Tank review

Temp: 24c

The guppies have been in the tank for nearly 24 hours and seem very lively, happy and eating well.

I have seen fish poo so this should help the plants pick up a bit.

At the moment the water is nice and clear and I feel the filter position and water flow is good.

I have decided I will get a picture backing for the tank. I am not a great fan of them but they do seem to give more depth to the viewing and help the colours of the fish stand out.

Fish added

Today fish have been added to the aquarium purchased from hillfootaquaria

3x female and 1x male £8.50 for 4.

Aquarium Water Check 1

PH7
Temperature: 24.5 C

Plants, clean & ready?

I have cleaned the tank again today and preparing to get some fish tomorrow?!

Not sure about this bit of wood and the plants don't seem to happy yet.

I shall do a ph test in the morning and check the temperature, if all is well fish will be added anew we shall see how we get on.

Filter and oxygen revisited

Up early with baby erin and thinking about water. The pump maybe moving water but if it isn't causing ripples it is just moving brackish water about? I may adjust my filter using the nozzle provided to cause a ripples effect or use the tube provided to suck air in to the filter.

My plants will need this and my fish.

Water change and tidy

Just watched England leave euro 2012 :-( now back to the the aquarium!

Earlier today I decided that rather than 2x buckets for water changes, 1x bucket and 1x plastic watering can would be better!

The bucket to siphon water in to then a watering can to pour the water, gently, back in!

A true eureka moment!

I removed half the water, trimmed plants and reset them, they don't look to healthy but time will tell.

Couldn't have set the timer correctly as realised light I'd still on?!?!?!

Do I need to oxygenate the tank water?

Not sure what to do here, my filter has a tube attached to allow air to enter the water so turned it on this afternoon for a few hours?!

Water changes and forward thinking!

Yesterday I purchased 2x large buckets for water changes. I feel quite in control of this task and have put my brain to good use!

1x bucket can be 3/4 full of tap water for a few days in the garage conditioning itself. The other I can use for syphoning 3/4 of a bucket of water out the tank then use the bucket from the garage to replenish the tank.

Forward Thinking and planning!

2x £1.00 buckets from Wilkinsons to add to total costs so far.

What fish?

I have been perusing the internet to see what is the best starter fish and it will be a family decision, I will report the outcome later......

I am going to show Kirsten this page: http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/easyfish.htm which I feel offer the right choices to start.

Personally I think some livebearerers would be intereseting as in previous tanks I have had they added an air of excitement.

I also think that this small tank is going to be more work than larger ones I have owned over 20 years ago).

There is so much contradicting information on the internet about aquariums.

A simple question like should my heater be horizontal or vertical is not clear in the manufacturers instructions let alone everyone elses opinion?!?!?!

Update:

Guppies and Plateys were decided on and I shall go to a local supplier to view stock.

I intend to buy 1x male and 2x female on Wednesday  next week.

A review of the tank progression will follow soon!

Yet more purchases!

This morning I have made two more purchases which I think will be essential.

1x 7 Day Digital LCD Electronic Plug in Timer Switch 24hr £6.99 inc. postage from eBay. This is for the lighting system so  Ican set it to come on in the morning and go off at night.

1x Digital LCD Display for Fish Aquarium Tank Water Thermometer for £0.99 + £1.99 delivery = £2.98. I guess I can not trust the heater thermostat and it will be important ot keep the temperature correct.

So my running total without fish so far is.................

£90.67 + £2.98 + £6.99 = £100.64

Just planted!

Well here is the tank planted for the first time and probably not the last.

I am sure there will be many changes as  Ilearn about keeping this fish tank!

Added 15ml of Tetra Plantamin to assist the plants in these early stages.

Tank set up and equipment test

Last night I set the tank up, filled with tap water, placed the wood inside and did a PH test = 8 which I thought was quite good without any treatment?!


Please note the colouration of the water is due to the wood colour staining the water.

Equipment purchased

All equipment has arrived and last night I washed and checked the tank and also checked equipment:

Purchased:

1x Aquael Classic Kit Bow 40 from www.seapets.co.uk price: £45.95 inc. delivery
included in kit:
1x Aquael AQn25 Comfort Zone heater
1x Aquael Fanfilter Mini Plus
1x 11W Light kit already fitted in hood.
1x Sachet of flake fish food
1x Sachet of water conditioner
1x "My First Aquarium" Guide
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1x Waterlife Broad Range PH Test Kit  75 tests £5.81
1x Tetra Tetraaqua Aquasafe 100ml £5.10
2x Pettex Roman Gravel Highland Mix 2Kg £7.96
1x Supa Aqua Siphon Set £4.45

The above items were all bought from www.pet-supermarket.co.uk
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1x 18" Tropical Plant Collection from www.java-plants.com £5.95 + £3.95 delivery = £9.40

included:

5x Bacopa Monnieri (foreground)
5x Echinodorus Tenellus (foreground)
5x Ambulia Aquatica (background)
5x Red Ludwigia (mid)
5x Hygro Polysperma (background)
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I have also purchased the piece of bogwood (which has been soaking in water for days to help stop the brown colour stain the aquarium water and Tetra Plantamin. The total was about £12.00 and purchased from www.dobbies.com in Speke.


Total cost to date: £90.67

Reasons for starting a tropical aquarium

I have decided to start a tropical aquarium! I haven't had one for about 10 years now and since the birth of our daugher and a change to our social activities i.e not partying or going out so much now is the time!

I will have a small aquarium and log the set up etc and hope all goes well!