Starting a 2ft Tank and need help.

[georgelam]

Hi everyone,

I recently inherited a 2ft tank and stand. Though it is old, i have tested it for leaks and found none. I am inspired by Tom Barr's method of setting up a low tech non CO2 tank. To make the tank as self sustaining and low maintainance as possible. There is also a matter of budget. Is it possible to keep it under 2 blue notes? I am still a poor student without much spending power. This may seem like a lot to ask for a first tank but i want to give it a shot and require as much help i can get.

I also want to cycle the tank properly. However many cycling articles ask me to use substrate or filter media from established tanks. But i have none. Will throwing in fish food really work? Or should i use beneficial bacterial to start the cycling.

Lights: Please recommend

Filter : External filter? I have seen many people supporting the ehiem 2213 however it is a bit out of my price range. Hangover filter might be too noisy as the tank will be in my room. I am deciding if i should invest in a external canister (maybe secondhand) or just go with a simple sponge or internal filter.

Tank specs: 60cmx30cmx36cm, Regular Metal stand

CO2 system : No Co2 as it will be a low tech tank

Substrate : ADA amazonia. Will one 9l bag be enough?

Plants :I am not really well verse in plants either but base on what i have read, easy growing plants for low tech tank include nanas, mini nanas, moss, java fern, wisteria. I am also interested in growing a glossy carpet. Is there others i can look out for?

I know this is a lot to ask. But I would appreciate any advice or tell me if i am too far from reality. Thanks.

[Urban Aquaria]

Since you already have the tank and stand, half of the start-up cost is already covered... so you'll just need the filter, lights and substrate (and some plants). Keeping the overall budget under $100 is possible in this case, as you are going for a low-tech setup.

A 9 Liter bag of ADA Amazonia aquasoil will be sufficient for your tank dimensions and costs around $38-$40 (just check at LFS that carry ADA products like Polyart, C328, Y618 or Fishybusiness etc), so that leaves you around $60 for the filter and lights. You could look at cheaper brands like Shiruba or ISTA or Up Aqua, they have a selection of small canister filters that cost between $40-$60

Alternatively, you could just camp at the forum trading section and look out for people selling 2nd hand Eheim canister filters, sometimes you can find the older used 2213 or similar models going at good prices too.

You'll still need a set of good lights. Low-tech setups don't require strong lights, so moderate wattage is sufficient. To keep under budget, you'll probably have to look at T5 lightsets and a 2nd hand unit will save you some cost.

The plants you mentioned are relatively easy to grow and can do well in a non-Co2 injected tank.

If you are using ADA Amazonia aquasoil as the tank substrate, it will already release lots of ammonia initially which will feed the beneficial bacteria and start cycling the tank (no need to add fish food or other stuff). Try to plant as densely as possible from the start so that the plants can help take up excess nutrients.

Dosing bottled bacteria solutions can help speed up the cycle, but note that those are usually just a stop gap measure to maintain a temporary cycle so that you can add fishes quickly... the actual beneficial bacteria that will sustain a long-term cycle still takes time to multiply and grow so you'll have to keep close watch on the parameters to make sure the accelerated temporary cycle doesn't lapse in the meantime.

Hope that helps!

[thebaldingaquarist]

Filter - camp at buy sell.. Range from 120 for a 2217 or 35 for a jebao, 20 for up hang on canister.

Soil - Ada..38 to 40 for 9l bag

Plants - camp buy sell.. A number of people giving plants. Cost will be your transport cost..

Hardscape - approx. $50 for one piece driftwood or small rocks.

Lights - cheapest is to camp at buy sell for a second hand 2ft pl or t5ho. Range from 20 to 30?

Under $100 is very possible!!

[georgelam]

Thanks Urban Aquaria and Eric. The information is really useful. and encouraging. Time to put this plan into motion and camp the trading forum. hopefully i will gather everything quickly and set up for cycling soon.

By the way i was intending to leave out the hardscape like rocks and drift wood. Except those with the nana attached so there will be more space for the fish to swim. Is this advisable?

[Urban Aquaria]

By the way i was intending to leave out the hardscape like rocks and drift wood. Except those with the nana attached so there will be more space for the fish to swim. Is this advisable?

You can try a "dutch" style aquascape... those type of layouts just focus on arranging neat rows and dense groups of plants only, without any rock or wood hardscape.

Here is a useful dutch-style setup guide for reference: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...t.php?sid=4627

Its also a good opportunity to grow lots of different plants and observe their various stages of growth too.

[georgelam]

Thats an interesting idea. I might go for it. Only thing is i am new to plants so i don't really know much caring for them. i will try out easier plants first based on what google tells me.