Howdy!

[Henry Howes]

Good evening,

Found this site yesterday whilst doing some research and it looks like there is a lot of useful information here!

Signed up to get some advice on a few bits and pieces. This is my tank a few weeks a go:


I've made some changes since then, I've set up an inline heater and inline CO2 diffuser. I've been struggling to battle algae for quite some time and would like to make some bigger changes in the tank layout also as an attempt to try and cease the algae problem now I have stable CO2 and also using the EI method for nutrients. The water is perfect where I live for south american fish (soft and acidic) so I am thinking of going for a south american style tank.

The tank is a Rio 180 litre capacity with 2 X 39W HO T5 bulbs, Haydor 300W inline heater, FE CO2 setup with inline diffuser.

Next changes I'm looking into is to either replace the gravel with a different substrate or at least have a layer of more plant friendly substrate under the gravel. Also to replace the plants with something more interesting and a different aquascape. Will possibly add a powerhead to increase the flow in the tank.

Cheers

 

[LondonDragon]

Welcome on board Henry 🙂 good start so far! What you don't mention is what external filter you got! If you planning on changing the substrate I would do that sooner rather than later when you have more fish. I did run a tank for a few years on plain gravel and managed to grow most plants, but a fertile substrate is recommended. With CO2 and EI you will start seeing huge improvements in plant health 😉 good luck

 

[Henry Howes]

Thanks for your kind words, I think I avoided the subject of external filters because I'm preparing myself for a big outlay for a new one! My current one is an Aquamanta EFX 300, they reckon it's 1100lph which I guess would be acceptable for a 180 litre tank, but once you take into account the over estimate of flow from the factory, and the inline diffuser and heater, it is probably a lot less. I was considering running a second one as opposed to replacing my current one, what do you think? I'm also not entirely sure which model would be a good replacement, I guess I can look through the forum!

I started fishkeeping for the first time about 9 months a go, it's very addictive! I think I've been learning from lots of mistakes on the way so I quite enjoy the ever improvement of it all.

Cheers

 

[Nathaniel Whiteside]

I really like the look of your tank from the photo. Welcome to the forum.