neviden Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Good morning, I have had a small 15L tank running for a few months with tetras but have recently bought a 160L tank & stand from TM as I couldn't resist. Hopefully it should be easier to keep temperature more constant with a larger tank. I shall put up some pictures of the tank later this afternoon but its approx 925 Length x 55 Wide I've fixed up the stand and given it a nice paint, now ready to start getting everything else (plants, rocks, wood etc) so I can fill it up with water. There are loads of different topics on which filters, substrate, rocks and plants to use that I have found but I just am struggling to find what might be the easiest for the beginner. Could anyone give any suggestions to what things I might need to get set-up? Plants - Something hardy, Low - Medium light? Quite like a fairly planted tank but dont mind that it might be slow growing. I have a Aqua One T8 30W double light as seen here: http://bit.ly/18DsBlR Heater - I have a 150W Jebo, Would this be sufficient or would it be better to have another 150W for the other end of the tank? Filter - I like the canister filters, I've seen various types with a big range in price and I'm happy to pay a little more if that means Its not going to be springing leaks all over the floor. My current ideas are Eheim Classic 2213, Fluval 206 or something like a Sunsun seen here: http://bit.ly/13btxVC Fish - Looked at Otos as they are small and I can have a few. Would like to incorporate the Tetras I have right now in the tank along with another type of fish (possibly bigger) but maybe that schools also? As for substrate, I have no idea - Is there any recommended stuff that's easy and I don't need to worry about multiple layers of different product. I prefer not to use sand, as I'd like something dark. Will probably find a nice piece of drift wood to stick some moss or plant on as well to give the tank a more natural look. And any other suggestions that might help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoFishing Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Hiya Neviden. Sounds quite exciting for you. Did you have a budget in mind of how much you want to spend? I have found this hobby can cost quite a lot if you let it. Just wood and plants alone can add up to quite a lot depending on how you approach it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Firstly Hello! and Welcome How high is your tank, 30cm? Those lights you have are great lights! You will be able to grow plants like Java fern, Anubias, Dwarf Sag, Cryptocoryne sp. (Crypts), Ambulia, Amazon Swords Java moss and christmass moss. That heater should be fine. (someone want to add on this!?!) Filter: The Sunsun in that link will be fine for you tank. if possible get a slightly bigger one. Eheim 2213s are over rated! Fish: A nice big school of 20 or so tetras will look really awesome! Along with maybe a dwarf cichlid (a blue ram Pair?). There are also Dwarf gourami, Hatchet fish, dwarf chain loaches, Cory catfish, plecos, the list goes on. Go to Hollywood Fish Farm they will be able to point out to you all the right types of fish that will be suitable to you. I suggest you start out with some simple fish and slowly add more fish to your aquarium after you have cycled it. Also ottos are great algea eaters, but to avoid algae in your tank it pays to have good water flow in your tank (try have all the leaves moving). Substrate: There is a substrate called midnight black which is a fine grit and is really good to plant in. If you are not wanting to do multiple layers of substrate You can use JBL Root Balls. Also look into a topic called Aquascaping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 @NoFishing - Thanks for your reply. I don't have a set budget but of course would rather not pay for the most expensive products, although saying that if it means it is going to break or stop working in a week compared to a year then I would rather pay more. I have spent now about $150 on the tank and stand, along with about another $100 on paint so as far as I can see it hasn't been to bad compared to the brand new shop setups that could put me back about $600+. This will be a project for me that might take a few weeks to get all of the pieces together @Li@m - Thank you . My tanks height is about 60cm and I was told by the person I purchased it from it holds about 160L. I have seen that tetras can be either eaten or fin nipped by some of the other bigger fish? Well on the subject of Hollywood FF - I purchased tetra's from them (8 in total) and they said that having 2 of each type of tetra to a total of 8 would be ok - but it seems this is not true and tetra's need a school of about 6+ to be happy? So right now we have 1 Rummy Nose tetra (other one got out), 2 glowlight tetra, 2 neon tetra, 2 ember. I don't want to forget about the other little tetras so I want them to fit into a nice new home, from the fish I have right now would you suggest its a good idea to get maybe another 6-8 of each type that I already have? So that would total 8-10 Glowlight tetra, 8-10 Neon Tetra, 8-10 Ember Tetra, 8-10 Rummy Nose tetra = total of about 32 - 40 tetra? Would that be to many or possibly OK if I slowly stock up over time? As for substrate as a beginner I think it would be easier if I just get a all in one so I don't need to worry about different layers as that sounds quite complicated with ammonia that could be released if the lower layer gets exposed etc. & I'll have a look more into aqua scaping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discusguru Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Tetra are better off in group of 6 or more. The bigger the group the better.10 is a good start. They should be ok in the 160ltrs tank with good filter and water change. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Would it be right to say that the person at HFF was wrong by telling me that different tetras can school with each other? (mine do not) As I would have thought there would need to be at least 6 of the same type of tetra, not 6 different types of tetras? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Tetras that don't look the same won't shoal together, it's best to get a large group of a single species so pick your favourite and use "feature fish" for variation and added interest. Also, a larger school gives a better effect than a few groups of different species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoFishing Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Also, a larger school gives a better effect than a few groups of different species. :gopo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I am planning to automate the light in the tank, do you have any ideas what timer/switch for power to use so I can for example have the power turn on for the light at 1PM and turn off at 8PM. What would you recommend for how long I should have my lights on for if I have these lights: http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/deta ... le/m/2660/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I currently run four of these timers, about to set up another 2 shortly. They can be a little tricky to use initially but once you learn how they work they're brilliant. Start with 6hrs and up it to 8-10 if you are free of algae issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Thanks. I'll be picking up some of those timers this week and will start setting up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 A little late but better than never I guess. I would go a second heater. A minimum of 1 watt per litre of water but better to go 1.5 per litre otherwise if your house is cold or crafty or the weather is particularly cold the heater you have will be on a lot of the time trying to keep up. If your tank is 60cm deep the T8 light will only penetrate to about half that depth. Also if it is 60cm then with the other measurements it holds around 300 litres. At 60cm deep you will need to go T5 lighting if you want anything other than mosses and ferns to grow. Some tetra will mixed school but a few groups larger than 2 will give a much better effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 A little late but better than never I guess. I would go a second heater. A minimum of 1 watt per litre of water but better to go 1.5 per litre otherwise if your house is cold or crafty or the weather is particularly cold the heater you have will be on a lot of the time trying to keep up. If your tank is 60cm deep the T8 light will only penetrate to about half that depth. Also if it is 60cm then with the other measurements it holds around 300 litres. At 60cm deep you will need to go T5 lighting if you want anything other than mosses and ferns to grow. Some tetra will mixed school but a few groups larger than 2 will give a much better effect. I ended up going with 2 150w heaters, and on remeasuring the tank my guess was quite a bit off. Its 92cm length by height of 47cm by 38cm width. Right now i'm cycling the tank but have to try get rid of the Tannin from my wood, it was too big to boil :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Fish love the tannins, it's us who don't always like the effect. Soak it in the bath - I did this once for 3 weeks and I was not popular with the rest of the family. 47cm high is suitable for the type of plants you were talking about, with the lighting you have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Fish love the tannins, it's us who don't always like the effect. Soak it in the bath - I did this once for 3 weeks and I was not popular with the rest of the family. 47cm high is suitable for the type of plants you were talking about, with the lighting you have I guess now I hope i had a bath, maybe I'll just put up with it as once the lights are going (I've got them set on a timer now for late afternoon) its hardly noticeable. I planted with some Java Moss, Amazon Sword, Star Grass, Ambulia & some other stuff I don't know the names of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr A Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 I planted with some Java Moss, Amazon Sword, Star Grass, Ambulia & some other stuff I don't know the names of. Best way to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviden Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 This is currently what my tank looks like just after it was set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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