Planning a New Tank Upgrade!

[norbie]

sand still sounds a bit dodgy to me. i dont think i want to rush into it, and then not know what im doing with sand.

i think i'll stay safe and get some nice gravel - only reason i didnt really want to do this, is the algae problem im currently having where its wrapping up the gravel and making it horrible and green!

so i need

the tank (obv)
new pump
new fluval plus 3 filter or similar
new gravel
tray for the lid (not getting a hood - too expensive for now)

and then i'll need some tips later on setting it up

 

[boxman]

Sounds good to me, definately need a hood and light sometime, but for now that's fine.

No fish! Well done.

Probably need dechlorinator and stresszyme, that's about it!

 

[norbie]

cool! thanks for your help!

i'm off now.

is it ok to ask for some help later setting up?

you've been great

 

[boxman]

Sure, there are lots of people that can help you better than me but I'm more than happy to help.

 

[CFC]

A 300w heater will boil the fish, in a 19 UK gallon tank a 150w heater is more than enough and a fluval 2plus internal is perfectly adequate for filtration provided the tank is kept in safe stocking levels with small fish. I have a identical sized tank with the exact same equipment and it has been running perfectly for years.

 

[lisavts]

Dimensions 76 x 38 x 30cm/30" x 15" x 12
Surface area 0.29 sq m/3.13 sq ft/450 sq in
Volume 89 l./19 gal.
Probable volume 80 l./18 gal. (after displacement)

 

[CFC]

Surface area is actually only 360 square inches, dimensions are always given as Length x Height x Width unless otherwise stated.

 

[boxman]

Hmm, a 300w won't boil the fish unless you turn the thermostat up!!!!!!!!

Reason why I recommend 300w is

1) They're normally the same price as 150w
2) As they're the same or similar price if it's 300w it doesn't have to work as hard
3) Future proof - bigger tank at some stage doesn't mean a new thermostat.
4) Not much (if any) difference in size)

I appreciate what you said but saying it's going to boil the fish is a bit..... odd.

The guy was asking my opinion and I still maintain a plus 3 would give a few " more of fish, and I also said a plus 2 would be fine (and corrected myself also) but I'd personally go for a 3 (again, future proof).

I understand CFC, you have alot more experience than I do but I don't believe my advice would have cost very little more.

Also, the converter that is pinned on the Tropical Chit Chat here has the measurements in Length, Width, Depth which is where I assume norbie got the same calculations I did!

Hope that clears it up and I don't come off looking too much like an idiot!

 

[CFC]

The trouble with using a heater too large for a tank is that it can raise the temperature very rapidly which can cause oxygen levels to plummet, also in the event of the bi-metalic strip in the thermostat sticking a 300w heater has the ability to take the water temperature up to fatal highs where as a lower wattage heater will hopefully max out out before any fatalities occur. So while using a higher wattage heater may seem more economical it could prove disasterous for your fish. Personally i use two smaller wattage heaters on all my larger sized tanks (30g and up) rather than using a single heater rated for the tank, this way in the event of a heater failure A) the faulty heater isnt powerful enough to over heat the tank or B ) the remaining working heater can prevent the temperature dropping too low.

 

[houndour]

hey, did you already get the filter? I dunno if it's more affordable, but Pets at home sell Fluval 104s for £45. I just got a 104 (for £60 unfortunately ) to replace my fluval trio 2000 and I have the same size tank as you. I would definitely recommend an external one over a internal filter.

 

[zig]

The trouble with using a heater too large for a tank is that it can raise the temperature very rapidly which can cause oxygen levels to plummet, also in the event of the bi-metalic strip in the thermostat sticking a 300w heater has the ability to take the water temperature up to fatal highs where as a lower wattage heater will hopefully max out out before any fatalities occur. So while using a higher wattage heater may seem more economical it could prove disasterous for your fish. Personally i use two smaller wattage heaters on all my larger sized tanks (30g and up) rather than using a single heater rated for the tank, this way in the event of a heater failure A) the faulty heater isnt powerful enough to over heat the tank or B ) the remaining working heater can prevent the temperature dropping too low.

Excellent point, and they do stick, one of the most common problems with heaters.

 

[norbie]

bought the tank

a 200w heater

a fluval 3 plus

elite 802 pump

now how on earth do i get two tanks on one desk and transfer everything across!!!

im only going to use existing tank water if possible as my tap water sucks.

how soon do you think the fish could be transferred across if i'm not using tap water?

also i didnt buy polystyrene for under the tank , and it says i should have got some its only going on a desk, rather than a stand - is this essential?

 

[CFC]

The polystyrene sheet is essentail to prevent any vibrations from outside the tank from causing the glass to crack, it also irons out any minor problems with the tank level so the water doesnt lean to one side.

 

[zig]

I would say the polystyrene is essential also, if you cant find a sheet people also use polystyrene ceiling tiles found in most DIY shops, also use some media from your existing filter and put it in the new filter as this will help to colonise the filter with benifical bacteria faster and speed up your cycle, you can also put any other media from your other tank in the new one bogwood gravel etc this will also help.

 

[norbie]

i cant find much polystyrene

i may have to buy some tiles from the DIY shop like you said, if i cant get any from the LFS.

by filter media, do you mean put the dirty sponge in the new filter?