Krisisdog's Setup

[krisisdog]

Hey all.
I'm from Grafton, north coast/northern rivers of NSW, 18 and almost done with school.

Pics are better than words, so I took 2 pics of my new(ish) setup.
I had it set up a few years back, but when we got new flooring it got moved to the shed ( no fish, stripped out). Bout a fortnight ago I was playing round in there
doing something and I just looked at it and thought "Why, why is this still empty?".

Found all the bits n pieces scattered throughout the house and plonked it in the dining room. I've got my HSC exams on now and thought it'd be a good thing to
play around with while I'm 'studying'.

After I set everything up I left it for a few days with the filter and heater running, fixed pH etc. The tap water was rather high, nearing an 8 or so I think, which is
what the LFS said it had been lately.

Got some plants and 5 tetras (60c each special!), and put them in. They all seemed happy enough, so got another 10 tetras a few days later and 6 of those light
pinkish fish, the name of which escapes me, though I'll find out this arv when I pop in to see what new stock arrived today. Also got 2 catfish, a bronze catfish or
something, similar body shape to a clown loach, and just a normal cheapie sucking catfish, those things are legendary lol.
Plan on getting some more tetras, dunno what sort though, or maybe tiger barbs, but they might be a bit aggressive. Wouldnt mind some Gourami's I think they
were, blue and silvery ones look mad.
Oh, and some glass shrimp, if the LFS had some, or if I could be bothered finding the fine yabby trap and going to the dam.


Okay the light on top isnt the proper one, the fluro bulb blew in it so I found this one in the shed, and its only a few inches shorter....tho its pretty shabby, but it
works. Just have a normal filter in there, dunno specs, and have a small airstone at the right of the tank behind the upstanding rock, and a long one behind the
driftwood, tho the bubbles arent on for long, if at all each day. My lil bro likes them, so I'll turn em on for him when he asks.
Dunno what plants are what, sept the probably cost more than the fish at this stage lol.

Oh, the tanks about 3ft by 10 or so inches deep, and a 12" or so high. Does 13 gallons/60 odd litres sound right?

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4453/img0248iw3.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4754/img0249ee7.jpg

Cheers, Chris

[GoGuppy]

G'day again kd

We should all look out when you get serious about setting up a tank, in stead of plonking it together while you're focussed on studying!!! :wink: !!

The tank looks great, but still you probably need to be aware that it may still need to complete its cycle and hit the nitrate peak!

Good luck and let us know how you go over the next few weeks.

Cheers

[krisisdog]

Meh if it happens it happens. I wont be too fazed if I lose a fish or 2, but obviously I'd rather not. I didnt realise it would be as big of a possible problem as forums have recently pointed out to me. But hey live to learn. No LFS has ever mentioned nitrate before, though I was aware of it, just didnt give it another thought.

I think this has probably been my best plonking together of something in a looong time, it actually looks good :O lol.

I really want to get another, much larger tank, but $$ and he fact I'm still in my folks home sorta kills that idea for a few more years. Ah well, by the time Im able to get it though I should be well learn-ed lol, and get it right (enough) the first go I have at it.

[krisisdog]

Does Amrite down or something similar add bacteria? I added some of that too, and have been changing the top few inches of the tank every 2-3 days or so. The tanks been setup for almost 2 weeks now, with fish for about a week n a day or 2.

[GoGuppy]

Does Amrite down or something similar add bacteria? I added some of that too, and have been changing the top few inches of the tank every 2-3 days or so. The tanks been setup for almost 2 weeks now, with fish for about a week n a day or 2.[/b]

I'm not familiar with Amrite, I assume it's a water conditioner? Some conditioners actually reduce ammonium/ammonia level, if added in high dosages, normally about 5x usual dosage rate. Check the instructions. Other conditioners claim to have beneficial bacteria, but I would not rely on these as the only source for good bugs. Better to get/beg/borrow some old filter media from a friend or friendly LFS. Some people recommend not to add any chemicals to the tank, IMO very occasional and limited use of specific aquarium products should be OK, if all else fails.

Just another thought, you mentioned pH is OK in the original post, what is it? Best to go for a slightly acidic condition (pH slightly less than 7.0, say 6.7 to 6.9) while the tank is cycling, as this will prevent ammonia and nitrites from being generated and you only have to check the nitrates. BTW, your tank is about 65 litres and by changing the top 50mm of water you're doing about a 15% water change every couple of days, which surely helps. :biggrin:

Cheers

[sharkybubba]

Hey KD,

<div align="left">welcome to TFT&#33; I&#39;ve been in to tetras before, not a bad fish and a massive range&#33; id recommend red-eyed tetras and rummy nose tetras, they are pretty impressive fish to look at, lots of colour&#33; good luck with you tank its looking good&#33; :biggrin:
</div>

[krisisdog]

Yeh I saw the red eyed suckers, they look pretty cool.
I just got a Khuli Loach, bout an inch n a half long.

The pH is pretty much exactly neutral, and has stayed constant since I set it up.
The tank has a marking just a cm or so down from the top with 60L/13gals marked. With gravel though there would be a bit less, unless it was measured with gravel in there by the previous owner. Dunno.