not limited to picture size and what not

It worked Thank you..

 

[ZoddyZod]

wow, it looks great already! That wood must've cost you quite a lot??

 

[MineralMe]

wow, it looks great already! That wood must've cost you quite a lot??

Managed to get a good deal on 3 pieces - but yeah, it aint cheap - especially considering its just wood.....

Found some baby corys in the sump this morning. Managed to catch 3 and put them in the display. Unfortunately one got eaten as it went in but the other 2 made it safely to the bottom (they were bigger too - about half an inch). Note to self - need to check the bottom of the sump more often. Also tons of molly fry. Thinking of setting up a fry tank in the sump somewhere to keep the little guys safe. Really cool though - didnt expect this so soon..

Will try get some pics up later....