My Fish Tank - What Next

[matchstickgeezer]

Hi all

I have just set up my first tank since moving away from my parents.. it is 36" x 18" x 12" in size and currently has 3 live plants, 2 plastic plants, some nice looking colourful stones and two dark stones setup as a mini-cave.

My fish are listed in my signature.

Does this tank look okay to you?? My old tank at home had bogwood in but I decided on something different this time.

Would it be suitable to breed numerous livebearers, and also.... what about breeding plecos and corys in the long run. (Not too many of course, I just like them to breed as it shows they are happy... i always used to give my fry away to relatives and friends.

Anyway... here is my tank..... any advice, help, suggestions, etc would be very much welcomed.

 

[fishluvr93]

an aerator?,
tall plants?

good luck

 

[matchstickgeezer]

an aerator?,
tall plants?

good luck

What is an aerator?? I have a filter, heater etc already in place.

The plants I have in were the tallest I could find as the tank is 18inces high.. im hoping they will grow a little bit taller over time.

 

[PaulEbs]

Tank looks good, nicely done.

Although you could always turn it into a planted tank, with big bits of bogwood and huge amazon swords plus carpeting plants of some sort - like riccia, or java moss.

Low-tech planted tanks are cheap and satisfying - the planted board on this forum is the only place you'd need to go 4 info.

But fo course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if it looks good for you, and the fish are happy, then surely it's a winner?

To be honest though I change the formation of the rocks in my 40 gallon so many times I don't think I'll ever be satisfied.

Paul.

an aerator?,
tall plants?

good luck

What is an aerator?? I have a filter, heater etc already in place.

The plants I have in were the tallest I could find as the tank is 18inces high.. im hoping they will grow a little bit taller over time.

I think what is meant by an aerator is a bubble stream, air pump etc. They don't actually increase the oxygen in the water but can look good on some set-ups.

Although I think disturbing the water surface [i.e. using an 'aerator'] causes Co2 to escape from the water - which wouldn't be any good if you planned on turning it into a planted tank.

 

[matchstickgeezer]

Tank looks good, nicely done.

Although you could always turn it into a planted tank, with big bits of bogwood and huge amazon swords plus carpeting plants of some sort - like riccia, or java moss.

Low-tech planted tanks are cheap and satisfying - the planted board on this forum is the only place you'd need to go 4 info.

But fo course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if it looks good for you, and the fish are happy, then surely it's a winner?

To be honest though I change the formation of the rocks in my 40 gallon so many times I don't think I'll ever be satisfied.

Paul.

an aerator?,
tall plants?

good luck

What is an aerator?? I have a filter, heater etc already in place.

The plants I have in were the tallest I could find as the tank is 18inces high.. im hoping they will grow a little bit taller over time.

I think what is meant by an aerator is a bubble stream, air pump etc. They don't actually increase the oxygen in the water but can look good on some set-ups.

Although I think disturbing the water surface [i.e. using an 'aerator'] causes Co2 to escape from the water - which wouldn't be any good if you planned on turning it into a planted tank.

I would really like a planted tank but am unsure if it would work with the gravel??

Do you buy the moss/grasses small and they spread over time?? Also, Im a bit late for bogwood now which is a real shame as some of the planted tanks in that forum look amazing. I suppose I could add some small bogwood pieces.

Thank You

 

[matchstickgeezer]

I will also be looking to keep 2 small plecs... is there anything I could add to the tank to make it more comfortable for them?? I have a small cave and a few planted areas already as you can see??? Some people seem to put piping in also???

Tank looks good, nicely done.

Although you could always turn it into a planted tank, with big bits of bogwood and huge amazon swords plus carpeting plants of some sort - like riccia, or java moss.

Low-tech planted tanks are cheap and satisfying - the planted board on this forum is the only place you'd need to go 4 info.

But fo course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if it looks good for you, and the fish are happy, then surely it's a winner?

To be honest though I change the formation of the rocks in my 40 gallon so many times I don't think I'll ever be satisfied.

Paul.

an aerator?,
tall plants?

good luck

What is an aerator?? I have a filter, heater etc already in place.

The plants I have in were the tallest I could find as the tank is 18inces high.. im hoping they will grow a little bit taller over time.

I think what is meant by an aerator is a bubble stream, air pump etc. They don't actually increase the oxygen in the water but can look good on some set-ups.

Although I think disturbing the water surface [i.e. using an 'aerator'] causes Co2 to escape from the water - which wouldn't be any good if you planned on turning it into a planted tank.

I would really like a planted tank but am unsure if it would work with the gravel??

Do you buy the moss/grasses small and they spread over time?? Also, Im a bit late for bogwood now which is a real shame as some of the planted tanks in that forum look amazing. I suppose I could add some small bogwood pieces.

Thank You

 

[dwarfgourami]

If you want to breed plecs, bristlenoses are a good point of departure. A cave big enough for them both to get into, and some bogwood to aid digestion will keep them happy.

 

[ant0]

Most of the plants i've bought have been happy in 100% gravel with a bit of fertiliser. Those that have died were no good to start with TBH, so i say go for it. Some large plants at the back for refuge and some moss/grass like plants at the front

 

[matchstickgeezer]

Sounds good to me!

 

[catfish_mad]

Nice tank mate but i would change the gravel to sand not only does it look better it is also easier to clean.
But Good Job

 

[matchstickgeezer]

Thanks

I am thinking of having a sand filled 2nd tank after seeing some great ones on here