Question: Got my tank finally set up-ish! What am I missing? (Lots of questions)

[SkollSunChaser]

I say set up-ish because while I finally have a place to put it, I still have no idea exactly what I need. This first post I'll have pictures of the tank and the filter; next will have the lights and stuff.

I have TONS of questions about what I have and what I still need...

1. First off, the tank was sitting in the garage for quite some time, so it's pretty dirty. What can I use that isn't harmful to clean it? We're buying a big jug of simple green cleaning solution here soon, would that be ok? Or do I need to do something else entirely? It's empty and will cycle without fishies, so would cleaning solution work itself out in that time?

2. My filter is frightening all on its own. I have NO idea how to work the thing! I was wondering if the setup this guy says would work; HOW TO SET UP AN EXTERNAL CANISTER FILTER FOR AN AQUARIUM (MEDIA AND FOAM LOCATIONS) - YouTube

3. The tubes on my filter worry me a little; they're full of green stuff and I'm not 100% sure how to put them on the filter itself. How do I clean these, are they even usable, should I just go with new tubes...? If so, is it possible to make some DIY things?

4. Are those sponges ok? They looked a little gross (color) to me, but I could just be paranoid.

5. The other canister filters I've seen just had baskets, not baskets AND the double sided sponge thing. Have you guys seen this before, and does it work well for you?

6. Is there a way for me to test this filter, to see how well it works? Do I need the media first?

7. Spray bar? Considering this filter is for a tank twice the size of mine, I've got a good feeling it's going to put out a serious current. I want to just make my own, but I haven't got a real good idea how.

8. I want to have a planted tank, so I'm going to get some pots and that for them to protect them from the axies. Do your plants live ok in just play sand, and where is a good place to get some?

9. My tank is big (55 gallons), and can hold the number of axies I want. I finally found a breeder who will give me babies relatively smaller than he usually waits to ship his juvies because I'm local. How small should I get my babies and have them be ok in the large tank? I was thinking I would get 2 or 3.


I have more questions, and I'll add another post with more pictures for them.


I learn decently by reading, but what really helps me is SHOWING me. Please, if you have any pictures that you can add to help explain it would help me on an extreme level.

Additional information: My tank is a Truvu 55 gallon. My filter is a Fluval 404, and the top piece for the hoses has been replaced by the previous owner. Thanks everyone in advance!

 

[PatchworkClocks]

1. It's best not to use soap or other chemicals when cleaning an aquarium tank. You can clean the tank with vinegar and hot water, at least that's what I've been told.

2. I have no idea how filters work exactly either, so I can't be any help there.

3. Probably best to get new tubes. The tubes you have are probably pretty worn out by now anyway.

4. Again, no idea how filters work most of the time so...

5. No idea, sorry.

6. I think you can give it a test run by itself first, just to make sure everything runs okay, and then try it with the media and see how it does.

7. A couple solutions I've heard are: 1) tying a shower poof to the filter to disperse the current, and 2) buying a smallish PVC pipe piece (long enough to run across the output of the filter), and drilling holes in it to break up the current.

8. Plants don't do well in just straight sand. You can use potting soil, as long as there's no fertilizers or chemicals added, and just add a layer of sand on top. Keep in mind that your axies are gonna dig up around the plants regardless of what you do to protect them.

9. I got mine at around 4 inches. Anything below that and they'd probably be pretty nippy, at least that's what I've heard.

Hope this helped.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Part 2!

My lighting and stuff.

So, this is the light fixture that came with the tank.I have no idea what the lights mean, or if they would be ok for my tank (I'm trying to go with a heavily planted tank, so lights are actually needed for me.

Are these lights ok? The middle one is blue, and I tried to get a good picture of what it says on the bulbs. The blue one is on a separate power system, so I can use that one with or without the other two.

Lastly! I think...

Pictured below is my boyfriend's executioner helm. It's HUGE, and he wants to display it somehow without it taking up shelf space. He looked at my tank and thought, "You know, that would probably be great for your axolotls to hide in." I couldn't disagree! We wanted to know what it would take to make this safe to put in the tank, because as it is right now it's just a hunk of steel. We don't want it to rust and hurt the axies, so we wanted to know what steps to take to make it work. There are no sharp edges :3

 

[PatchworkClocks]

The holes on that thing don't look very axolotl-friendly. There's been more than a few mishaps people have had here on the site in regards to axolotls getting their limbs stuck in small holes and injuring themselves. Probably best your boyfriend finds another place to put the helmet.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

That sucks :/ Better to know now than when an axie gets hurt though.


I had a thought though; maybe we could take a bit of window screen and put it over the holes? It would really be a shame to not be able to use it, because it seemed like such a good idea. The pictures don't do it justice, the thing is really huge.

 

[PatchworkClocks]

That sucks :/ Better to know now than when an axie gets hurt though.


I had a thought though; maybe we could take a bit of window screen and put it over the holes? It would really be a shame to not be able to use it, because it seemed like such a good idea. The pictures don't do it justice, the thing is really huge.

The eye holes should be fine, but I agree with you, if you really want to use it, you'll need to cover those smaller holes. Also, I found a thread on another forum that should answer your questions about how to waterproof the helmet: Need good paint to seal/prevent rust for metal object UNDERWATER

 

[ChristianV]

My suggestion would be to put a net surrounding the entire helmet, but make sure the holes on the net are very small so a leg, arm, toe, or finger does not get stuck stuck in there

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Heck, if anything I could just cover up the smaller holes with sand to give it buried look (I'll probably double cover it though, I get paranoid about things like that easy). Thank you for the link, I'll have to look into the coating they suggested to see if it's axie safe. The eyes are big enough for sure, the most narrow part is about two of my fingers wide.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

My suggestion would be to put a net surrounding the entire helmet, but make sure the holes on the net are very small so a leg, arm, toe, or finger does not get stuck stuck in there

That's why I was thinking window screen, it's super tiny so I figured it would be perfect.


Any advice for my other things? The other stuff is more of the priority for me, though all the feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[digitalxri0t]

If you'd like and are nearby my area, my friend and I can come by and help you set up your tank. We have a big one running too with a sump similar to that one on our big tank. It's not hard once you get it going. Also to clean out the tank just lots of hot water is never a bad way to go. Usually its just dust that needs a good soaking and some scrubbing with a tank brush.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

That would be awesome D: I live in Newport, so I'm about 40 minutes out of North Spokane so the drive could possibly be a bit much for you guys. I come in to Spokane a lot though for shopping and such.

I'm a bit short on cash at the moment due to having just moved and Newport not having much for jobs, so without that I'm not sure how far I can really get to be honest :/

 

[digitalxri0t]

I think in my friends car once we have a bit of money to put gas in it we could make a brief trip out when youre ready to get the tank going. Id advise some feeder fish from northwest to start the cycle a bit faster or we may even be able to bring some media from our filter to help get yours started instead. That's usually easier.

Well if you have any questions my friend and I are queens of low cost solutions around here xD So feel free to ask if you ever have any questions and such.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Sounds like a plan :3 I'll definitely keep in touch to try and figure this silly thing out. It just seems so overwhelming!

 

[digitalxri0t]

It's definitely confusing at first but not too terrible once its sorted. Those big filters are really intimidating at first but actually a lot less hassle than HOBs or others in my opinion. Like I said we might be able to come out and give a hand at some point but dont stress too much over it.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Like I said in the first post, I learn a lot better when I can see versus when I read things, so having someone around my area will most certainly make things easier. After it's all set up, I shouldn't have too much more to worry about, other than where I'll put my next tanks

 

[digitalxri0t]

I'm the same way and get rather frustrated trying to read out instructions. Ha...just dont turn into me where everywhere is filled with tanks lol.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

I can't make any promises! So tempting...

 

[digitalxri0t]

I'm always willing to cut some sort of deal lol


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[SkollSunChaser]

Today I picked up a big old bag of playsand at home depot, and was wondering if anyone here had ever used it before? I wasn't scared of it until I saw the little thing that said "DO NOT USE FOR ANYTHING BUT PLAYSAND " If I give it a good rinse, the stuff should still be ok, right?

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Today I picked up a big old bag of playsand at home depot, and was wondering if anyone here had ever used it before? I wasn't scared of it until I saw the little thing that said "DO NOT USE FOR ANYTHING BUT PLAYSAND " If I give it a good rinse, the stuff should still be ok, right?

The main issue people come across when using play sand in their tanks is that it tends to cloud up the water a bit, even when washed thoroughly. That being said, you should wash it as much as possible before you dump it in, but even after that it may still be cloudy. A few water changes should clear it up, though.