Hello! Simon from Birmingham

[Simon B]

Hi everyone!

Just thought I'd check in here and say "hello!" having just signed up.

A brief bit about me: I've kept marine tanks for a fair few years, and - to be honest - always thought planted tanks were a bit ... boring. However, I came across a certain Mr George Farmer's YouTube channel the other day, and boy was I wrong! I can't believe how far technology has come in freshwater since I last strayed into that section of the LFS!

Anyway ... I've been completely bitten by the bug, and am thinking about setting up two freshwater tanks over the next few months. The first will be a cheapish trial version to see how I get on - I'm thinking of getting a cheap all-in-one system like the Superfish 60 or 80, and setting up a simple planted tank, maybe dosing liquid CO2, maybe trying out a cheapish CO2 gas system - and keeping maybe 3 dwarf puffers. Then, if all goes well, I'd love to try my hand, with some nicer kit, at some sort of Iwagumi. They're amazing, and I had no idea it was even a thing!

Anyway, I'm afraid I have lots of questions - I've only ever cycled a tank with live rock, so I'm out of my depth from the get go, and feeling exactly like I did when I first got those books on marine fishkeeping from the library fifteen years ago and being absolutely baffled by it all!

Hope to make your acquaintances and get any help I can to up a safe, nice environment for the fish in due course!

Very best,

Simon

 

[Kalum]

Hi Simon, welcome along. I did exactly the same as you are thinking and started with a Superfish Home 60 at xmas and am already moving on from it and will be shutting it down over the next couple of weeks when my new tank is up and running. They are great wee all in one tanks but do have their limitations so it's all down to what you want from it.

If you just want to try and see if you like keeping a freshwater tank and are 50/50 then it's a good trial tank and tbh a good tank overall if you want a contained easy setup. But if you think it will grow arms and legs and you're going to stick with freshwater then i'd skip and go more advanced from the start to save money longer term. By that i mean get a simple glass tank with external filter and heater etc... and a light isn't built in so you can use on other tanks in the future. Then as you grow or change the equipment can still be used and added to if needed and doesn't become redundant.

 

[Simon B]

Hi Kalum - thanks for that - I know deep down that's absolutely spot on advice! Part of me knows that eventually I'll transfer these dwarf puffers to a 45cm cube ADA tank with TMC stand, external filter and glass pipes or something! I'm just a bit wary that I haven't a clue what I'm doing yet, and I know whatever "nice" tank I bought at this stage, I'll wish further down the line that I got another one! I'm sort of viewing the Superfish as, yes, a guaranteed "waste" of 200 quid a few months down the line once it's all set up, but at least a known quantity!

That said, my first marine tank was an "all in one" job, and it was the most expensive fishkeeping mistake I've ever made!

I'll have another think and price-up of everything!

 

[Kalum]

I totally get it mate I was in the same position with the same thoughts about it all, having a tank that has little limitations is easier to get right if sensible than a tank with more limitations that's more of a safe bet

bit of food for thought for you....

Superfish Home 60 - £130, internal heater £20 - Total £150
ADA 60-P £95, external heater (hydor) £50, external filter (eheim classic) £50, Chihiros A Series Plus £45 - £240

 

[Simon B]

That's really useful - thanks ever so much for that - I hadn't heard of the Chihiros lights before.

My only other concern is in putting a tank that size on a sideboard, I suppose really it's about the same weight as a Superfish, and probably less than the Superfish 80 😱/ It's a solid teak chunky sideboard, with big dovetail joints, so I suppose it would be ok.... *jumps on it and wiggles about*

 

[Kalum]

its a good entry level LED light, i've just ordered one for another tank i'm setting up soon

That ADA was just an example of price but it's smaller than both Superfish tanks, sounds like the sideboard would be more than up to it, just check if it has any vertical or diagonal bracing around where you'd be placing the tank

 

[Simon B]

I've had a bit of a think, and I'm starting to err towards something like a Dennerle 60l nano cube. Similar water volume, but it might fit better on the sideboard.

Dennerle 60l - £60
Oase internal Thermofilter 100 - £60

and then I might even splash out on a Kessil A80 or something - that's always going to be useful to have.

Anyway ... my thinking is all the kit is transferrable to a better tank if I decide to get one later on, so I'm only really risking the £60 on the Dennerle. And even if/when I do, a quarantine tank and internal filter are always useful to have knocking around... Maybe .....

 

[Guest]

Hi Simon, welcome. Have you thought about starting a journal? It'd be good to follow you on your journey.
And if you haven't already check out the tutorial page, most of the info you need to get started is there, but f you have any questions we'll be happy to help 🙂

 

[Simon B]

Thank you, Tim. I was a bit nervous of doing so, seeing as I haven't got a clue what I'm doing with freshwater, but I suppose that's precisely the reason I *should* do it!

 

[Guest]

For sure, it's a great way to learn and us other members will always be on hand to offer advice and encouragement should you require it 😉