aer0 Posted June 12, 2013 Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 This is my workplace fishtank Its around 50l, its a nice glass tank, i dont know what type of glass but its utlra clear and really nice, its finished well with black silicon. At the moment ive got a 30cm t5 light with a sunglow tube, im going to build my own replacement LED array to replace this one day soon, but for now its ok. Im running a Boys EF-05 external mini canister filter, its designed to work for tanks upto 100 litre I think so being on a 50l tank its going to be just fine for me, I dont think i'd personally trust it on anything bigger than 50l. its got a large foam secion and a second section with a bag of ceramic rings and a bag of activated carbon - I love how the carbon leave the water super crisp. Its got my spare jebo heater in at the moment, my previous was on the fritz so was removed, ill be replacing the jebo with an ehiem E series soon. Im running a white silica sand bed, quite deep... I like the look and its not that hard to keep clean... loads of rock/caves for the fish, some coral rock/river pebbles and some other types of rock. Light planting, 3 plants that are constantly being attacked by my fish... i don't know what type of plants they are. They are not in the best condition really but I wanted to try use them to keep the nitrate levels down along with providing a bit of a tankscape. This tank is supposed to be light entertainment/distraction for me at work, Its got some juvie Cichlids in it, a revolving bunch of fish as they get bigger im moving them on to my 400l Cichlid tank at home. This is the tank in live action, running an old filter: And this is the tank as at today. My two Electric Yellows One Two And the Three plants One Two Three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Any feedback at all? any suggestions for the tank going forward? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@. Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Nice! ive got a tank at work and love it! very nice of our employers to let us waste their electricity! If it was me I would try adding a bit of height to the scape, but I dont have Cichlids, so dont know if that works with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 yeah i'd love to add height, any suggestions how i can? i dont want to add a large driftwood trunk as this has a tendency to alter the PH away from where it site now, its quite stable as the tank stands now. what else could I use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Build a bigger structure with rocks, or a rock pile. Putting a backgroud on may also help that feeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Build a bigger structure with rocks, or a rock pile. good thinking, i might do that... might get into the landscaping shop over the weekend for some more flat schist or similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGilberg Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 ive never kept Cichlids, but isnt a bit on the small side for yellows and dems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 ive never kept Cichlids, but isnt a bit on the small side for yellows and dems? This tank is supposed to be light entertainment/distraction for me at work, Its got some juvie Cichlids in it, a revolving bunch of fish as they get bigger im moving them on to my 400l Cichlid tank at home. its a "grow out" tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgustipated Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 maybe some fert balls down in the sand by the plants would help the plants look a bit greener. a twiggy piece of driftwood would help to add height to the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGilberg Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 its a "grow out" tank forgive my ignorance :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 forgive my ignorance :oops: all good i have a tendancy to rant maybe some fert balls down in the sand by the plants would help the plants look a bit greener. a twiggy piece of driftwood would help to add height to the tank. good thinking on the fert balls, can i buy small quantities anywhere? i dont have any planted tanks other than this so dont need loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Definitely needs some height. Maybe just a few bits of driftwood reaching from the top to the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 the silica sand will probbaly stop your plants from growing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 all good i have a tendancy to rant good thinking on the fert balls, can i buy small quantities anywhere? i dont have any planted tanks other than this so dont need loads JBL balls in packs of 7 can be purchased from most LFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Ok thanks, Im going to LFS tomorrow to return a faulty heater so will check for some JBL products I was of the understanding silica sand was good for plant growth? oh well all good... Ill see how the fert goes. I think the tank needs a black background and better lighting too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 I was of the understanding silica sand was good for plant growth? It's really not. The grain size is too fine for the plants roots, they'll probably grow but it'll be much more difficult for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 The Africans are most likly to rip and pull at your plants so I would avoid them if I was you. Try some java ferm or anubius (?) much slower groing but cichlids tand to leave them alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 JBL fert balls ordered thismorning from LFS, should arrive next week once they arrive ill be getting some java fern and will give that a shot, am considering getting small pots and filling with some nice plant growing substrte to hide under the sand, making them grow better and harder for the fish to dig at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Java fern doesn't require root fertilization, in fact covering it's roots can hinder growth. Instead, attach it to rocks or driftwood for best results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Java fern doesn't require root fertilization, in fact covering it's roots can hinder growth. Instead, attach it to rocks or driftwood for best results. noted, ill try attach it to the driftwood i have in the tank, ill try potting my other plants thogh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrrick Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have found that my Cichlids do not touch Indian fern (I have it floating, with the roots hanging down, that could add 'height' to you tank, top down !) I want some Anubia, but can't find it anywhere. Otherwise, a plastic fantastic (I assume that is like swearing around here) might do the trick for plants ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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