Houston, We Have A Problem!

[lukkbox]

I do, I do! Post pictures of the new wood base...

will post some tomorrow!

i read your do and do not on cycling by the way, very handy! printed it out and keeping it in the cupboard below the tank thanks!

Dan

 

[lukkbox]

pic of tank with new base >

i'm going to order some new bits for the tank as i dont feel the other ones are upto the job

the tank measures 92cm x 40cm x 44cm so am i right in thinking this is about 180 litres?

if so, will the following equipment be suitable?

filter > http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261067247127?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

heater (200w) > http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBMERSIBLE-AQUARIUM-ECO-HEATER-25W-50W-100W-150W-200W-300W-FISH-TANK-THERMOSTAT-/180863877344?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item2a1c53c0e0

air pump > http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-Air-Pump-twin-outlet-2x4lpm-480lph-Adjustable-/250967047898?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3a6ecd3eda

im going to build a moving bed filter aswell and run that off one of the airlines

have i forgotten anything?

thanks for any help

Dan

 

[Salam]

Looking good And safe most importantly.

I typed in your dimensions into the calculator on this site and it says 162 litres, minus substrate and decoration you have about 150-155 litres I'd say.

200 watt heater is good, rule of thumb is 1 watt per litre, so 200 is definitely enough.

Not sure about the filter. It looks like plenty, but I'd go for some trusted brand names instead. Don't know how reliable those really cheap ones are. Same goes for the airpump, the cheap ones can be very loud and it will drive you bonkers.

 

[lukkbox]

Looking good And safe most importantly.

I typed in your dimensions into the calculator on this site and it says 162 litres, minus substrate and decoration you have about 150-155 litres I'd say.

200 watt heater is good, rule of thumb is 1 watt per litre, so 200 is definitely enough.

Not sure about the filter. It looks like plenty, but I'd go for some trusted brand names instead. Don't know how reliable those really cheap ones are. Same goes for the airpump, the cheap ones can be very loud and it will drive you bonkers.

Cheers Salam!

My friend recommended one of them filters, he has been running for 4 years + with no problems, and lets face it, the brand name ones all come from the same factory in china lol

I think the only difference between airpumps is the level of noise dampening they build into it, and if it's noisy it would annoy me, but i have a brand name one here already that is very noisy, but i cured that with some underlay and a wrap of foam its just a shame it doesnt have a very high output or i would use it, so if that one is noisy aswell will dampen it myself, i don't have hundreds of pounds for this project so will have to 'make do' for now but i do appreciate your input, i just don't have the funds to buy the branded stuff right now

gonna give the tank a good scrub with some vinegar now

Dan

 

[Gvilleguy]

Nicely done - table looks like it was always that way.

 

[lukkbox]

Nicely done - table looks like it was always that way.

Thanks GV!

I added a little water to the tank to check it for leaks etc today and i noticed the water was slightly higher on one side than the other, i checked it with a spirit level and although it is pretty level, within the lines, it is not perfect, does that matter much? do i need to wedge something under the stand on one side till it's perfect?

im also washing the playsand, what a nightmare! lol

 

[Gvilleguy]

Well, I relocated my tank a few months ago and discovered that the floor was not level under the stand. It drove me crazy to see the uneven water level at the top! I finally wedged a piece of wood trim under one side of the stand and it leveled it right up.

 

[lukkbox]

Well, I relocated my tank a few months ago and discovered that the floor was not level under the stand. It drove me crazy to see the uneven water level at the top! I finally wedged a piece of wood trim under one side of the stand and it leveled it right up.

think im going to have to do the same, i'm a bit OCD about stuff like that hehe

 

[lukkbox]

ok so its now level, i washed the sand as best i could and put that in, think i might need some more, how much is enough? 1 inch? 2 inches?

im not putting any filter or anything in while there is all that sand flying round in there, i just put some tapsafe in so far

as you can see its very murky in there, im guessing that will settle down in a day or so? or do i need to do an almost complete water change tonight/tomorrow?

whats my plan from here guys n gals?

Dan

Murky tank >

 

[angel308]

Hi Luk,

How's it going? How's you tank doing?

 

[Gvilleguy]

Dan,

Nice sand storm! I have never actually used sand (but setting up a Q tank with sand soon). But I think, yes, you just need to let it settle out now.

 

[lukkbox]

Hi Luk,

How's it going? How's you tank doing?

Hiya Angel

Really good so far, getting great help on here and my friends are helping me with seeding material etc so im hoping to have this cycled and fully operational for the kids fairly soon

i was so surprised when i filled it up and it didn't leak! hahaha (i did have plenty of towels at the ready, #40## pessimist lol)

Dan

 

[lukkbox]

Dan,

Nice sand storm! I have never actually used sand (but setting up a Q tank with sand soon). But I think, yes, you just need to let it settle out now.

hehe thanks GV!

i'll have a look at it in the morning i think and if it hasn't settled i'll take the water down as far as i can with the syphon and refill it with fresh and add more tapsafe, hopefully that will clear things up, i also think i need more sand (gasp!) how deep should it be do you think? i'll google it lol

 

[Gvilleguy]

I have no idea on how deep the sand should be. I was going to do one inch or so in the new Q tank. It's only 6.6 gallons.

 

[lukkbox]

I have no idea on how deep the sand should be. I was going to do one inch or so in the new Q tank. It's only 6.6 gallons.

i googlised it and apparently you want about 5cm (2inches) of sand ideally

only problem is, it's so murky i have no idea how much is in there at the mo lol