My First Tank - Need Some Advice

[FlyingFish]

Hi there - any comments welcome.

Had my tank for about 2/3 weeks and my fish for a week. Have 4 Black widow Tetras and they seem to be doing fine. Mostly they'll go round all together and sometimes on their own. I also have some Cabomba [1] i think, and some 2 other types plants, on right [2] [3] and back-right which is the same as [2] but I'm not sure what they are - so any help on that will help too.

My question is about the way I have it set up. I know most people will put Cabomba at the back, but I have place some at the back and middle to create a kind of "cave" of plants to provide some cover, as I have heard that Tetra's like cover and plenty of space to swim. But am wondering if this is OK, and if the set up in general looks right. Both design wise and for the fish. More pics below.

Also the Cabomba seems to grow at about 3/4 of an inch a day. I started the same size as the 'rock' on the left and in a week had reached the top. I trimed it the best I knew how as I couldn't find a definative guide on how to, just by pinching the stem with my fingures - any advice?

If anyone has an ideas on a direction I should go from here, next fish, plants etc, than that would be great too.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Luke_e]

If you're wanting help about plants etc, you'll get answers on that quicker if you post it here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=10
As for what fish to add next, have you thought about adding maybe another tetra shoal?

 

[FlyingFish]

If you're wanting help about plants etc, you'll get answers on that quicker if you post it here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=10
As for what fish to add next, have you thought about adding maybe another tetra shoal?

yeah thought about another shoal, maybe get another 2 black widows and 4 cardinals but heard that they can die off in new tanks.

Also I've just notised a 'film' on top of the water - is this due to the oils from the food?

 

[WayneVT08]

It looks like a good setup.

 

[Luke_e]

Cardinals are best kept for mature tanks, but if you keep an eye on water parameters they can be fine.

As for the film ontop of the water, not sure what that could be, can it be 'peeled away' or is it 'liquidy' (sorry i am bad at desribing things lol).

 

[FlyingFish]

It looks like a good setup.

Thanks!!

Any advice?

Cardinals are best kept for mature tanks, but if you keep an eye on water parameters they can be fine.

As for the film ontop of the water, not sure what that could be, can it be 'peeled away' or is it 'liquidy' (sorry i am bad at desribing things lol).

It's quite 'liquidy'. If you break up the surface water a little, some will go into the filter and the rest will re-form. Some site/posts say it due to oil in the food and not to worry. think you can see it in one of the pics.

 

[Luke_e]

What advise are you looking for, if you can be a slight bit more specific it would help people help you..
E.g. Stocking, plants, layout etc.. .
EDIT: And yea i can see the film in one of the pics, should go after a while.

 

[FlyingFish]

What advise are you looking for, if you can be a slight bit more specific it would help people help you..
E.g. Stocking, plants, layout etc.. .
EDIT: And yea i can see the film in one of the pics, should go after a while.

Sorry - Any advice really.
What Fish I should go for next - compatible with Tetras
Plants that would go well
If I should get Co2
If I should get more aeration
Advice for the 'scum'(?)
Layout/Design ideas on exitisting and improvements

Even though it's a comunity tank, I would like to get a betta eventualy or a Japenese fighting fish, some people say they'll be fine, some get their phone out to have me commited!!

 

[Luke_e]

Fish - Well, any community labled fish are you're LFS (local fish shop) should be fine, but make sure you research (like you are so thumbs up to you), as even though some fish are community fish, they grow quite large, and the rekord 70 is a nice size tank to start with but it would be quite easy to add to many fish to quickly and over stock it. I'd personally suggest a shoal of danios, such as Zebra danios. They are very active and fun to watch. Also a shoal of Corys are a nice addition.

Plants - I'm still learning, but if you go to http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_cat.php?category=2 it gives you a list of plants and you can choose easy, mediume etc and lighting needs, its a useful website.

As for Co2, read the stickys in the planted forum, very helpful.

Aeration - if you fish seem to be gasping for air, then you dont have enough surface water aggitation (this is how oxygen is transfered from the air, into the water). If they seem to be swimming around without rappid breathing you're aeration should be fine. A lot of people believe you need an air stone to add 'air' to the water but this isnt needed, and is only put it for making it look good..

Scum - You could try removing it with a net, or add an air stone to try and clear it. It should eventually go after a while..

Layout - I think you're layout is very nice, i love how the plant is coming out of the rock structure. If you're not happy with it, just move things around to you're liking.

Betta - I wouldnt risk it mate, some people get away with it, but it can be disasterous for the other fish and for the betta (as their fins can be nipped). If you really want one, i'd buy another tank to have one in.

Hope this has helped you a bit.

 

[FlyingFish]

Fish - Well, any community labled fish are you're LFS (local fish shop) should be fine, but make sure you research (like you are so thumbs up to you), as even though some fish are community fish, they grow quite large, and the rekord 70 is a nice size tank to start with but it would be quite easily to add to many fish to quickly and over stocking it. I'd personally suggest a shoal of danios, such as Zebra danios. They are very active and fun to watch. .............

Thanks for that mate! Lot's to be thinking about!

The fish seem quite happy, if its possible to tell. There not breathing loads so guess aeration is ok. Think I was just being a bit paranoid really - first tank and all.
Glad you like the setup, gonna get some more plants soon and maybe try to do a planeted moss bed, think they look pretty cool. Should I remove my fish when planting or just be careful as long as I'm not planting a lot at one time?

 

[Luke_e]

You're bound to be paranoid, i know i was so its to be expected .
When you're planting, no need to remove the fish, as you said just becareful, but the fish will probably go to the otherside of the tank so you wont bother them much.

 

[FlyingFish]

Thanks for your help Luke. Good to know I'm not alone with this.

Any other comments on my layout or next purchase' would be great!

 

[Luke_e]

You're welcome mate, glad i can help. Hopefully wont be too long until you're helping people who are in you're situation now..

Do you have a water test kit? Did you do a fishless cycle or did you put the fish in and do water changes to keep the water parameters in check?

 

[FlyingFish]

You're welcome mate, glad i can help. Hopefully wont be too long until you're helping people who are in you're situation now..

Do you have a water test kit? Did you do a fishless cycle or did you put the fish in and do water changes to keep the water parameters in check?

Did a fishless cycle of about 2 weeks just adding food - this is what one shop told me. When passing another I popped in told them about my setup and was then told that I should get 4 tetras as these are hardy fish and this will aid the process. I had heard this else where so decided to go ahead and get 4 with some plants too. Had them a week and am due to do a 25% change today. Is this OK? - any advice on the water change would help as I'm a bit nervous.

Have a test kit and have been testing very 3/4 days or so and levels are fine.

 

[Sheridanp]

A 25% water change weekly is good. I can recall someone saying, "It's like opening a window of fresh air to your fish". So yeah, go for it.