Show me your aquarium
Discussion
I setup a new tank 3 weeks ago, it's a Juwel Lido 120L with Juwel Helialux LED, this replicates sunrise / sunset / cloud cover amongst many other scenarios.
The main aim is as an aquascape and I added Fluval Stratum as the substrate along with CO2.
The fish are from my other (now decommissioned) tank and that also helped in filter seeding and speeding up the maturing process which all but eliminated the normal new tank process. I did go through the initial cloudy bacterial bloom and currently there is some hair algae on the mosses nearest the light but this is receding using a subtle cut back in light, additional liquid carbon and some Ottocinclus (not shown in the photo's).
First picture on the day of setup and then second and third from a week ago, third picture shows the sunset mode.
The main aim is as an aquascape and I added Fluval Stratum as the substrate along with CO2.
The fish are from my other (now decommissioned) tank and that also helped in filter seeding and speeding up the maturing process which all but eliminated the normal new tank process. I did go through the initial cloudy bacterial bloom and currently there is some hair algae on the mosses nearest the light but this is receding using a subtle cut back in light, additional liquid carbon and some Ottocinclus (not shown in the photo's).
First picture on the day of setup and then second and third from a week ago, third picture shows the sunset mode.
I've managed to mention a fish tank to my partner which she agreed to! We want something easy to look after and hardy. It's mainly for her son (seven), but it will be in the living room.
Cold water or tropical? I'm thinking cold water for heating costs (partner worries a lot about it...). I personally don't think it will make a huge difference to the cost?
Next is the size of the tank...I'm aware that the bigger the tank the easier it is, but we can't have too big due to space. I'm also thinking that we ideally need to get a tank with a stand made for it rather than putting it on the Ikea stand we have...is this right?
I've kept fish before, but it was years ago and I'm sure things have changed.
Cold water or tropical? I'm thinking cold water for heating costs (partner worries a lot about it...). I personally don't think it will make a huge difference to the cost?
Next is the size of the tank...I'm aware that the bigger the tank the easier it is, but we can't have too big due to space. I'm also thinking that we ideally need to get a tank with a stand made for it rather than putting it on the Ikea stand we have...is this right?
I've kept fish before, but it was years ago and I'm sure things have changed.
LosingGrip said:
I've managed to mention a fish tank to my partner which she agreed to! We want something easy to look after and hardy. It's mainly for her son (seven), but it will be in the living room.
Cold water or tropical? I'm thinking cold water for heating costs (partner worries a lot about it...). I personally don't think it will make a huge difference to the cost?
Next is the size of the tank...I'm aware that the bigger the tank the easier it is, but we can't have too big due to space. I'm also thinking that we ideally need to get a tank with a stand made for it rather than putting it on the Ikea stand we have...is this right?
I've kept fish before, but it was years ago and I'm sure things have changed.
Forgive my bluntness, but I’m at work, so don’t have much time to reply.Cold water or tropical? I'm thinking cold water for heating costs (partner worries a lot about it...). I personally don't think it will make a huge difference to the cost?
Next is the size of the tank...I'm aware that the bigger the tank the easier it is, but we can't have too big due to space. I'm also thinking that we ideally need to get a tank with a stand made for it rather than putting it on the Ikea stand we have...is this right?
I've kept fish before, but it was years ago and I'm sure things have changed.
Hearing costs? Negligible IMO, although I think other guys on here have kept accurate records regarding energy consumption. Personally I’d go tropical and start off with Mollys, Platys, Tetras, Corys etc.
Tank size? Believe it or not, larger capacity tanks are a lot easier to maintain and keep in balance regarding the water parameters. 150-180 litres would be my recommendation, especially something like a Juwel Rio 180, as these have really good filtration systems and have a purpose built stand. Juwel tanks are also really good quality tanks. See Facebook, eBay etc for used items, or visit a local aquatic shop as some have deals available. The Juwel website will also show you dimensions.
And yeah, I definitely wouldn’t go putting a tank on an IKEA table. That would be a really, really bad idea.
Agreed, with a couple of differences...
I wouldn't go for live bearers (lollies, guppies, platys) personally but they are the most popular tropical fish so take my opinion with a pinch of salt.
You're not keeping fish, you're keeping water that the fish just happen to live in. Water changes are the primary and best form of maintenance - so make them easy! For that, on my freshwater tank I run a Fluval FX4 canister filter in the stand - it's got a cool method of enabling quick and painless water changes so that even my other half can do them (she's disabled).
I wouldn't go for live bearers (lollies, guppies, platys) personally but they are the most popular tropical fish so take my opinion with a pinch of salt.
You're not keeping fish, you're keeping water that the fish just happen to live in. Water changes are the primary and best form of maintenance - so make them easy! For that, on my freshwater tank I run a Fluval FX4 canister filter in the stand - it's got a cool method of enabling quick and painless water changes so that even my other half can do them (she's disabled).
105.4 said:
Hearing costs? Negligible IMO, although I think other guys on here have kept accurate records regarding energy consumption.
I have energy consumption measuring plugs on both of my tanks.Over the last 12 months, the 190 litre cichlid tank, which is kept at 25C but doesn't have much lighting, has consumed 1178kWh, which at an average price of 34p/kWh would cost about 400 quid.
The 240 litre planted temperate tank in the conservatory, which is heated to 19C but has a large overhead lighting unit, has consumed 1012kWh, which would cost about £344.
Note that my conservatory is unheated and my house is kept between 15 and 18 degrees in the winter - I insulate the conservatory tank with bubble wrap in the coldest weather, and I have recently added foam insulation to the rear two sides of the 190 litre corner unit and added a lid made of the same material. I'm hoping to see a reduction in energy consumption by the 190 litre tank this winter, and I'm thinking of sticking the same foam to the rear face of the conservatory tank.
If you tend to keep your house warmer, heating your tank will cost less. Lighting is only really expensive if you are running a high light planted setup like I am. Filter pumps don't use much at all.
Cotty said:
tough room
Sorry Cotty, but I’d say it’s probably worth two parts of bugger all 
. and on the assumption that it might have been stood empty for some time, it might even be worth less than that.You’re lovely E30 on the other hand…..
Edited by 105.4 on Saturday 30th September 19:55
Back story, always had at least one aquarium from my early 20's in the UK, was obsessed with Plecos, spent far too much money on fish you hardly ever see but I knew were there, think over the course of 6/7 years kept 18 - 20 different species.
Moved back to Dubai in 2007, had community tanks but all sold off once kids, mortgage, school fees etc etc came along.
Wife got her wish of a new puppy 2 months ago so I've snuck a tank in at the request of our eldest
Scaping something this small is an absolute ballache but this has now been running for 3 weeks, home to 6 green neons and 10 yellow golden back neocaridina shrimp.
Excuse the slight haze, just done a water change.
Prize for the closest guess on its volume...
Moved back to Dubai in 2007, had community tanks but all sold off once kids, mortgage, school fees etc etc came along.
Wife got her wish of a new puppy 2 months ago so I've snuck a tank in at the request of our eldest
Scaping something this small is an absolute ballache but this has now been running for 3 weeks, home to 6 green neons and 10 yellow golden back neocaridina shrimp.
Excuse the slight haze, just done a water change.
Prize for the closest guess on its volume...
Neat and organised.
budgie smuggler said:
Oh yeah I remember you said before, those are nice lights. Take your point on the light spread but I'd say your PAR levels are a bit low @ 65% personally, between 200-300 is a good starting point for most acros. At 55% I would think its definitely too low.
When I get a min I'll have a look at what I've got chilling on the sand bed. If anything is worth that round trip I'll let you know...
Sorry Sway I completely forgot to update you. I don't have any good frags right now, basically i'm way behind on fragging my torches and hammers and they've stung the sWhen I get a min I'll have a look at what I've got chilling on the sand bed. If anything is worth that round trip I'll let you know...
t out of everything. My kids being a pain in the arse and not sleeping so I have zero inclination to spend several hours chopping it all back right now. Once I do I will put some frags aside and I can either post them or you can swing by if you want.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Wednesday 4th October 10:40
budgie smuggler said:
Sorry Sway I completely forgot to update you. I don't have any good frags right now, basically i'm way behind on fragging my torches and hammers and they've stung the st out of everything.
My kids being a pain in the arse and not sleeping so I have zero inclination to spend several hours chopping it all back right now. Once I do I will put some frags aside and I can either post them or you can swing by if you want.
You're a star.t out of everything. My kids being a pain in the arse and not sleeping so I have zero inclination to spend several hours chopping it all back right now. Once I do I will put some frags aside and I can either post them or you can swing by if you want.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Wednesday 4th October 10:40
Reef tank frustration update!
Hanna Marine Master is superb for my colourblind eyes. Takes about an hour to test every parameter, and getting consistent results. Nitrates yo-yo, which is odd!
Magnesium dropped, and realised thanks to some advice from a local reefer that my dragon soul torch was getting too blasted by flow due to the gyres driving main currents top and bottom (it was mounted on the sand). Moved it up to the middle of the tank, but unfortunately too late as there was tissue damage. I also realised it wasn't the healthiest specimen to begin with, as I picked up a purple torch that has massive heads with loads of 'mantle' tissue the DS never had.
Flow switched to 'tidal', and while the DS was definitely happier I've lost both heads. The purple was mounted in the middle of the tank day one, and is looking superb.
Chromis have spawned on the back wall. Mr Chromis has turned into a protective a
hole - but it's all good as there's so many nooks/crannies/tunnels everything has plenty of ability to escape.Added a Coral Beauty (Buffy) who's settled in great. LFS has attempted to get in and quarantine two peacock wrasses, neither have made it out of quarantine (no copper, as they're sensitive to that).
Torches (notice the difference between the purple at front, and dragon soul at back).
Coral Beauty (bloody awful pic - really need to pick up the Orphek phone lenses!)
Dazzle the Foxface showing off his mohican!
Overall, fish are fat and happy. Feel like I'm getting better grips of the tank chemistry thanks to better testing I can actually repeat consistently. Big torch is doing well.
I'm back off to Florida for three weeks of work (got another fortnight in November too) - so tank is just going to run, RZ Advanced ICP being sent off this week, then once work travel is over time to go again with adding more corals. Fish wise, I'm just after one or two great looking but unfussy wrasses. Maybe a flasher and a coris?
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