hungryemo Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Okay, so, to many of you - this will be pure ammateur but it's my first tank so, there's that. So I will add the plants tomorrow to hide the ugliness (I didn't realise that there was an even smaller corner filter until we got home and my partner said... grrrr). I've added Seachem Prime, Carbonate Hardness Generator (I hope that's right), Aquarium Salt, and a bit of food. Is there anything else I should be doing right now? Have I done anything wrong you can see? Should the heater go a bit diagonal to ensure it's fully submerged? Such a small space to work with. Can't wait to get some bigger tanks! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Doesn't the aquastart have a top filter in the hood? Plants don't grow to well with a bubbler unless its moss or java fern or something dead easy like that. Or that can use carbonates as a C source. I think I have a castle exactly like that but withoput th fake plants. I would put the heater diangonal and try to hide it behind the castle a bit more, looks good :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrefly Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 How big is that tank? Really nice choice or ornament (Where did you find it?) and substrate If the water movement is fairly slow, the heater will do better at an angle, absolutely. If you're cycling from scratch, you can start 'feeding' the water to begin accumulating some beneficial bacteria. Most importantly.. Have you chosen the inhabitant? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 It's a 28ltr... got it off eBay with the stand but no filter or heater, etc. There's only a light in the hood. Actually just got the ornament from the local pet store. I didn't really want to overcrowd it with lots of little bits so just went with that one thing... I like the "ruins" look. Still looking for the inhabitant. All my local stores have Bettas that look like they've rolled over and died so hoping to source one (or a few!) from these forums. I think I'm more interested in the Halfmoons but I've seen a couple of Giant Butterfly Plakats that I've really liked so... the hunt begins! I also saw some Bristlenose Catfish that I loved - would it be possible to have that in with a male Betta in this size tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Bristlenose are one of teh few fish that seem to poop out more than they eat, 28 litres is far to small for a bristlenose sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 (edited) Good to know. Any other fish that would be good for that size? I'm not really that fussed about other inhabitants for it but would be good to see a couple of fishies in there. EDIT: Doesn't have to just be fish either. Any good shrimp or snails? Edited October 8, 2011 by Hungry Emo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2littlerevheads Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 u could guppies or any live breeders or tetra's . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neffy Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I really like the castle! Anubias and java ferns attached to it wld have a neat overgrown effect that might be cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 If you densly plant it shrimp would be great, some red cherries. or maybe some short fin guppies, the long ones tend to get atacked IME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 So we went to the Aquarium store today. Hello tank! The ornaments probably won't stay and obviously no plants, driftwood, or backing yet but whoot! It's four foot so gives us a bit more options on fish. Will be getting a couple of two foot tanks soon also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Wow! that was spontanious! You should just paint the back black, it'll look great, adds depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 I was getting jealous of seeing everyone else's amazing communal tanks and although the plan was to wait for a good deal on a second hand tank... I got impatient. I've been wondering whether to paint it black or put up that blue background I've seen others have - I think either look awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 I think black would go well with the cabinet, I really don't like blue though haha. What if you grouped the ornaments, or at least moved them so they arn't so even;y spaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Grats on the tank! Black does look good on tanks, I generally just get big sheets of black cardboard and put them behind. Never tape/stick down.. just prop them in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Yeah, I pretty much just plonked them in for now. Once I get the plants and the drifwood, etc, I'll start making some arrangements. Aquascaping seemed a lot easier when I had one ornament in a tiny tank. :embarrass: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sha Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Congratulations on having Multiple Tank Syndrome. I love those Aqua One Horizon tanks such clean lines and decent quality for the price. One peice of advice however depending on what you decide to stock the tank with the filter is realy not up to scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks, Sha. Appreciate any advice. This was more my partner's choice and did try to say that most "package" Aquariums come with lower-quality accessories but I was ignored cos "you got your tank set up last night and I want mine nao!" Which filter do you suggest? I'm completely useless with terms so any brand (or a link to one or two) would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sha Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 It will depend on what you are stocking your tank with however for tanks over 3ft I always think external canister filters are the way to go. Personnaly I am a big fan of the eheim classic filter with the glass attachments and clear tubing. However I recently discovered the eden 501 for tanks under 60L which is whisper quiet and does a great job. This would be to small for your tank though they may make a larger one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks. I had been reading that a lot of people use the external canister filters so thought maybe that was the best way to go. Still haven't decided what's going in there. Would like a good communal tank with lots of colour but each website I go to, it says different fish with each other - so pretty confusing right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 I wouldn't do just what the websites say IMO I research each fish I want and if they need similar water conditions and temperment I put them in together. If in doubt you could ask here or use this http://aqadvisor.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Yeah, I'm pretty untrusting with websites and shop staff. It's why I've been looking non-stop on these forums to see what others have in their tanks (I'm a tank stalker, apparently). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sha Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Personally I love biotype aquariums but at the end of the day you need to be happy with what you have and get enjoyment out of it. When I first started keeping fish I just followed what the LFS recommended and wound up with an overstocked tank filled with fish that were incompatible. Nowadays I listen to very little advice from LFS staff unless I know them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever_and_a_day Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 haha. tanks must be exploding into existence all over your house XD I'm sure the smaller tank was heaps easier. defs go with a canister filter for the big tank. can't help you with model, but from what I've heard, the 'age of aquariums' gets pretty good reviews and shipping is $7.50 flat planning a big tank should be heaps of fun though. grab inspiration from sites like these +link or alternatively, just sit there like and idiot and drool at them XD and this +link is a pretty good plant data base. and if you've got nothing in the gravel, maybe crush up some of dave's 'dino dung' and put it underneath where ever you're planning to put plants, that way their can get nutrients from their roots. I always found that my plants died when i put them into straight gravel >_> most importantly, have fun and i love your eleven icon <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks for all the tips. Got some plants for the big tank today but still haven't really arranged it. I'm basically just gonna wait till I've got to a place where it's enough, and then sort it all out! I do have a question though. Before I got the big tank and the Aqua One, I got this tank (link). The filter's too much to keep Bettas in... what do I need to do lower the flow? I think someone mentioned it would make a good sorority tank - how many girls would be comfotable in there? Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever_and_a_day Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 is it one of those all-in-ones where the filter outlet thingy on the side that produces a huge amount of current (for seemingly no reason)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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