Stumbling back into fishkeeping

Depends on your definition of "proper"

My low-rent first-timer setup consists of

1. 2Kg CO2 fire extinguisher:R1050
2. Cheap(ish) solenoid and regulator: R1275 (I'm satisfied with it)
3. Drop checker + solution :R494 (I was ripped off, do your homework)
4. Temu diffuser kit: R72.
5. Temo CO2 hose: R55 for nearly 5m - EXCELLENT quality and value for money.

The cheap diffuser is the weak link in the setup and its bubble performance is sub-par so I'd recommend getting a branded item - arguably it's the most important component.

 

You're looking at about 2.5k for a setup. Once you've got it though, it'll last you a lifetime. Just the initial output that's a bit pricey.

As @wearsbunnyslippers said, art of aqua in Pretoria is unbeatable. Really worth the trip to just see all their hardscape options and tanks. Plants are a bonus. You can order online too and get it shipped but I'd definitely go for a visit

 

Sorry it's wild on pets in Edenvale not VIP..

 

Hi @ColdS0cial, join the 4M fish (Boksburg) store's WhatsApp group, they normally have pre-order discounts on stock coming in. Very active group with good service. I'm in Edenvale and only buy from them at the moment.

Also check out their Friday night auction, it starts at 19:30 and finishes at about 22:00, they basically go through all their stock, and you can get some real bargains.

 

@wearsbunnyslippers Awesome I'll check those places out, I used to live near Art of Aqua, pity I wasn't into fish back then.

@LukeJHB @LilMissMurder Just above R2.5k is not terrible, I've probably killed R2k worth of plants from just poor nutrition. It's probably also better to get it now than after the VAT hike. I see there are places that do complete kits, you think those are worth it or rather shop around for individual components?

@Jakes Woah man that's neat, thank you for letting me know about it. I wouldn't have known if not for this forum

 

Hi all thought I should update on my progress thus far.

Sadly my betta passed last night, we had an around 24hr power outage in Kempton Park, our inverter couldn't last that long and I'm guessing the temperature plummet shocked my betta's system too much. I'll miss our fish dearly but I hope during his time with us I gave him a good life. I'm just sad I couldn't have completed the aquarium upgrade sooner.


I did manage to get myself an 82L tank and am busy in the process of doing a dark start. It's so much bigger than I thought it was going to be but I decided to go full aquasoil so I can do a heavily planted tank. I guess with my betta's passing I don't need to rush the cycling and and just keep it going until the tank is in a good spot.

One question though about the dark start, I did us old filter media and substate to hopefully speed things along, I also have a monstera in the water hopefully sucking up all the excess nutrients. Most guides say after the dark start is completed to drain the tank, plant and then fill it up again, is there any harm in not draining the tank and just planting directly?



Oh and when I do finish setting up this tank I would like to have a betta again, are there any stores that you guys know of that have healthy and humanely kept bettas?
I'd like to pick one in person if possible so anywhere in Pretoria, Joburg, Centurion I'm willing to travel to when I'm ready.

 

I'm sorry about your fish

That's a pretty nice cube you have there!

 

the rock in your cube reminds me of an easter island statue, moai

 

Can't unsee it now. A Julius Ceasar moai.

 

Love the new setup. Definitely following along to see it's progress

What's the reasoning behind going with a dark start?

 

the reason for the dark start is that there is lot of nutrients leaching into the water, as well as some plant leaves that melt into the water, so your filter might have matured enough to be helping with the ammonia, but you want to change the water to get rid of tannins, melted leaves and whatever else will feed that algae once the lights come on..

 

Hello there, back with my irregular updates.

Went to Art of Aqua and got some plants, amazing place and people there also very helpful.
Transferred my hardscape and plants to the new tank, luckily no algae formed during the dark start, but you can see the thick biofilm on the wood.
@LukeJHB I went dark start because it seemed the easiest method, also I live on the 2nd floor and I hate the idea of pouring all the water changes down the drain instead of watering the garden, so I guess it's lazy and water saving method.


Did basically a 90% water change, while doing so I was trying to figure out hardscape configuration.
@wearsbunnyslippers @LilMissMurder the moai rock is actually 3 epic stones super glued on top of each other, I hated it but I'm glad other people seem to like it.



While the tank was semi-empty of water my gf and I went ahead and started planting.
Filled up the tank and letting the plants settle in, hopefully not too many melt.
I doubt all the plants will survive but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Gf insisted on the monte carlo so let's hope and see it actually grows.
Some survivors of the previous tank seem to like the new scape.



For now I intend to leave things and see how the plants react, eventually the plan is amano shrimp, then otos, then pygmy corys and finally a new betta. And when I'm brave enough adding CO2 to the setup.

I have 2 questions:
1. If I add rasboras in along with the above list will I be overstocking?
2. I've read horror stories about fish introducing diseases into tanks and killing everything. I've never done a quarantine tank before but is it something I should do to be extra safe?

I'd like to also shout out Fish for Africa in Pomona (Kempton) nice store and friendly employees, and Jadies aquatic gems in Lynnwood (PTA) beautiful beautiful bettas they have.

 

i have first hand experience with adding new fish, and killing a lot of your existing fish, so i quarantine everything now..

 

^^^^

What he said.

 

That tank is looking great. Can't wait to watch it fill in. I'm glad you made the trip to AoA, it's a stunning store.

I think you can safely get away with adding some rasbora to that stocking list too

 

Save and make the plunge to CO2! I've had low tech planted tanks for about 5 years now and the difference with CO2 in 2 and a half weeks is astronomical.

Can still have a stunning low tech tank, but if CO2 is an option, I highly recommend it

 

Thanks for the replies, I have looked online regarding quarantining fish and the opinions are quite split.
What are your quarantining methods, because there's the preemptive medication group, aquarium salt group and wait and see group? Then within the medication group there's a bunch of meds either can't get my hands on or have no idea what they talking about lol.

@LukeJHB Oh believe you me the CO2 is inevitable, I saw the explosion of growth in your tank so I imagine mine would fill up nicely with the CO2 inclusion.

 

i'm the wait and see group, just a tank with no decoration, the water turned up to 27-28 and a bit of salt in the water, leave them in there for a week or so, and then into my main tank

 

Hi there been a while since my last update.

Wanted to just show off the tank and thank everyone for their input, it's coming along nicely.

Made a lid so I'm not losing so much water to evaporation everyday, also upgraded the light to Chihiros WRGB II Slim


Our new alien blue betta Bernoulli


Tank so far

Livestock:
- 1x Alien blue betta
- 5x Amano shrimp
- 6x Pygmy corydoras
- 6x Celestial Danios
- don't know if if the blue shrimp are doing well but did see one recently

Decided to keep it low tech for now but maybe eventually will go high tech.
But so far no deaths or any complications so everything seems stable.

I am starting to have some cyanobacteria and algae issues, any advice on keeping those in check?