4ft tank - It begins tomorrow!

C

cori

Guest
After much debate, late night researching and worry my new tank will begin tomorrow!

I bought my 4ft tank of ebay for $50.

Next was the filter, my goodness did that take forever to decide! But in the end I bought an Ehiem 2213 classic cannister filter off ebay for $95. I ended up reading almost every single review and piece of information on all the major brands of aquarium filters right down to specific model. Phew what a task! In the end the 2213 seemed the best option.

I also pick up my stand which is about $100.

It's going to be so hard waiting for it to cycle fully, but because my current tank already has a great bacteria colony I am hoping to speed the process up just a little bit!

Was also looking at some mangrove roots on ebay, one guy here in Australia has all sorts of weird shapes they're a little bit pricey... but nothing is too good for my axie's!

Any idea's for decorating such a big tank?
The main thing will be the mangrove root or driftwood, going to get a really big unusual piece.

Regards Eastern_axle
 
Well the new tank is up and running.

I have put my current waterfall filter on the tank to try and help clear it up as with this tank I have decided to use sand and it has made the tank very murky, i've also got a few danio's in there to aid cycling. I will pick up some aquatic plants to put in there as well.

I've never used sand before so does anyone have any idea's to help clear it up? I bought "washed sand" from bunnings the packet said it was ok for sand-pits hoping it's ok.

Also i noticed that my tank has a 2mm lean towards the front, I plan on fixing this but would it be ok for a few days?

Regards Eastern_axle
 
tip for sand:

1) pour sand into tank before water

2) place dinner plate ontop of sand

3) pour water onto dinner plate, so the force of the water is dispersed and does not kick up sand

Too easy
happy.gif
 
Yeah! Matthew is right! I tried that every time when doing water changes...I fill the water on top of Olive's cave instead of on top of sand...and the cave bears it, no sand swim up!
 
Bit late for that now, he he he

I used sand-pit sand, I rinsed it countless times but it's still murky hours and hours on.

What filter media would be effective in removing it? Don't think there is much point letting it settle as it would only be stirred up again when my axie's go for their morning run.

Regards Eastern_axle

P.s - how do I speed up cycling? I am getting impatient lol
 
dont worry about the sand i use play-pit sand to and it was murky for about 2 days then it cleared up and it wont stirre up when the axies go jogging at least mine dosnt.
 
Thanks Natashja,

Still very excited about my new tank, going to pick up some bits and pieces today.

Any thoughts on a product called magi-clear?
Bit hesitant about purchasing.

Regards Eastern_axle

74613.jpg
 
Few hours on and its much better, I bought some magi-clear which is doing wonders, also added 2 goldfish to help cycling. Will keep you all posted.

Regards Eastern_axle
 
did you forget to rinse your sand before applying it in the tank??? I sure hope teh filter is running!
 
I rinsed the sand countless times before putting it in, but we have water restrictions and I didn't want to waste too much water.

I have a small internal filter loaded with filter fibre running and a waterfall filter which is off my current tank, only I have removed the cartridges and replaced them with filter fibre, I have to rinse the fibre every couple of hours but it is working quiet well. I think the sand I bought was the extra dirty kind! he he he

Looking forward to it being clear and adding some drift wood and some plants, there has been a delay in picking up the canister filter but should have it by xmas, hopefully!

Regards Eastern_axle
 
You seem to be doing everything right, keep up the good work!
My sand did the same thing, and was cloudy for two days straight.

Fortunately I'd put the lotl in the spare tank with her filter, and used the spare filter to "polish" the water, so problem was no big issue.

Good look with it, it's looking great!
 
Thanks Amber!

Will post a few more photo's over the next few days as it makes more progress.

Regards Eastern_axle
 
This is about 24 hours later, i'm really happy with how fast it's clearing!

Regards Eastern_axle

74639.jpg
 
It's looking very good!
I wish I had a tank that size, I only have room for two footers at the moment.

One day, one day.
 
Well it's around 48 hours later and this is the result.

Also just noticed in my current tank there a literally millions of little bugs, I have read all the relevant text and I can't seem to identify them, anyone know an eradication process? I can't fish them out with the net they are far too small and there is too many!

Regards Eastern_axle

74681.jpg
 
I think the tank has taken a step backward!
It was very clear this morning, now its gotten quiet cloudy not murky like it was before, more white in colour.
I did remove a few stones from my current tank and put them in the new one, could it be bacteria and that sort of thing?

Would really appreciate some tips on speeding up cycling if there is a way?

Regards Eastern_axle
 
I will post some more pictures soon.

In the mean time I am transferring a few buckets of water a day from my current tank and adding whatever I skim out of the water. Axie's seem very excited, they keep staring out at their new home!

Regards Eastern_axle
 
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