My new tank (with pics)

[Helium_Junkie]

Hi all, we have added the final decoration and the first few plants to our tank, and introduced the first fish. I thought I'd share

The tank:
Fluval 1200 duo, 120*40cm 38UK gal

Out of the box thats how it looked.

We let it settle for a week, adding decorations.

Such as this Bell with airstone inside, a cannon and some rocks

Left to right: Bell, rocks, boat, castle (with sandfall)

Close up no the boat, we piled slate under the front, I like the effect of a crashed ship.

And then we added the fish. Here they come out to pose

Now I know tertas aint the best cycling fish, but we're keeping on top of water tests and looking after them, the Ammonia hasn't exceeded 0.2, nitrites are low as are nitrates.
Our LFS did not have any Danios as were suggested and I had been told to try these by others, so I have.

All in all I am happy with the tank, needs more plants but I need more money first!

So, now its your turn to flame about me not going fishless (I searched everywhere for Ammonia) and to point out any bad things im doing. Please be gentle!

 

[myfrint]

Looks good so far.

Well, i did fishless cycle with my 10 U.S. gal tank and it took like a month to finish thta.

It took damn long, but i think it was worth doing it.

After the cycle was finished, i added 3 peppered corys and 4 cardinal tetras. However, all cardinals died next day without any reason. (my water was fine.) The LFS thought they were too weak.

Anyway, i went back to the LFS and got 4 black neons for the dead cardinals, and right now, i have all of my fish doing fine in my tank.

Soon, i'm gonna add more neons or otos.

Well, if your neons survive for your fish cycle, they must be hardy. lol.

If they die, just in case, i would recommend you trying fishless cycle. It will establish a stable home for your fish.

Anyway, good luck with your tank.

 

[Grams]

thats awsome looking what fish are going in thier

 

[SirMinion]

How much did that tank cost you Helium?

We very nearly bought the exact same tank or the next size down (duo 1000) before settling for the Jewel Rio 180 we bought for £199 including stand.

The cheapest we could find the Duo 1000 was at Pets at Home for £229 including stand.

 

[FishAddiction]

very nice tank Helium_Junkie im so jealous, i want one that big! lol

 

[Helium_Junkie]

If they die, just in case, i would recommend you trying fishless cycle. It will establish a stable home for your fish.

Note where I state the severe lack of Ammonia in my previous post
Seriously, I tried everywhere, no chance of fishless cycling for me.

The tank I looked up on the internet and it was an obscene amount just for the tank at every place I looked.
I got the tank, with stand and about £50 of extras for the same price as the tank alone online( ) From Pets at Home in Eastbourne.

I was about to buy the 1000 when I saw this Could NOT resist.

As for stocking, I've been recommended nearly 200cm of fish in this tank, taking it nice and slow of course. I plan on having this tank long term, and maybe more in the future, but for the first mix of fish I have been considering:

Neon Tetra
Bloodfin Tetra
Black Phantom Tetra
Red Wagtail Platy
Black Molly
Guppy
Cory Catfish
Oto
Glass Catfish

As basic stock, I would love suggestions or comments

The tank needs much more in the way of live plants, and I don't seem to have enough gravel to plant them so I'll be needing more of that too

Also I stirred up a lot of crap when adding those latest decorations, the waters a little cloudy so I need one of those things which coagulates fine particles. Gonna look for em later

 

[Joviella]

Your tank is looking great. Don't beat yourself up about not doing a fishless cycle. Living in the uk, it is extremely difficult to get ammonia. I have never fishless cycled for this same reason and never lost any of the danios I used. They live quite happily at my aunts house in the tank that we gave her. It's fun starting up a tank.......so enjoy it.

 

[clutterydrawer]

That looks great wish I had that size tank...*drools everywhere*

 

[Helium_Junkie]

hehe, thanks for all the nice comments
The only problem is that I wasn't allowed to keep it at my house (My mum hates fish ) So its kept at my girlfriends house, but its not really a problem since she is home during the day more than me!

This baby has cost me a bomb so far, but by heck is it worth it!
I am so glad I went for this and not the 100cm one! The 20cm is well worth an extra £40

May have to get another one

 

[Joviella]

lol......someone else has caught the bug...........mts....multiple tank syndrome.....

 

[Helium_Junkie]

lol......someone else has caught the bug...........mts....multiple tank syndrome.....

hehe, yep that bugs been well and truly caught!

I want a small quarantine tank next, once this is cycled up I will run a small filter in there and then start off a new tank with that.
How long should leave a second filter in before its ready for use? Is it enough to be just running alongside the main filter?

 

[Blusypder]

is it really hard to take care of a tank that big? i have a 100 gal(U.S.) that im looking at starting.

 

[piscean]

nice tank