Setting Up My First "proffesional" Fish Tank. 45 Gallon Show T

[Munroco]

Kuhlis will have the same problem as cories as they sift through the sand to and sometimes partly bury themselves in it.

 

[cooledwhip]

Kuhlis will have the same problem as cories as they sift through the sand to and sometimes partly bury themselves in it.

 
What about a golden dojo loach? 
 
I really need help with my substrate. I need to get moving on this quickly. Should I go the seachem flourite method?
 
How many times do I need to ask that^^

 

[Ninjouzata]

Your dimensions confuse me. By 30 tall 20 wide 18 depth do you mean 30" long, 20" wide, and 18" high or 30" high, 20" long, 18" wide?
 
You really don't need a special substrate for plants, especially if you're doing low tech ones.
So just go with what you think looks nice. I prefer black sand myself.
 
The tank is not big enough for dojo loaches plus they prefer cooler water than the other fish you have planned.
I also agree that rainbows need more swimming room, sorry I'm not sure on the angels although I wouldn't put them in this tank either.

 

[cooledwhip]

Your dimensions confuse me. By 30 tall 20 wide 18 depth do you mean 30" long, 20" wide, and 18" high or 30" high, 20" long, 18" wide?
 
You really don't need a special substrate for plants, especially if you're doing low tech ones.
So just go with what you think looks nice. I prefer black sand myself.
 
The tank is not big enough for dojo loaches plus they prefer cooler water than the other fish you have planned.
I also agree that rainbows need more swimming room, sorry I'm not sure on the angels although I wouldn't put them in this tank either.

Yes the dimensions are the second one you listed. 30 high, 20 long and 18 wide/depth. It's an odd tank
 
Ok it makes sense on the fish. I'm not too worried because worst case scenario I just throw in a bunch of tetras. Stocking can be planned later. As for the substrate, I am thinking of just buying seachem flourite and maybe mixing it with another gravel (not substrate). I will probably do seachem flourite black, and some black sand or black gravel. 
 
Any recommendations on that? I want some stem plants like rotala indica and pearlweed and I know those are a little higher tech so a more nutrient rich substrate is probably needed.
 
Should I layer a small thing of dirt at the bottom as well? I'm considering doing that.

 

[Munroco]

Any substrate that is sharp will have a bad effect on fish that use their barbels for sifting in it for food.
 
A layer of compost or similar under the gravel could work, or root tabs. Light may be a problem due to the height of the tank, and light loving plants may struggle. TBH I'm just guessing but plants with low light requirements may do better.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yes the dimensions are the second one you listed. 30 high, 20 long and 18 wide/depth. It's an odd tank
 
Ok it makes sense on the fish. I'm not too worried because worst case scenario I just throw in a bunch of tetras. Stocking can be planned later. As for the substrate, I am thinking of just buying seachem flourite and maybe mixing it with another gravel (not substrate). I will probably do seachem flourite black, and some black sand or black gravel. 
 
Any recommendations on that? I want some stem plants like rotala indica and pearlweed and I know those are a little higher tech so a more nutrient rich substrate is probably needed.
 
Should I layer a small thing of dirt at the bottom as well? I'm considering doing that.
 

 
I'd rather you did not just throw in a bunch of tetras, please do a little research as to which species of tetras would suit the water most as well as the dimensions on that tank.
 
You only list "pH 6.5-8.5 (On the harder side)" this does not give us much information to go on for recommendations for stocking.
 
6.5 - 8.5 is a huge range for one water supply, would be useful if can get a more accurate pH reading as well as gH and kH values, you can get that information online by looking at the water supply website.
 
Rotala indica, not sure which specie of plant this is however I know that most rotala plants require high light, the same goes for pearlweed which actually is a carpet plant, most carpet plants needs very high light, co2 and ferts for these to thrive, without these it will just grow limply and not spread much at all if it survives at all tbh.
 
Your tank, being more on the high side makes it more tricky to have a good spread of light to reach the bottom of your tank for plants to grow, good lights for this kind of set up will probably be pretty expensive, thus blowing your budget of $120 just on the lights alone....
 
 
Substrate, well this can be like asking 'how long is a piece of string' kind of thing. Generally speaking, plants do not care what substrate they grow in, just needs to ensure the substrate won't be packed too tight thus restricting the root growth and also not to be too deep as this can create gas pockets.
 
So i'd stay with natural smooth sand substrate, this is good for khulis or cories if your water is suitable for them and also pretty good for plant roots to grow in. Bigger gravel sized is ok too but cories and khulis won't like that so much.
 
As for adding a layer of dirt, well you COULD but this more often than not results in a messy tank for little benefit imho.
 
So I would suggest, due to your budget and being in your dad's office, would stay with being a low tech set up, much easier and less demanding on time and effort. You can do a stunning set up with LOTS of anubias and java ferns and cryptocorynes which are not light demanding nor nutrient hungry type of plants, dosing once weekly with a half decent fert will be fine though not essential for these plants.
 
Lastly, i'd agree that the dwarf rainbowfish, as well as boesmanis etc, these kind of species are active fellows and need  more lengthy tank rather than height of tank, minimum of 3 feet, probably 4 feet tbh would be better for them.
 
However, all is not all lost about rainbowfish, if you do indeed have a higher pH and harder water, Threadfin Rainbowfish would be a good choice for that kind of tank, with maybe 20+ Emerald Danios as tankmates but cories are not good for this type of water tbh but these species of fish are good with shrimps, so that may be a consideration  for you for somethign for the bottom of the tank.
 
But if you have lower pH and fairly soft to moderately hard water (90 - 298ppm hardness)  then Pacific Blue Eyes Rainbowfish and cories might be ok, it all depends on your water hardness gH & kH as well as pH levels.
 
These are two stocking options are just examples of what could be possible, like i say it all depends on the tap water parameters.
 
Sorry if it seems I am shooting down all your ideas but its best you learn of this now rather than later after you have spent all your money, time and effort only to find it won't work well or does not go to your expectations.

 

[cooledwhip]

 

Yes the dimensions are the second one you listed. 30 high, 20 long and 18 wide/depth. It's an odd tank
 
Ok it makes sense on the fish. I'm not too worried because worst case scenario I just throw in a bunch of tetras. Stocking can be planned later. As for the substrate, I am thinking of just buying seachem flourite and maybe mixing it with another gravel (not substrate). I will probably do seachem flourite black, and some black sand or black gravel. 
 
Any recommendations on that? I want some stem plants like rotala indica and pearlweed and I know those are a little higher tech so a more nutrient rich substrate is probably needed.
 
Should I layer a small thing of dirt at the bottom as well? I'm considering doing that.
 

 
I'd rather you did not just throw in a bunch of tetras, please do a little research as to which species of tetras would suit the water most as well as the dimensions on that tank.
 
You only list "pH 6.5-8.5 (On the harder side)" this does not give us much information to go on for recommendations for stocking.
 
6.5 - 8.5 is a huge range for one water supply, would be useful if can get a more accurate pH reading as well as gH and kH values, you can get that information online by looking at the water supply website.
 
Rotala indica, not sure which specie of plant this is however I know that most rotala plants require high light, the same goes for pearlweed which actually is a carpet plant, most carpet plants needs very high light, co2 and ferts for these to thrive, without these it will just grow limply and not spread much at all if it survives at all tbh.
 
Your tank, being more on the high side makes it more tricky to have a good spread of light to reach the bottom of your tank for plants to grow, good lights for this kind of set up will probably be pretty expensive, thus blowing your budget of $120 just on the lights alone....
 
 
Substrate, well this can be like asking 'how long is a piece of string' kind of thing. Generally speaking, plants do not care what substrate they grow in, just needs to ensure the substrate won't be packed too tight thus restricting the root growth and also not to be too deep as this can create gas pockets.
 
So i'd stay with natural smooth sand substrate, this is good for khulis or cories if your water is suitable for them and also pretty good for plant roots to grow in. Bigger gravel sized is ok too but cories and khulis won't like that so much.
 
As for adding a layer of dirt, well you COULD but this more often than not results in a messy tank for little benefit imho.
 
So I would suggest, due to your budget and being in your dad's office, would stay with being a low tech set up, much easier and less demanding on time and effort. You can do a stunning set up with LOTS of anubias and java ferns and cryptocorynes which are not light demanding nor nutrient hungry type of plants, dosing once weekly with a half decent fert will be fine though not essential for these plants.
 
Lastly, i'd agree that the dwarf rainbowfish, as well as boesmanis etc, these kind of species are active fellows and need  more lengthy tank rather than height of tank, minimum of 3 feet, probably 4 feet tbh would be better for them.
 
However, all is not all lost about rainbowfish, if you do indeed have a higher pH and harder water, Threadfin Rainbowfish would be a good choice for that kind of tank, with maybe 20+ Emerald Danios as tankmates but cories are not good for this type of water tbh but these species of fish are good with shrimps, so that may be a consideration  for you for somethign for the bottom of the tank.
 
But if you have lower pH and fairly soft to moderately hard water (90 - 298ppm hardness)  then Pacific Blue Eyes Rainbowfish and cories might be ok, it all depends on your water hardness gH & kH as well as pH levels.
 
These are two stocking options are just examples of what could be possible, like i say it all depends on the tap water parameters.
 
Sorry if it seems I am shooting down all your ideas but its best you learn of this now rather than later after you have spent all your money, time and effort only to find it won't work well or does not go to your expectations.
 

 
 
Thanks for shooting down my ideas. I really would rather learn now than later. I went camping this weekend so I have been busy, so I couldn't reply right away.
 
I want to make a tank somewhat based off the orinoco river, as that's where I want my fish to originate from. 
 
pH is 7.8, just tested it. I just bought a kH and gH kit online. I understand lights will be a problem, but I'm not a fan of flat substrate so there will be lots of divits and high spots as well as low spots on the substrate. I already purchased lots of rock, I have a piece of wood I want to put it in and I plan on keeping it kinda plain other than some swords.
For lights, I can get some pretty cheap 2-3 bulb T5 sets on a plant website I know of. I ordered single bulb T5 fixtures for $17 on their website.
I'll agree with you and do sand but I do want nutrients in the substrate. I could buy root tabs, but would osmocote plus work? I've used that before and lots of other fish guys on youtube use it.
 
For plants I will do low tech plants for sure. Should I use pool filter sand? I want to get this set up quick. Is it really messy? Should I wash it before?
Could I do jungle val?
 
I was thinking, low tech crypts, amazon sword, melon sword, java fern, anubias nana petite, other anubias, mosses. Thanks

 

[Ch4rlie]

 

Thanks for shooting down my ideas. I really would rather learn now than later. I went camping this weekend so I have been busy, so I couldn't reply right away.
 
I want to make a tank somewhat based off the orinoco river, as that's where I want my fish to originate from. 
 
pH is 7.8, just tested it. I just bought a kH and gH kit online. I understand lights will be a problem, but I'm not a fan of flat substrate so there will be lots of divits and high spots as well as low spots on the substrate. I already purchased lots of rock, I have a piece of wood I want to put it in and I plan on keeping it kinda plain other than some swords.
For lights, I can get some pretty cheap 2-3 bulb T5 sets on a plant website I know of. I ordered single bulb T5 fixtures for $17 on their website.
I'll agree with you and do sand but I do want nutrients in the substrate. I could buy root tabs, but would osmocote plus work? I've used that before and lots of other fish guys on youtube use it.
 
For plants I will do low tech plants for sure. Should I use pool filter sand? I want to get this set up quick. Is it really messy? Should I wash it before?
Could I do jungle val?
 
I was thinking, low tech crypts, amazon sword, melon sword, java fern, anubias nana petite, other anubias, mosses. Thanks
 

 
Lights depends on what the tube outputs are, 6,700k sunlight type tends to be the type to look for, any lights alo contains RBG clours are good for plants and fish colours as well.
 
Root tabs are a good nutrient supplement for those root feeders plants. I use Seachem Flourish root tabs, though they are not cheap but the osmoscote plus root tabs, I too, have heard good things as well. In fact I may try doing these myself tbh when i finish my current supply of Seachem tabs. Btw i also use a liquid fert i add into the tank once weekly, not essential.
 
I have no idea about pool filter sand, sorry, so cant really comment about that. Am sure there are threads on this forum about that, just a case of finding them!
 
And the list of low tech plants you gave, pretty much perfect though the amazon sword does grow pretty big and are very heavy root nutrient feeders, just a heads up on that.
 
Jungle vals, these grow VERY long and boadish leaves. Have never tried them but always liked the look of these large leave, best in a large tank methinks but gie them a try if you feel like it, most vals grow pretty easy.
 
Might be better with the normal vals, these leaves are much narrower and still do grow long, in my tanks the leaves grow to at least 2 to 3 feet long....

 

[cooledwhip]

 

 

Thanks for shooting down my ideas. I really would rather learn now than later. I went camping this weekend so I have been busy, so I couldn't reply right away.
 
I want to make a tank somewhat based off the orinoco river, as that's where I want my fish to originate from. 
 
pH is 7.8, just tested it. I just bought a kH and gH kit online. I understand lights will be a problem, but I'm not a fan of flat substrate so there will be lots of divits and high spots as well as low spots on the substrate. I already purchased lots of rock, I have a piece of wood I want to put it in and I plan on keeping it kinda plain other than some swords.
For lights, I can get some pretty cheap 2-3 bulb T5 sets on a plant website I know of. I ordered single bulb T5 fixtures for $17 on their website.
I'll agree with you and do sand but I do want nutrients in the substrate. I could buy root tabs, but would osmocote plus work? I've used that before and lots of other fish guys on youtube use it.
 
For plants I will do low tech plants for sure. Should I use pool filter sand? I want to get this set up quick. Is it really messy? Should I wash it before?
Could I do jungle val?
 
I was thinking, low tech crypts, amazon sword, melon sword, java fern, anubias nana petite, other anubias, mosses. Thanks
 

 
Lights depends on what the tube outputs are, 6,700k sunlight type tends to be the type to look for, any lights alo contains RBG clours are good for plants and fish colours as well.
 
Root tabs are a good nutrient supplement for those root feeders plants. I use Seachem Flourish root tabs, though they are not cheap but the osmoscote plus root tabs, I too, have heard good things as well. In fact I may try doing these myself tbh when i finish my current supply of Seachem tabs. Btw i also use a liquid fert i add into the tank once weekly, not essential.
 
I have no idea about pool filter sand, sorry, so cant really comment about that. Am sure there are threads on this forum about that, just a case of finding them!
 
And the list of low tech plants you gave, pretty much perfect though the amazon sword does grow pretty big and are very heavy root nutrient feeders, just a heads up on that.
 
Jungle vals, these grow VERY long and boadish leaves. Have never tried them but always liked the look of these large leave, best in a large tank methinks but gie them a try if you feel like it, most vals grow pretty easy.
 
Might be better with the normal vals, these leaves are much narrower and still do grow long, in my tanks the leaves grow to at least 2 to 3 feet long....
 

I have seachem flourish, seachem flourish excel, as well as dry ferts. 
 
For the sand I was just wondering what type to use? A darker sand hopefully, I've just heard lots of stuff about pool filter sand as it's cheap.
 
I think I'll buy the T5 setup and just do simple plants. I'll look up types of sand to use. I also will do a VERY small layer of dirt. Just a dusting at the bottom 

 

[Ninjouzata]

Sorry can't offer much help as I havn't had pool filter sand, but from what I've seen of others talking about it on here is that you want to rinse it very well. It is perfectly fine to use though