PaddyC's Peaceful Community

I have started this thread as a kind of project-thread for my new venture into the Tropical Aquarium scene. It is something very close to my heart, I always admired my dad's passion for keeping fish although he hasn't kept one in over ten years. So this is my first sole-owned Aquarium and I intend to do things as correctly as possible. So far I have met quite a few very knowledgeable and helpful people. I thank you all for your input, advice and assistance.

I have borrowed a picture of the tank I will be receiving next week. It's an AquaOne Regency 80, 180 litre tank measuring 80cm(w) x 40(d) x 70(h)

The tank has had two previous owners and has been well looked after. It comes with a Reptile One 1250-R External Canister Filter which is a massive boost to my stock capability! I really love the look of this tank with the soft curved edges and the veneer in the wood actually matches my dining room table!!



The image is shamelessly stolen from Google images but you get the idea.

Next, the chosen location for the tank in the corner of my dining room, the led branches and picture frame will be relocated (don't worry, the boss says it's ok).



And last image for now until I receive the tank and begin a full fishless cycle, my first delivery of the numerous small purchases I will be making in getting the Aquarium up and running... My water is very soft since I live in Scotland where we keep all the best stuff for ourselves  so that presents me with some issues that with Sue's kind help I should be able to keep an eye on.



pH test (straight from the tap) 8.2
pH test (24 hours later) 6.8

Plans for the tank thus far...
-Full Fishless cycle - Complete after 18 days! 
-Limestone rocks to maintain hardness and pH - Instead I'm now using marine gravel, pH stable at 7.5 
-2cm John Innes no3 compost/3cm gravel substrate - DONE!
-Live plants - Amazon sword only for now
-Combination of flourescent and LED Lighting (on timers to regulate fish rest cycle) - DONE!
-Bubble rock to aid flow of absorbed gases (plus bubbles are cool) - DONE!
-Automatic feeder as my missus and I both work shifts
-Plan for minimum 25% weekly water change, subject to pH/nitrate behaviour

I am currently using the Community Creator to build a compatible stock of fish. For now I am focussing on the tank and environment itself for some hardy wee fish before I start getting brave and going for some slightly more exotic species.

Thanks for looking!!!

Edited to add: My water parameters for others information plus I can always look back here for a reminder...

Calcium (mgCa/l) = 11.35
Magnesium (mgMg/l) = 1.28
Hardness as mg/l (CaCO3) = 33.56
Clark degrees = 2.35
French degrees = 3.36
German degrees = 1.88
Hardness level = Soft

Hydrogen ion (pH) = Min 7.4 Mean 7.76 Max 8.2
Nitrate (mgNO3/l ) =  <1
Nitrite (mgNO2/l ) = <0.01
Ammonium(ammonia and ammonium ions) (mg/l as NH4) = <0.03 Max 0.08
Total organic carbon (mgC/l) = Min 0.4 Mean 1.15 Max 1.7

Cheers littlefish,  how long did your cycles take?

I look forward to hearing how you get on and seeing more pictures of your tank in situ.

Have you thought about hardscape?
A couple of nice bits of bogwood, or perhaps some dragon stone maybe?

The tank is a nice piece of furniture.

And it is good news about the old filter media.

Yes, I started making notes of what I liked, then ran them through the CC when I got home. After realising that some of the fish I liked were not suitable for my tap water (dH 17) I did it the other way around - finding what fish were suitable for my water then looking at them at the closest MA and LFS. It also gave me a chance to get to know the staff, and do some shopping, which was the reason for my multiple tank syndrome.
ooops   

Very true. I could buy even more tanks and still not have enough room for everything I like that is suitable, partly my own fault using a 200L tank for axolotls rather than fish.
The dwarf puffer tank provides a lot of entertainment.

- finding what fish were suitable for my water then looking at them at the closest MA and LFS.

Sorry can you clarify MA and LFS? I'm new and my brain is frazzled from work, now on four days off so it's chill time now then tomorrow prep starts for receiving the tank on Wednesday!

Oho! I anticipate a short fishless cycle. 

Oh I hope so Fiona, the external filter I am getting apparently has a layered filtration system of different levels with "ceramic" balls in one level, filter sponge in another, plastic balls in another and so on... It sounds like it should be fairly simple to drop the old media in amongst the "uncycled" media and start growing bacteria. I'm looking forward to the whole process and will of course keep you all updated 

Hi Paddy. Apologies for the abbreviations and not responding sooner. I have posted some pictures of my current tanks as another thread, as requested previously, with a brief explanation of plans.
Hope you're getting ready for Wednesday.
 

Thanks for clearing things up Sue, I won't struggle to find a home for the old media in the new filter, I will do as you advise and use the ceramic ball chamber.

Littlefish, your tanks look great, you have put some serious time and investment into them, that is clear! This multi-tank syndrome is looking to be a serious affliction I might not be immune to... haha.