superdon101
Member
- Joined
- 5 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 27
Me and my wife kept fish for a few years, a few years ago. For whatever reason we gave it up, probably as we weren't very well informed and things didn't always go to plan. I am far from an expert but I have done a lot of reading, research and asked a lot of questions.
Fast forward to November, with two young daugthers and Christmas looming....I decided a new set up was a good idea as a surprise present for the wife and kids. Lack of space meant I was looking at smaller 25 litre tanks. I then spotted a Fluval F35 in Maidenhead Aquatics for nearly three times the money I was looking to spend. But, I thought it looked great and felt a much better overall set up than the others i had been looking at. It comes in at 58 litres with dimensions of 38x38x44 cm.
I searched for the best deal I could. RRP was around £350 with most stores online at around £280. I found a local shop which did it for £240, which I was happy with. It comes with a cabinet, a Fluval Nano LED light and a Fluval 106 external filter (which turned out to be a 206 when it arrived).
I then purchased some Seachem Prime, various test kits, some unipac Limpopo sand, tetraplant complete substrate, a TDS meter, purigen and other small items. I also got this rock and wood...
[url=http://postimg.org/image/tl526e9z5/]
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In the week before Xmas, I managed to set up the cabinet, wash the rocks and soak the wood, and have a play with things. But as it was secret present I couldnt do a lot more and this was all done in the shed.
Christmas Eve comes and I have to move the set up into the house ready for the big day. I couldn't set it up in its final location, so had to out in in the basement room to keep it hidden overnight. I out things together quickly to unveil the next morning and came up with this.....
[url=http://postimg.org/image/574e4zsil/]
[/URL]
[url=http://postimg.org/image/6jrj0r5ux/]
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[url=http://postimg.org/image/3lgixcrt7/]
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The rocks and wood were literally just placed in to give an idea of the final look and placed on polystyrene. Any thoughts on the overall look? Like I say little/no thought when into the placement. I also have one more large piece or rock that i didnt put in, a bit larger than the largest piece. I guess i need to play with a few arrangments. I plan to have a gradient in the substrate/sand towards the back and towards the right corner where thr inlet and outlet are.
Then the tank was wrapped...
[url=http://postimg.org/image/usldyhwqp/]
[/URL]
On unwrapping on Xmas morning, my wife was pretty shocked. Mainly because we had agreed not to spend too much this Xmas. I think she new it wasn't cheap. The three year old daughter thought there were insects or a lizard inside, because there was no water. Then she seemed disappointed when I explained there wouldn't be ant fish for a few weeks. I was expecting that though. Anyways, we were in a rush so that was it for Xmas day.
Boxing day, I managed to move the tank into the chosen location. I then was able to spend some time plumbing in the filter properly. All seemed pretty straightforward.
[url=http://postimg.org/image/ew1ca0h4v/]
[/URL]
Over the next few days I am hoping to get the tank cleaned and leak tested, then get the substrate, sand and hardscape in. I then need to choose and order some plants ready to start the fishless cycle next week. Still need some ideas on plant choice but will be using EI ferts and liquid carbon.
As far as fish stock goes, still very much undecided. Maybe CPDs, pygmy Cory's, some shrimp, and some other small fish as well. Again still looking for ideas and researching.
All pretty boring so far probably. But its a start.
Basically I need some thoughts on the layout. Am I heading in the right direction? And I need to order some plants but have no idea what to go with. I will be dosing EI and liquid carbon but am very much a beginner so want easy care plants and don't want to plant too densely. What plants would you put in and where?
Fast forward to November, with two young daugthers and Christmas looming....I decided a new set up was a good idea as a surprise present for the wife and kids. Lack of space meant I was looking at smaller 25 litre tanks. I then spotted a Fluval F35 in Maidenhead Aquatics for nearly three times the money I was looking to spend. But, I thought it looked great and felt a much better overall set up than the others i had been looking at. It comes in at 58 litres with dimensions of 38x38x44 cm.
I searched for the best deal I could. RRP was around £350 with most stores online at around £280. I found a local shop which did it for £240, which I was happy with. It comes with a cabinet, a Fluval Nano LED light and a Fluval 106 external filter (which turned out to be a 206 when it arrived).
I then purchased some Seachem Prime, various test kits, some unipac Limpopo sand, tetraplant complete substrate, a TDS meter, purigen and other small items. I also got this rock and wood...
[url=http://postimg.org/image/tl526e9z5/]
In the week before Xmas, I managed to set up the cabinet, wash the rocks and soak the wood, and have a play with things. But as it was secret present I couldnt do a lot more and this was all done in the shed.
Christmas Eve comes and I have to move the set up into the house ready for the big day. I couldn't set it up in its final location, so had to out in in the basement room to keep it hidden overnight. I out things together quickly to unveil the next morning and came up with this.....
[url=http://postimg.org/image/574e4zsil/]
[url=http://postimg.org/image/6jrj0r5ux/]
[url=http://postimg.org/image/3lgixcrt7/]
The rocks and wood were literally just placed in to give an idea of the final look and placed on polystyrene. Any thoughts on the overall look? Like I say little/no thought when into the placement. I also have one more large piece or rock that i didnt put in, a bit larger than the largest piece. I guess i need to play with a few arrangments. I plan to have a gradient in the substrate/sand towards the back and towards the right corner where thr inlet and outlet are.
Then the tank was wrapped...
[url=http://postimg.org/image/usldyhwqp/]
On unwrapping on Xmas morning, my wife was pretty shocked. Mainly because we had agreed not to spend too much this Xmas. I think she new it wasn't cheap. The three year old daughter thought there were insects or a lizard inside, because there was no water. Then she seemed disappointed when I explained there wouldn't be ant fish for a few weeks. I was expecting that though. Anyways, we were in a rush so that was it for Xmas day.
Boxing day, I managed to move the tank into the chosen location. I then was able to spend some time plumbing in the filter properly. All seemed pretty straightforward.
[url=http://postimg.org/image/ew1ca0h4v/]
Over the next few days I am hoping to get the tank cleaned and leak tested, then get the substrate, sand and hardscape in. I then need to choose and order some plants ready to start the fishless cycle next week. Still need some ideas on plant choice but will be using EI ferts and liquid carbon.
As far as fish stock goes, still very much undecided. Maybe CPDs, pygmy Cory's, some shrimp, and some other small fish as well. Again still looking for ideas and researching.
All pretty boring so far probably. But its a start.
Basically I need some thoughts on the layout. Am I heading in the right direction? And I need to order some plants but have no idea what to go with. I will be dosing EI and liquid carbon but am very much a beginner so want easy care plants and don't want to plant too densely. What plants would you put in and where?
