John Nicholson
Seedling
This will be my first ever attempt at an aquarium (planted or otherwise) and therefore any help/criticism would be extremely welcome. I am looking to create a tank that I can enjoy for the long term. I don’t want or plan to be rescaping it very often.
I am still in the final planning stages, so no photos just yet. The current plan, unless I am advised to the contrary, is something like this:
Overall Approach – Low Tech. Using CO2 seems like way too much effort, particularly for a beginner, and really want a tank that is low maintenance so I can enjoy it rather than it becoming a chore to look after. Slow and steady is fine with me.
Tank – I am thinking of going for the Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 40 which is a 150 litre all-in-one marine style tank with a rear filter chamber. This is because:
1. The place I want the tank to sit is an existing worktop without any cupboards below so there is nowhere to put an external filter.
2. I would prefer not to have any visible equipment inside the tank as to me it kind of ‘breaks the illusion’ that you are looking in on a natural environment. With this tank I could conceal the filter, heater etc. in the rear.
3. The dimensions of the tank are perfect for the spot I have in mind.
4. It is a lovely looking tank with low iron glass and a great finish.
The main reservation I have is that like a lot of tanks aimed at marine fishkeepers, this tank does not come with a hood. As I do not want to risk any jumpers (my 3 year old daughter would be too shocked by the experience of a crispy fish on the floor) and want to avoid too much evaporation, I am thinking of constructing my own hood with a condensation tray and built-in lighting. This bit could be quite fun, if a little tricky. Anyone foresee any problems with this?
Lighting – I am considering the Satellite Pro+ led system. I appreciate that this will be way over-powered for a low tech tank, but I love the look of the level of functionality that it comes with (auto ramp up/down and total colour control etc.) and I can always re-use it for a high tech tank if I decide to go that way in the future. I will just dial the power right down and use a short photoperiod.
Filtration – If I go for the IM Nuvo then I will use the rear chamber to house the filtration. Precise details still to be figured out. I also think I may need to replace the stock pump with something a little less powerful.
Aquascape – As the tank will be viewed from three sides am thinking of an ‘island’ style scape with a central island of rocks, wood and plants. I would like a sand substrate (at least in part). In fact, for simplicity I am toying with the idea of not having any plants rooted in the substrate, but only using plants that can attach to the hardscape like Anubias, Java Ferns and mosses. Are there any potential problems with that approach? Do I really need to get some stem plants in there somewhere?
Fish/Inverts – Still to be decided but I would definitely like a shoal of Tetras as large as I can get away with (probably either Glowlight, Ember or Rummynose). Possibly a couple of Dwarf Cichlids, maybe a few small catfish and some shrimp for good measure.
If you think I am making any serious errors of judgement then it would be great if you could let me know before I start clicking the ‘spend cash’ button. Otherwise, I am crossing my fingers and going for it.
I am still in the final planning stages, so no photos just yet. The current plan, unless I am advised to the contrary, is something like this:
Overall Approach – Low Tech. Using CO2 seems like way too much effort, particularly for a beginner, and really want a tank that is low maintenance so I can enjoy it rather than it becoming a chore to look after. Slow and steady is fine with me.
Tank – I am thinking of going for the Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 40 which is a 150 litre all-in-one marine style tank with a rear filter chamber. This is because:
1. The place I want the tank to sit is an existing worktop without any cupboards below so there is nowhere to put an external filter.
2. I would prefer not to have any visible equipment inside the tank as to me it kind of ‘breaks the illusion’ that you are looking in on a natural environment. With this tank I could conceal the filter, heater etc. in the rear.
3. The dimensions of the tank are perfect for the spot I have in mind.
4. It is a lovely looking tank with low iron glass and a great finish.
The main reservation I have is that like a lot of tanks aimed at marine fishkeepers, this tank does not come with a hood. As I do not want to risk any jumpers (my 3 year old daughter would be too shocked by the experience of a crispy fish on the floor) and want to avoid too much evaporation, I am thinking of constructing my own hood with a condensation tray and built-in lighting. This bit could be quite fun, if a little tricky. Anyone foresee any problems with this?
Lighting – I am considering the Satellite Pro+ led system. I appreciate that this will be way over-powered for a low tech tank, but I love the look of the level of functionality that it comes with (auto ramp up/down and total colour control etc.) and I can always re-use it for a high tech tank if I decide to go that way in the future. I will just dial the power right down and use a short photoperiod.
Filtration – If I go for the IM Nuvo then I will use the rear chamber to house the filtration. Precise details still to be figured out. I also think I may need to replace the stock pump with something a little less powerful.
Aquascape – As the tank will be viewed from three sides am thinking of an ‘island’ style scape with a central island of rocks, wood and plants. I would like a sand substrate (at least in part). In fact, for simplicity I am toying with the idea of not having any plants rooted in the substrate, but only using plants that can attach to the hardscape like Anubias, Java Ferns and mosses. Are there any potential problems with that approach? Do I really need to get some stem plants in there somewhere?
Fish/Inverts – Still to be decided but I would definitely like a shoal of Tetras as large as I can get away with (probably either Glowlight, Ember or Rummynose). Possibly a couple of Dwarf Cichlids, maybe a few small catfish and some shrimp for good measure.
If you think I am making any serious errors of judgement then it would be great if you could let me know before I start clicking the ‘spend cash’ button. Otherwise, I am crossing my fingers and going for it.
)
