Very new... To fishkeeping

@MariaS .OMG....your tank is so awesome. One day...the bug has bitten.

Thanks for replying to me.

 

Hi @BradK

My tank with Dark Blue Vinyl

 

Thanks for the options guys...... something else to think about now..

 

Thanks and always a pleasure
Haha yes... the bug bites very quickly..... it's terrible!!

 

Hi guys. Quick one. Im installing a internal canister filter. I'm going to take media from from corner filter and use it there. But I want to save some for my aquafilter 30, for when I install my new tank in a week's time. If intake the remainder media in my corner filter, and seal it with water in a zip lock bag. Can i then use this media in a week or too? The corner filter has too much media for the internal canister.

 

Unfortunately no, the bacteria needs water movement to stay alive. It also needs a source of food.

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Thanks I'll just keep the corner filter in the tank for now.. hooefully the new tank will up next week

 

Guys so the canister filter is in. I love the current in the tank. Sway of the plants. Fish swimming nicely.

I don't want to install the airstone. Do I need it? Will the fish be ok.

 

You can just angle the output of the filter towards the surface to agitate the water, no airstone needed

 

Was kind thinking that...wil give it a shot now.

Is this a good time to do the water change. I usually do it on a Sunday. I got Seachem stability to dose

 

@BradK I trust you have learned a ton!

Just my 2c worth.
Regarding the filters - if you're changing tanks soon (sounds like you'll be using new gravel as well - keep in mind that gravel forms a massive part of your filtration system and can have a major impact on the nitrogen cycle) I would recommend keeping the corner filter and the canister filter in the current tank, then as soon as you've set up the bigger tank, fill it with water (if you're using tap water and not RO then add dechlorinator and wait 12 hours)

Then take the corner filter and put it in the new tank, (keeping the canister on the current one) add some seachem, it won't matter too much with the nitrogen cycle as your corner filter is cycled but it might help to speed it up, then add 1 to 2 of your smallest fish to the new tank after about 2 days,

Start to test the tank, as soon as you stop seeing nitrates then add some more fish, slowly keep adding them (few days apart) then on the last bit you could add your larger fish as well as transferring the canister filter. After 1 week of both filters running in the new tank you can be safe to remove the corner filter. There are quicker ways but this is by far the safest - some would even recommend waiting 1-2 weeks before adding a single fish, but since you already have a cycled filter I believe that could do more harm than good. (filter bacteria could die off causing an ammonia spike, an increase in nitrates and then stablalising - simulating the cycle but in reality leaving you with very little benifitial bacteria and now adding fish on top of that!)

Finaly regarding the background - before committing to any color I would suggest trying a more temporary solution (I like the black personaly) and have used a large A1 black paper (baught it at spar) and just press sticked it to the glass here's a pic of how that looks - I do like the dark blue idea and after 1 year of black I will now try the dark blue and see what that looks like before I commit to painting - that is if I will ever paint.

Cheers and welcome to the hobby - you'll always be the student! But that's the fun part.

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Morning guys thanks for the feedback. Your thoughts and advice is highly appreciated.
.I'm still leaning towards the black for now .

And wow I'm so happy with the new filter. It's an old filter and I didn't expect it to work so well. The water is clearer. And I can't see much floating around in the tank. I used the foam insert, the cotton wool from my corner filter and carbon and stones.

The fish are behaving the same and all is well. The only thing is it as an audible hum and I can't remember if it was there when I first put it. I clearly remember how quiet it was. I did a little moving inside the tank and now I can hear this hum. I need to see if I can make that go away. But I like this filter. I was considering getting another Aquaclear so can have to HOB. But might consider and internal canister filter to go with my Aquaclear 30. What u guys think about that.

I can't wait to see what happens when I use both filters. On the 3 foot. I starting keeping the fish since the middle of October. I lost 5 fish since. But he last 3 weeks was the most stable .Water is fine, the fish are doing well. And no fish died.

I just need to confirm a good light and substrate for the plants for 3 foot. The light I have now has a blue hue to it. I hate it. I like viewing the fish with natural the colour s are just awesome. So please suggest what I should be looking at in a light.

It's so hard to take baby steps now. ..I wish I had space for a 2m or bigger. My wife just asked me how can u look at the same tank for so long. I stood there for an hour lol. It's a just a small 2 foot. .. She asked me what's in there.

 

@BradK ,

Awesome... Glad to hear all is going well.

Its an awesome feeling when it all comes together
As far as filters go, personally, if you add anything I would go with something that sits outside.
With it being a small tank, it leaves you more space in the tank

Im not the best to give advice about lights but the daylight globes give a more natural colour
The substrate I think depends on if you want to go high-tech or low-tech.

The easy to grow plants will be ok in PFS with root tabs, the fussier ones will need something better

Hahhaa.. when the bug bites.. and the wife starts looking too... you usually end up finding space for that 2m tank!!

 

^^
I will like to go low tech. So substrate and plants along that line.

And what's PFS and what day light glibgl. LED of which I prefer or normal ones.

Hey the wife still giving me hard time...lol. if she only know the plans I have.

 

PFS= pool filter sand

 

@BradK
You should send a photo of the tank. We would love to see it

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Im not ready yet ...soon

 

Hi Guys

So you guys mention PFS - Pool filter sand. I see its very cheap.
Where in Durban is a good place to buy it?
Is there anything special I need to do to clean it, beside rinse?
Do they come in different colours?

Second question.
I want to add Seachem Purigen or Seachem Matrix to my filters.
Which one? Or Both?
Should I add the same to both filters. Or Matrix in one and Purigen to the other?

3rd Question
Flourish Tabs.... thumbs up...thumbs down
I want those flowy one. Jungle Val?(googled) and the swords plants
Are these OK for beginner only using Flourish tabs.

Thanks guys. I know i have alot of questions. Google gives alot of info which helps me understand. But i also like local advice and products and names are sometimes different.

 

What substrate is that?

 

Hi

It's Pfs, (pool filter sand)

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