seftonearl

Hi, I am new and are about to set up a 250 ltr one metre long display tank for the local Brain Injury assocciation. I have seen pictures of Tims killies "Aquanut" and like them alot, i do have a few questuions however you may be able to help with. Given optium conditions will they live 2-3 years, or more. what is the best substrate it use, how about Black argonite sand ?.Does it buffer the water? is that good?. what leval of lighting? the fish like little and the plants need more. I have a Fluval 403, which is a big external filter, do the fish like fast moving water or do I shut it down a bit. Do I run the spray bar onto the water or under it. Which alge eater is best? I quite like the orange colured ones?. What other fish would be happy in the tank? ones that are almost as brightly coloured and the same size.?. The best plants are what? java fern/ moss I will have dark driftwood and maybe brocken slate or stones as well. Do I leave the Fluval ammonia remover in the filter till after it cycles, or replace it with carbon or peat?. Thats about it, Ive read quite a bit online and in this forum but when you have had a brain injury short sharp informed answers are best. Hope you can help, Many thanks Bill.

Thanks for that Guys, quick answers. I left out Neons from the fish list, up to 20, do they fit in?, how many? Do you know the best source to find South East Asian tank pictures on the web. Just to see if I like the look. Cheers Bill.

Well, that wasn't what I wanted to hear, but at least I know what make of heater to buy. Ive been thinking about the tank and read in the articals section that you can recreate the original environment of the fish? ( Ive forgotten what its called.> Biosphere<?) I have been given quite a list of fish which will go well together eg. Tiger Barbs, Rams ,Kribensis, Bristlenose, Bala Shark,Rummnose Tetras,Harlequins Rasboras, Plus Plants .Aubias,Crypts, Java Fern and Swords. Do these lend themselves into a theme of some sort? does it have a name? Cheers Bill.

Thanks to Caryl and Ian, very good answers. Ian , my filter has 3 compartments with a sponge at the top and a ammonia absorbing broken rock stuff in the centre. There is ceramic and plastic bio material at the bottom. Will that take not care of the ammiona?. I will start of with only a few fish though, and only when the plants are doing ok. My next subject is heaters. I have owned several 300w glass themosat types which do not last that long.(3yrs approx with turtles anyway). They are hard to hide in the tank, and I should have 2 in case one fails.?. Its not just the glass tube which Ive been told should be mounted at 45 degress on each side of the back wall but you have to hide the electric cable as well. My tank will be set up to stick out between the lounge and dining room and will be viewed from both sides. Is there not a heated pad with good control that can be placed under the tank? does anyone do this? Also are there such a thing as a heated rock that works.?It would look much better.IMHO. All for now Bill.

Good thinking about the heater, I will do that. Jim, my boss said that any donations would be greatfully received, Caryl , I have emailed your contact Mitch, thanks. I didnt achieve anything today as the tank is around 4cm longer that the cabnet top. I wil have to cut some board to support it . Just to bone up on recycleing the filter, do you mean to clean out one of the 3 filter sections in rotation every 3 months ?. Leaving the sponge Till last? Also do you remove and replace water every week or fortnight? And how much, a quarter or a third of the tank? Thanks, getting informed short answers to questions is fantastic. It sure beats having to find books and read through rems of articals, quite a effort after a head injury.

Thanks. It was great to read the web page on the Barbs. Im leaning towards the planted tank now. Im going to the drop in day tomorrow and will settle on the placement of the tank. We are moving it from a office L shaped desk to a metal cabinet. I will have to see if the cabinets top is flat enough for the tank. I think its uneven which means a sheet of solid board with closed cell foam on top. I will them have to position the filter and I guess extend its tubes? or sit it on something high. The tank will be in the centre of the lounge/dining room just under head height.If that goes ok I might fire up the filter and let it move the water around for a week to see if it or the tank leaks. Is it a good idea to heat the water at this stage? Why?. (No heater yet.) Thanks for the donation offer Jim. I will have to see what the board and staff think,I wasn't angleing for that. Maybe any good unwanted equipment that we realy need or a plant or a fish would help. I hope that visitors, clients, their caregivers or family might also offer to add a fish or plant to the tank when its up and running.I had a quote of $600 from a suppiler to equip and stock it but have found it can be done for half that.

Just what i need, I will get some books from the libary and look the fish up, take them to the drop in day and involve everone, should be fun. I have had a planted tank for my daughter 20 odd years ago so Im not against that idea. It was sugested by a pet shop owner that the new costly plastic plants might be better in the long run,the reasons given were that they last forever, and dont need expensive lighting, Im not convinced. Is there a cheaper option to buy from that a local retail store?She has been very helpful, also half the price of my only other local shop.20 neons is her idea for a start . I will have to get any costs passed by the board .I have supplied the tank and filter so hope to get some sort of budget for the rest. Are these Tiger Barbs going to do better on sand or stones?, a mixture of both?. Also do you include a bottom gravel filter as well as the external one?. I have one to hand, is it just more work? so many questions. more to come no doubt.

Hi, I hope to pick your brains as its eight years since I have kept a Aquarium. I live in Hastings and have been a member of the Hawke's Bay Aquarium Society, I used to breed red ears , which is not much help for my current project. I am now trying to set up a 1 metre by 500cm, approx 200 ltrs aquarium for the Hawkes Bay Brain Injury Assocciation in its house / office in Hastings. We have a drop in day once a week attended by around 15 people. I feel that they will all enjoy the tank once I get it set up. So far I have only the tank and large canaster filter. So I have a lot ot do. Im thinking low maintanince, eg small stones, plastic plants, rocks and driftwood. Bright colored active fish, (unkown) and two heaters of 150 watts. Any ideas welcome. There are office staff in the building each weekday for feeding. Thanks for any help Bill.