Planting A Tank Whilst Fishless Cycling?

[Byron]

I'm not much of a handyman, though I did manage to repair my 5-foot fixture.  But from the photos I would think you could find a good LED to fit, or a single T8 tube fixture.  With LED, just make sure you get a good plant LED that has a colour temp between 5000K and 7000K.

 

[TallTree01]

I'm not much of a DIYer, so I'll leave the light query to those more experienced.

To stop the up-sucking of fish into the filter, he found the reason they were going there is because it was the place they felt the most secure, they just couldn't get out easily. To combat the issue he just didn't attach the filter to the glass, he chucked out the bracket and just had the filter sitting on the sand.

 

[L2wis]

The LED lighting looks quite expensive so that might be something I upgrade to at a later date when I've established the tank.

Good idea regarding taking the tank off the bracket, if I get the same issue I'll use that plan too.

I think the next job for me is to source the right tube for my tank and a fitting/fixing kit. I've no idea how what the tube plugs into at the moment haha.

 

[fluttermoth]

That hood is the same as mine

 
You need a starter unit, like this; 
 

 
That sits in the hinged section at the back. The caps, which fit onto the ends of your tube, pass through the large square holes at the ends of the hood. The tube is held in place by little plastic clips, that attach to the hood through the small round holes with a little plastic nut and bolt. You usually get the clips with the starter unit, but if not they're very cheap.
 
Here's mine; with and without the tube in place;
 

 


Hope that helps!

 

[L2wis]

Thanks fluttermoth! That really does help! Something to add to the shopping list .
 
@Byron, What Watt tube would you recommend? I'm not sure i've got room for two tubes so if it means going for a T5 tube (slightly more powerful?) I can do.

 

[Byron]

Thanks fluttermoth! That really does help! Something to add to the shopping list

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@Byron, What Watt tube would you recommend? I'm not sure i've got room for two tubes so if it means going for a T5 tube (slightly more powerful?) I can do.

 
First we need to know what type of fluorescent this unit takes.  Fluttermoth, is this a T8?  From what I can find online, T8 seems to be the type.  If so, the prongs at the ends of a T8 would not be different, so presumably any tube would fit, correct?
 
Subject to Fluttermoth's info, for a 30-inch length tank of 90 litres/23 gallons with one T8 tube, I would suggest either a ZooMed UltraSun 6500K or a Hagen Life-Glo 6700K tube.  Both of these are stronger intensity than cheaper tubes, but should provide decent moderate light.  With a 30-inch tank, the tube that would be the longest might be a 30-inch or if not this then the 24-inch.  Fluttermoth may be able to tell us about this aspect too, as I've no idea how much space the unit takes.
 
My 29g tank is 30 inches in length, and the basic hood holds one 24-inch T8 tube, and with the Life-Glo I had good plant growth.  The higher-light requiring plants won't make it, but you still have a lot of choice, as the photo below of this tank shows.
 
Byron.

 

[L2wis]

Thanks Byron for the bulb recommendation! I measured the space in the hood where the bulb would go and I think it would probably be too tight for a 30" tube so best going with a 24" like you mentioned you used.

Got all the limescale off the sides of the tank last night (using vinegar) and the glass is looking great. Hose pipe is on the way and I got a tap adapter thing yesterday for my kitchen tap.

Getting there peice at a time! Really appreciate the advice from everyone!

Byron, I'll start exploring plants that I like which don't demand high light.

 

[L2wis]

I've ordered most of my required equipment now! Last thing to order is the filter which at the moment I've found cheapest here: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUVAL-U2-U-2-INTERNAL-POWER-FILTER-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-FILTERS-FILTRATION-MEDIA-/150381872192
 
This was my shopping list:

• Life GLO 2 20W T8 Fluorescent Light Bulb Tube 61cm 24\"
• Easy-Life ProFito 250ml
• Tetratec Aquarium Heater 100 Watt
• Hagen GLO 20W T8 Single Lighting Controller Starter Unit
• Aqua Vital Aquarium Net 4\" Fine
• Fluval Edge Digital Thermometer
• Fluval U2 Foam

 

[L2wis]

I installed my lighting into my tank last night, looks great!
 
Next job is to clear the tank out and get some substrate in there!

 

[Byron]

That looks super.  Problem solved.

 

[L2wis]

Thanks, I had to drill an additional hole for the bulb mounts, I attached them with a block of wood behind them.
 
Heading to the local aquatics shop tomorrow to check out their choice of substrates, tempted to go down the play sand route but if it's not an awful lot more for some fancier stuff I might go with that.
 
Going to look for some nice feature stuff too (rocks and wood).
 
Filter should be arriving on Monday!

 

[Byron]

Not knowing your level of experience, I'll just offer some suggestions on substrate.  I have used pea gravel, fine gravel, play sand, and plant enriched substrates over the 20+ years in this hobby.
 
First, avoid white.  This is not natural and it does impact on fish.  I also find it hard to view white-substrate tanks because of the glare; imagine what this does to fish.  As for other colours/tones, something "natural" will probably provide more satisfaction long-term.  Many use black, and I have once, but I found it was more dull grey than black under the lighting (any substrate when wet and lighted will be different than when dry) and every speck of stuff was very visible.  I never see this (except for larger bits of plant leaf or something) with mixed tone sand or gravel.
 
Second, consider intended fish.  If substrate fish like corys or loaches are likely, sand is by far your best substrate.  Substrate feeding fish like many of the small to medium-sized cichlids also will be better as they can naturally sift the sand more easily than gravel.  With fish that really dig, sand can be more of a nuisance than gravel. Whatever material, make sure it is smooth, meaning not sharp or rough.  I had significant damage occur to some corys due to a rough substrate though in my hand I had thought it was OK.  Play sand is fine for this, but paver or blasting sand is usually too rough by comparison.
 
Plants will grow well in sand or fine gravel; some do have more difficulty in larger pea gravel.  A finer material (like sand and fine gravel) is also better for the bacteria/organics aspect of a healthy substrate.
 
I used fine gravel for years, then switched all but one of my tanks over to play sand 2-3 years ago and wish I'd done it sooner.  One tank had pea gravel, it now has fine gravel which suites the aquascape better as this is a river habitat with river rock boulders and chunks of wood.
 
Byron.

 

[L2wis]

Thanks for your reply Byron! This is my first tank so this is all brand new to me.

Regarding fish species at the moment I'm thinking only tiger barbs for the tank! Do you have a rough idea how many we could keep in my 90 litres tank when they're fully grown?

The other option I quite like it only tetras! Again not sure how many I could keep of them? I think only tiger barbs is probably what I'll go for, love the look of them!

Im still leaning towards play sand as substrate choice and your reply earlier strengthens that, I guess the question is whether tigers or tetras would be okay with sand.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Im still leaning towards play sand as substrate choice and your reply earlier strengthens that, I guess the question is whether tigers or tetras would be okay with sand.

 
Most non bottom dweller fish don't really care about what substrate you use, whether it be gravel, sand or nothing at all, so the choice is yours really.
 
The exception for substrate would be for bottom dwellers like cories, plecos / bn  and loaches as larger sharp gravel can damage their barbels and makes it difficult to shift for foraging.
 
Sand, by far, is the better substrate for these bottom dweller fish but small fine smooth gravel is also acceptable.

 

[L2wis]

Cool thanks for the info Charlie!