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OK, i'm being my average self, doubting every option I don't know what to do. So many answers. OK, its not just the cost of the CO2 system its also the plants and the maintenance of the plants, trimming, fertilising, and water changes. The lightbulbs need replacing every six months and I am no underwater gardener :lol: I will look into the running costs, but as I'm wanting cardinals with little lighting requirements, and having mainly live rock with a few low light corals and mushrooms, this shouldn't be a major issue, It would almost cost the same (heaters are required for both, skimmer replaces filter, salt is an extra If I do the water changes I mention with purchased salt- $240 a year ) Also, depending on how much maintenance is involved, I think I can still cope with school (and work afterward) and maintaining the tank, as I have put NO effort into my work this year at home, rarely complete homework, but still passing so far The only time it would be difficult is about 2 weeks in September, 3 weeks in November, in which i'm sure mum would maintain the tank for me (:-? :lol: ) I am planning on selling a spare tank I have and have some excess cash from selling fish things in the past, so will work out my budget. Could someone please give me an indication of how time consuming on average a tank of this size will require??? This book is about 300 pages of tiny writing, I have red it before, and am skimming through the requirements, but won't be able to read through all the individual corals and fish. :roll: The book says 3-10 days of cycling if seeded sand and rock have been introduced, after which the tank can be lightly stocked. I would wait longer than this if required. Thanks Steve for the site link, I will read through it tonight, I do know the real basics but am interested in the detailed information it has. Can someone please say possible additives required??? Costs??? I was planning on selling the pajama cardinals if I find any banner cardinals. I'm unfortunately not close to the sea, if that's what you mean, so purchased salt might be my only option, unless I have storage containers at the back of the house I could take to a beach if we are ever going there. The reason for the 10% water change (25L) is because the cardinals love this type of clean water, but i'm only wanting a pair of cardinals, and babies if they breed, in this tank, so not much waste will be produced. You might be beginning to loose hope in me :lol: , I can never make up my mind on anything, but basically thought of a simple, live rock based, low light aquarium with a few cardinals. Also how have you found feeding them, I have heard they are difficuilt and not easily accepting of foods. Thanks for all your time in giving this information, and as you say, I would hate to begin in marine, not afford it, and come out worse off. I will think about my options tomorrow and research it more. Thanks again for all your help :bounce: :bounce:

I would first like to thank everyone for all their help on ideas for my planted freshwater tank. But, researching the costs invloved of CO2, plants, lighting etc I'm wondering if I might as well set this 250L tank up as saltwater and fully plant my 90L tropical tank instead. I know you have probably got a similar thread many times before, but whats what??? :lol: I have a standard tank and stand that was used for tropical, two eheim filters, standard freshwater light tubes and a couple of heaters. I only want the basics :lol: A skimmer (preferably as compact as possible), just a low maintenance tank so I won't be making excuses of maintaining the fish tank over schoolwork and find myself failing the year :-?, and any other piece of equipment required for a marine tank. I have a huge book on setting up a marine tank but won't have the time to read it. I am interested in a few bits and pieces on trademe, and was wondering of going into pajama cardinals, followed by banggai cardinals as experience continues. So a few questions, What do I look into first? What salt is the best value for money and how much? Will I have time to allow myself to continue passing school? :lol: How are cardinals? Is it worth it? etc,etc,etc I have had tropical for many years now and want something different. Do you have any words of help or selling/ know of anyone selling the things I need, skimmer etc? Oh, and I don't want holes drilled in my tank if I can help it, incase saltwater doesn't work out and I decide to go back to freshwater. How much upkeep is involved? I think 10% water change a week is enough, how much salt will I use and is this an huge expense I can't afford? (I don't live close to the sea ) Thanks in advance (If it helps my tank measures roughly 152cmL x 38cmW x 47cmH) I would prefer to buy seeded sand and rock as I know I will want some fish ASAP and therefore only need to cycle the tank for 3-10 days according to the book.

Ok, I thought I would have my view. 1. The width must always be able to fit through a standard door way, unsure of measurements. 2. If the tank is too high it wcan be difficuilt to service and grasp things, I have no idea on the height of this and your handspan etc, but a book I read thought 60cm max. 3. So, if you want the volume you describe, length might need to be worked out allowing these guidelines. Anyway, I have no clue :lol: , just thought I would sound useful , I don't need to change house for a while so my tanks are fine, but my biggest is only 250L. Hope this helps a little, it probably won't :oops: :roll:

I found someone local who is replacing and sealing the glass for $30. I would do it myself but have no glass around and wouldn't like selling incase it did leak. If your interested check out trademe sometime.

I felt guilty because the tank that smashed was mine in the first place, was set up and all but must have cracked on removal. I'm sure it will be easily fixed, thanks for the advice.

But what if it still leaks??

Its one of those standard 90L hexagonal tank that was broken by a friend who borrowed it after their tank smashed, and now i'm left to repair it. So is there anyone in Pukekohe area who has a spare piece of glass and are able to reseal it for me?? Whos quite reasonable or would I be better buying a whole new tank to go with the stand or to sell it as is?? I am planning on selling it on Trademe with a few spare ornaments and goldfish (maybe tropical) to get rid of some things I don't need. Anyone know of who could do this for me?? Thanks :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Thanks, I might turn it off when (if) any young come My guppies seem to love the flow of the water and are always swimming into it. Thanks again for everyones help and ideas.

Thanks for your help :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

It is a hang on back filter How do you mean 'it will slow the turnover'? I have no idea when it comes to filters

Today I have set up a 50L glass tank for my guppies to (hopefully ) breed in, once I find females (I think albinos females on the importing list). Anyway, my filter that sucks up the water has quite wide spacing and I was thinking the guppies could be sucked up by it So is there a way of changing that? :-? I was thining of some stretched filter wool over the suction that would stop the large gaps for them to get through, how does this sound :-? Thanks

Sorry I can't be much help to your question, but an awesome picture of the kingfisher Good luck!!!

How about sharks, silver etc They don't harm plants and can grow quite large, but should be Ok in the tank you describe I personally don't have any but am sure they are OK.

Welcome along This site is great and extremely helpful :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I too am interested, particulary in the star grass and possibly the others if it is available I can take the lot if no one else wants any, my 250L tank i'm begining is bare currently and therefore has a heap of room that I was going to otherwise purchase. I am unable to email you until tonight as ours is currently broken, but I will take whatever is available As i'm at school this week either my grandparents are going up to howick possibly tomorrow or else we will make a trip up on saturday. Thanks for the great offer and I am happy for them to be shared out, but if noone else wants any I have a home for them all. I'll email you tonight, hopefully they are still available

)eah, that sounds like me, thinking overly complicated :lol: :lol: :lol: me thinking about a question in an exam paper too much has cost me in the past Awesome pics, I might keep what I have, but maybe swap the two smaller eheim filters for a larger one, and buy any bulk lots of plants as they turn up. Is there anyway of telling of a tank leak before filling the whole thing up with water :-? :-? :-? :-? :-? :-? :-? Thanks Fishboi, my fish are costing me enough as it is, over $50 for 4 little tiny guppies, I'm going to be broke (actually I am going to hope they can breed well for me )

The reason is they are both model 2213 and therefore only filter 440L per hour, so they both would have to run aswell as another maybe, which would waste all my storage space for other things, but instead I would prefer one bigger model that only takes up one cupboard, and also means the extra cash can help with the costs to set up the tank.

I am wondering whether to sell my eheim filters and move to a Jebo 815 as what I have heard they are great When I get home I will look at the model of my eheim filters and possibly sell them, the tank needs the two I have going as they are 8watt each and only filter about 250L per hour I think. It might give me some extra cash for a CO2 regulator etc. My main fear is that I fill up the tank and find it leaks, as it hasn't been set up for a while, and is only centimetres away from newly laid carpet, 250L of water would do a bit of damage. I am going to set up a small tank for the meantime for any plants in bulk I see around so am willing to take any off your hands, free or for money :lol: .Also, what type clips are the Jebo filter lids held by as I would also hate the water to run out of the tank that way. Sorry I'm probably worrying too much :lol: :lol: , but have only set up tanks in the garage so wasn't worried about any leaks wrecking the whole house. How have you found the filters? Thanks

Oxyge 'food' source, I think I better have an early night :lol: :lol:

They are always going to have an oxygen food source in sunlight :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: (By photosynthesis) :lol: :lol: :lol: They do look neat

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Awesome, thanks guys Awesome pictures too meshelley I will google the person you mention and try some ideas from his tank, I know I will be broke after these holidays :lol: :lol: My fish deserve it, they are awesome escpecially in some light, their colours are so light with no dark pigments being albino. I will look into Co2 anyway depending on the price, how i'm going to afford it, well thats another story :lol: I don't want too much lighting because I'll feel guilty when my mum receives a power bill with an added $100 a month, and has to pay it Thanks again, and anymore help would be great if you have any

Any ideas :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Played find the babies first :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Great way to start the morning :lol: :lol:

Yeah, my plan is to have enough cover for some to survive but also a small tank attatched to the main tank that I could put the babies I catch in