The tank shouldn't leak being new so don't worry too much about that.
If the power filter is being difficult due to the glass cross member, you could return the tank and get one without that cross member. I don't know why they have 3 cross members on a 3 foot tank, it doesn't need them. The standard 3 foot tanks we used to sell were 3 foot long x 14 inches wide x 18 inches high (virtually the same size as yours) and we just had a 4 inch wide cross member in the middle of the tank. If we did a split lid coverglass, we put 1 inch wide cross members on the ends for the glass to rest on.
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Don't mix sand and gravel together because they mix up and it looks bad. Just use sand or gravel but not both.
Most natural waterways have sand and very few have gravel. Out of all the waterways I surveyed over the years, only one had gravel and the gravel was only around rocks and boulders. Most of the creek was sand and the gravel was simply around the boulders and nowhere else. I presume the rest of the gravel (if there was anymore) was covered by the sand.
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You don't need to cycle the new tank. If you aren't keeping the old tank set up, just move the sponge filter from it into the new tank and move the silvertip tetras across at the same time. Then run both filters for a couple of months or just the sponge filter.
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LED lights for an aquarium shouldn't corrode. If they do there is something seriously wrong with them. However, I noticed some coverglass next to the aquarium and if you have that on the tank, you will reduce evaporation and humidity from the tank a lot and the light shouldn't rust. If it does, take it back and get it swapped under warranty.
If you hang the light unit from the wooden beams above the tank, they shouldn't get water on them but will still provide light to the plants.
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My go to beginner plants are Ambulia, Hygrophila polysperma, narrow Vallis and Water Sprite. They are all different shapes and do well in any tank I have keep them in. Water Sprite is a floating plant but can also be planted in the substrate. I usually grow it on the surface and when I get a few I start planting them.
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Most tetras should be fine with silvertips and in a 3 foot tank. Black or red phantom tetras, neons and cardinals (which you had before), glowlights, I can't remember any other tetras. Ahh brain dead
But most tetras that are similar size to the silvertips will be fine.
If you want barbs then a group of cherry or checkered barbs will go with them as will small rasboras like the harlequin rasboras.
If the power filter is being difficult due to the glass cross member, you could return the tank and get one without that cross member. I don't know why they have 3 cross members on a 3 foot tank, it doesn't need them. The standard 3 foot tanks we used to sell were 3 foot long x 14 inches wide x 18 inches high (virtually the same size as yours) and we just had a 4 inch wide cross member in the middle of the tank. If we did a split lid coverglass, we put 1 inch wide cross members on the ends for the glass to rest on.
---------------------
Don't mix sand and gravel together because they mix up and it looks bad. Just use sand or gravel but not both.
Most natural waterways have sand and very few have gravel. Out of all the waterways I surveyed over the years, only one had gravel and the gravel was only around rocks and boulders. Most of the creek was sand and the gravel was simply around the boulders and nowhere else. I presume the rest of the gravel (if there was anymore) was covered by the sand.
---------------------
You don't need to cycle the new tank. If you aren't keeping the old tank set up, just move the sponge filter from it into the new tank and move the silvertip tetras across at the same time. Then run both filters for a couple of months or just the sponge filter.
---------------------
LED lights for an aquarium shouldn't corrode. If they do there is something seriously wrong with them. However, I noticed some coverglass next to the aquarium and if you have that on the tank, you will reduce evaporation and humidity from the tank a lot and the light shouldn't rust. If it does, take it back and get it swapped under warranty.
If you hang the light unit from the wooden beams above the tank, they shouldn't get water on them but will still provide light to the plants.
---------------------
My go to beginner plants are Ambulia, Hygrophila polysperma, narrow Vallis and Water Sprite. They are all different shapes and do well in any tank I have keep them in. Water Sprite is a floating plant but can also be planted in the substrate. I usually grow it on the surface and when I get a few I start planting them.
---------------------
Most tetras should be fine with silvertips and in a 3 foot tank. Black or red phantom tetras, neons and cardinals (which you had before), glowlights, I can't remember any other tetras. Ahh brain dead
But most tetras that are similar size to the silvertips will be fine.If you want barbs then a group of cherry or checkered barbs will go with them as will small rasboras like the harlequin rasboras.
