Hi everyone!
Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Matt, 23 from Worcestershire, UK!
I came across the forum after scrolling the internet and thought this would be the best place for me to find the answers to any questions I had and to also share my setup once it is complete!
So, I used to keep tropical fish (guppies, mollies, angles, pleco etc), gold fish and turtles when I was younger and living with my parents but I had to sell these when I went to uni as no one could look after them.
However, now that I have moved out and have my own place I decided I wanted to venture into the art of fish keeping again!
I wanted to get a larger tank than my previous 45cm one. I went to a shop and asked for a quote and was surprised at the cost of it, however they had a deal that they could offer me on a larger tank... which I went for!
I have ordered, and will be made by mid February a 84" x 24" x 24" tank with metal frame, with sliding glass covers and no lid (just under 800litres)
I would really like to create a planted community aquarium/aquascape after watching numerous videos on YouTube, including aquascape and George Farmer.
If you've read this far, then you may be interested and able to help me as I post questions, progress pictures etc of this tank build
I've got a few things on my shopping list to buy between now and getting the tank so i will list these below:
Heater
For this I am planning on getting 2x 400w (or 1x 500w and 1x 300w) with a wavemaker to distribute the heat around the tank.
If anyone has recommendations for the best internal ones that are energy efficient then that would be appreciated
Filter
For this I am unsure yet, but will be wanting an external filter that will be capable of providing the best quality filtration without spending a ridiculous amount of money!
If anyone has recommendations for the best internal ones that are energy efficient then that would be appreciated
Lighting
For this, I am wanting LED lights preferably due to running costs. But I am unsure what requirement of light or wattage is required for a planted tank of this size.
I remember having special lighting for my turtles in the past but I have no idea what I would need for the tropical fish or the plants.
Plants
I would like a planted aquarium, with easy to grow plants that aren't just going to die and that don't require co2.
Substrate
I would like to have a white sand substrate as I think this will look best against a black background and the green plants in my head. However reading online there appears to be issues with fine white sand, so I would be interested in a slightly courser white sand.
Would anyone recommend a substrate/aquatic soil to go under the sand to provide a long term place for the plants to properly root? I don't really want to be introducing fertilizers all the time due to expense and it not really being a natural or easy to keep setup then if that makes sense. I plan to have a plastic mesh between the two layers to stop them from mixing too much.
And then the recommended thickness of the soil and sand
Hardscape
Again, I will be looking for inspiration for what type to go for, and what will suit the fish I want. But due to the size I think this will be a pretty big tank to aquascape as a complete novice but I like a challenge! (as long as i am not endangering the life quality/health of the fish)
Fish
I am looking really to have a lot of smaller fish in a community tank. So I'd like to have a broad variety of colours, sizes, breeds etc with no preference to any.
Below are the types that I have thought of so far - I would preferably like to get a male and female of each (or the correct ratio) to encourage the chances of breeding. I would really like to be able to breed the fish as its something I've always wanted to do, so if you have any advise on this or how to encourage them then that would great
The list I have come up with so far is: (But if anyone would suggest any other exciting community fish and where to source them then fire away)
Guppies
Mollies
Platies
Annaplebs
Zebra danios
Rosy red minnows
Sword tails
Killifish
Gourami
Betta – only one male
Pleco - any specific breed?
Rainbowfish
Corydoras
Sorry for the long essay!
If I have missed anything blindly obvious or if anyone has any suggestions/words of wisdom before I spend any more money, all will be gratefully received
Many thanks
Matt
Bump: Forgot to add,
I am also interested in getting cherry shrimp, amano shrimp.
Would any recommend snails at all?
I am also curious about the tropical freshwater lobsters and crabs you can get.
And finally, but I probably wont! But the aquatic frogs that you can buy
It's a big tank and I'd like a variety but id like everything to somewhat get along with each other (not fight), I acknowledge that some (shrimp) will become food!
Any reason why anyone would not recommend getting any of the above would be appreciated
Cheers
Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Matt, 23 from Worcestershire, UK!
I came across the forum after scrolling the internet and thought this would be the best place for me to find the answers to any questions I had and to also share my setup once it is complete!
So, I used to keep tropical fish (guppies, mollies, angles, pleco etc), gold fish and turtles when I was younger and living with my parents but I had to sell these when I went to uni as no one could look after them.
However, now that I have moved out and have my own place I decided I wanted to venture into the art of fish keeping again!
I wanted to get a larger tank than my previous 45cm one. I went to a shop and asked for a quote and was surprised at the cost of it, however they had a deal that they could offer me on a larger tank... which I went for!
I have ordered, and will be made by mid February a 84" x 24" x 24" tank with metal frame, with sliding glass covers and no lid (just under 800litres)
I would really like to create a planted community aquarium/aquascape after watching numerous videos on YouTube, including aquascape and George Farmer.
If you've read this far, then you may be interested and able to help me as I post questions, progress pictures etc of this tank build
I've got a few things on my shopping list to buy between now and getting the tank so i will list these below:
Heater
For this I am planning on getting 2x 400w (or 1x 500w and 1x 300w) with a wavemaker to distribute the heat around the tank.
If anyone has recommendations for the best internal ones that are energy efficient then that would be appreciated
Filter
For this I am unsure yet, but will be wanting an external filter that will be capable of providing the best quality filtration without spending a ridiculous amount of money!
If anyone has recommendations for the best internal ones that are energy efficient then that would be appreciated
Lighting
For this, I am wanting LED lights preferably due to running costs. But I am unsure what requirement of light or wattage is required for a planted tank of this size.
I remember having special lighting for my turtles in the past but I have no idea what I would need for the tropical fish or the plants.
Plants
I would like a planted aquarium, with easy to grow plants that aren't just going to die and that don't require co2.
Substrate
I would like to have a white sand substrate as I think this will look best against a black background and the green plants in my head. However reading online there appears to be issues with fine white sand, so I would be interested in a slightly courser white sand.
Would anyone recommend a substrate/aquatic soil to go under the sand to provide a long term place for the plants to properly root? I don't really want to be introducing fertilizers all the time due to expense and it not really being a natural or easy to keep setup then if that makes sense. I plan to have a plastic mesh between the two layers to stop them from mixing too much.
And then the recommended thickness of the soil and sand
Hardscape
Again, I will be looking for inspiration for what type to go for, and what will suit the fish I want. But due to the size I think this will be a pretty big tank to aquascape as a complete novice but I like a challenge! (as long as i am not endangering the life quality/health of the fish)
Fish
I am looking really to have a lot of smaller fish in a community tank. So I'd like to have a broad variety of colours, sizes, breeds etc with no preference to any.
Below are the types that I have thought of so far - I would preferably like to get a male and female of each (or the correct ratio) to encourage the chances of breeding. I would really like to be able to breed the fish as its something I've always wanted to do, so if you have any advise on this or how to encourage them then that would great
The list I have come up with so far is: (But if anyone would suggest any other exciting community fish and where to source them then fire away)
Guppies
Mollies
Platies
Annaplebs
Zebra danios
Rosy red minnows
Sword tails
Killifish
Gourami
Betta – only one male
Pleco - any specific breed?
Rainbowfish
Corydoras
Sorry for the long essay!
If I have missed anything blindly obvious or if anyone has any suggestions/words of wisdom before I spend any more money, all will be gratefully received
Many thanks
Matt
Bump: Forgot to add,
I am also interested in getting cherry shrimp, amano shrimp.
Would any recommend snails at all?
I am also curious about the tropical freshwater lobsters and crabs you can get.
And finally, but I probably wont! But the aquatic frogs that you can buy
It's a big tank and I'd like a variety but id like everything to somewhat get along with each other (not fight), I acknowledge that some (shrimp) will become food!
Any reason why anyone would not recommend getting any of the above would be appreciated
Cheers