Planning a New Tank Upgrade!

[norbie]

Hiya guys,

Long time no see! (That's good as I haven't had any fishy problems!)

I'm going to get a new tank as an upgrade tomorrow. I'm going up to a 30x15x12.
How big is this in Gallons (UK)?

It's going to take a while to set it up, I suppose I'll need to transfer quite a lot of water across from their existing tank so that it cycles quickly.

I currently have a small filter and a 100W heater - will I need to upgrade both of these? I will need to get a new pump as I have an airstone/air pipe, and my current pump doesn't seem to be strong enough for it - it just comes out at the first part of it.

Any advice ASAP would be great! I'm going to the shop tomorrow morning (GMT)

Thanks!

 

[norbie]

Please reply if you can, I'm off to the shop in a few hours!

 

[daudy_dojo]

cool beans umm thats like 40-50 gallons... lole 40.776 or something.. 41G maybe... yeas this is UK

 

[quintessential]

Try this and see if it helps http/users.bluecarrots.com/dave.mann/pet...in/tankcalc.htm

Quint

 

[daudy_dojo]

SEE ITS 40.776 something (i didnt know the distance from you gravel to the top i guessed saying you have like 2Inches of gravel

 

[norbie]

thats fantastic!

i thought it wouldnt be very big!

what do you suggest i could have in it, with my current fish? (See sig)

 

[norbie]

I get much different results

Tropical Rectangular aquarium Length: 30 Inches Width: 12 Inches Depth: 15 Inches
Distance of light source from gravel: 16 Inches
Surface area: 360 Inches2 Volume: 19.47 UK gallons Weight of water: 194.51 lbs

 

[boxman]

If it's 30L, 15w, 12d and 16" from light source then it works out to be 19.47g(UK) which will give you a guide of 37.5" of fish - NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT GRAVEL - so say about 32-35".

You'll need a bigger thermostat (to stop yours from over working - 150-300w would be perfect, you would be ok with yours if you had to) and you'll need to make sure your filter can handle it.

The better filter you get (canister or some such) that gives you a bit of surface movement you'll be able to add a couple of " more of fish.

Fish, depends what you like you could go for a few more guppies, various tetras, cories, swordtails, otos, rams etc...... Have a look at your LFS, see what there is, see what you like, check out on TFF if it's compatable and how bit they'll grow!

Hope that helps.

 

[norbie]

thanks thats a great post!

i think i'll have to look up a 'canister' filter - i have no idea what one is!

 

[boxman]

I'm a fan of the fluvals.

I have two, a 204 and 404 - I would suggest a 204 for your tank. You can get surface skimmers and spraybars etc.... Excellent and make cleaning easy and it frees up space in your tank as it's external!

See here!!!

You can add extra media in the filter too and it comes with ceramic and carbon.

Don't pay more than £70-75 for it and check out ebay as there are some good deals there (don't get confused with the 203, definately go for the 204 or 304 - 104 won't really be enough for your tank, 404 will be overkill and far too powerful).

 

[norbie]

£70-75!!!!

Sorry, that's out of the question!

There's no way I can afford that, it will just have to be a normal one something like this http/www.hagen.com/uk/aquatic/product.cf...=01001650031001

 

[boxman]

That filter won't be good enough I'm afraid - the 3 or 4 would be fine.

3 = 700ltrs per hour
4 = 1000ltrs per hour

Up to you, I would stick to canister but appreciate budget can be tight, don't go for a 2 though, you WILL regret.

 

[boxman]

On 2nd thought, it may be ok as your tank is 88ltrs - I would go for the plus 3.

 

[norbie]

fair enough then. i can probably handle the plus 3.

theres just no way i can afford a cansiter at that price

what could i do for gravel? any reccomendations?

sand looks gorgeous, but sounds pretty impossible to keep - wouldnt the filter suck it all up?

im leaving in about 10 minutes, so i'll need another speedy reply please! thanks

 

[boxman]

Ok, whole other subject.

Sand you'll have to go for inert sand - silica sand or play sand but it HAS to be inert unless your keeping african cichlids or brackish fish.

Cleaning sand is fine, just don't stir it up, syphon 1" above substrate and it'll get the dirt.

Sand won't clog up your filter if you don't stir it up. Avoid large plecs (obviously you haven't got the room anyway) but they'll stir the sand up.

I have an UGF but regular syphons (bi-weekly) would be fine, probably best to steer clear of an UGF - I know alot of folk don't like them, I don't see the problem myself but don't recommend them.

If you put sand in your tank, clean it in a pair of old tights and put it in the tank before the water. Allow the sand to settle before putting the filter in and on.

Anything else before you go?