GeeTee

I tested the water in the bucket and it read well over 8,as I took it to my parents to test it I didn't think to take some tap water with me. Do you think the reading could be high because the amount of gravel is enough to do the fishtank and it may only have 5-10 litres of water in the bucket? (Might be a bit concerntrated) It's a big ask that question, I think I'll wait till I get my test kit(hopefully tomorrow)then I'll test the tap water.Will get better Idea then. What is the best way to get the ph down? Can you let me know how to correct ANY of the water imperfections? Many thanks Greg

I have collected gravel off a beach for my tank,it has a bit of shell in it.I have rinsed it well and now it is just soaking in a couple of buckets of water.I have a test kit coming soon,would it be a true reading to test the water in the bucket for ph?

I will try that,will slowing the pump not damage it at all?

It's only a 22 litre tank. If that is no problem how long for?? Do I just vary the flow rate,slow it down a bit? Greg

After reading plenty of posts on cycling I thought the easy way to cycle my new tank would be to put my sons old filter cartridge in the tank for a week or two as mentioned in a few posts. My new filter is a Fluval 204,comes with 3 baskets in it with stuff to put in 2 of them. Would it be ok to put the wool from the cartridge in the 3rd basket and have the water flow through it that way??? If so top,middle or bottom basket or wouldn't really matter??? Greg

Thats good to hear Ballistic that was a question I was ready to ask about beach gravel. I've collected some off a local beach,soaked and rinsed it numerous times.I was fairly confident it would be fine. Mind will be at rest now. Greg

Got it now,I remember it from the other day going thru all the pics to get ideas,I like the idea of an african tank though,will have to consider that.

Black marble,please explain.

Thanks to all, that was great.Everything answered spot on. The concern with the filter, was whether to place the pipes close together or to spread them out. The heater I would have just had it vertical,not any more. Keep cichlids out of community tank,got it. If I was to make it an African set up are the fish easy enough for a beginner to keep? If so I imagine the different fish(cichlids) will live happily together and not fight amongst themselves? Thanks again,most helpful. Greg

Now that I have the filter and heater,what are your opinions on positioning the inlet and outlet pipes,and heater for most efficient results? To do with fish,electric yellows and blues are nice but can be aggressive,do the more aggressive fish go out of they're way to attack other fish or is it just if they get to close. Greg

Hi plecs, Yes I am aware of the size they grow to, but I figure buy some small ones and once they outgrow the tank build a bigger tank,or trade them on smaller ones if my wife has her way. PR thats a let down I have found some info that said they weren't to hard to keep,they may have been talking on behalf of more experienced people perhaps. thanks Greg

Hi Chim, Thanks for the input,today I bought a filter,aFluval 204 canister and a heater, a stainless steel Aqua One with the controls on the outside of the tank,and a test kit.the only thing I need now is some lighting,so your info will help there. All I need now is for the good wife to let me take it inside and set it up.(and some fish). Once it is cycled, with a few suicide fish as a mate of mine calls them,I am looking at putting some guarami's,silver sharks,bristlenose and something small and pretty,neons probly.We'll see how I go. Greg

Thanks all for your input, it is much appreciated and i will put it to good use this weekend hopefully.It is an addiction.I don't have a tank on the go yet(except my sons 22 litre) and am thinking about the next one already. Greg

Thanks snowman that's a great idea with the lighting. Greg

Being my first tank I don't think I will plant it out to heavy just a few to start. Greg

I have been looking into a filter for my tank(first tank).I have been through the posts on here and eheim and jebo come up a bit. I have found on ebay some canister filters,jebo 835,jebo 815,fluval 204. They are a good price to any I've seen in shops or on the net. Haven't heard a lot on the fluval,what would your opinion be on them as they seem to be a good buy with 3 year warrany,the jebo's come with 6 months. the tank is 80cm x 40cm x 40cm about 120 litres. What is recommended for a light for this tank? Thanks Greg

There are 3 sailfin mollies in with them at the moment, about an inch long, They are only there untill I get my own tank running. Tank,cabinet and hood all built just have to buy filter,heater and put a light in the hood and my tank will be ready to run. I built everything from scratch just for fun,to see if it was for me or not. It looks good. Greg

Thanks for all the info but it has disappeared over the weekend so am guessing it must have rubbed against something. Water changes are weekly.What did you think it may have been wok just so I can watch for it in the future? Greg

Hi Caryl, Anything is possible as it is only on one side. As my son is only 7 years old that sounds like a good thing to tell him. Will make sense to him. Thankyou Greg

G'day all, My son has two goldfish and one of them has developed what looks like a rash under one of it's side fins. Could this be a rash or something more sinister? Cheers Greg

Those gold b/nose do look good against a dark background. I will be building a hood for my tank tomorrow, what is the best lighting and/or bulbsfor the job? Cheers Greg

Thanks Snowman,is the b/nose yours?

Thanks to everyone, makes life very easy. I am thinking external filter for easy acess for maintenence.I will look into to the mentioned filters, the main filters sold around here are Aqua One.Are they any good,for ease of purchase,or do you think take the time and buy one on the net purhaps? What about test kits?Most talk I've noticed is on ph and nitrate. As for fish give your ideas.It will be a community tank.I'm not over excited about small fish but I would have to have some.Sharks I like,Bristle nose don't look real good but a mate has one,seems to have a bit of personality,maybe even something that might breed for me. Cycling???? with or without fish???? Thanks again Greg

G'day all, I've been following the site now for 3 weeks, looking for info after buying a tank for my son for his b'day.I got all keen after seeing his tank and decided to build myself one. It's now built and I would like some idea of what filter,heater etc is needed to get me going. I did a search and couldn't get a straight forward answer to suit my tank so I am in your capable hands. The tank is 80cm x 40cm x 40cm approx 120 litres.I have had different opinions from my local pet stores about the filter,one saying 300l/h and the other saying 800l/h.Heater 200 watts. Please help me get pointed in the right direction and give me any info on the DEFINATE gear I need to keep the fish safe. Cheers Greg

G'day Steve, I am very happy to have found the site and it has been great on info in the three weeks I've been reading along,although a little confusing at times but I will catch on. Cheers Greg