Return To The Hobby

The tank has come with a lid with plenty of access without taking it off and it has a plastic open surround the glass sits on and the glass is not in contact with the top of the unit if that makes sense?

Funny you should mention SWMBO  I have a second tank in the shed which I’ve saved from the trash and I KNOW I want another specific tank but baby steps first   

Thanks for your comments fishtales 

Nice cabinet, and very solid. Will be perfect for your tank.

Best of luck with getting your tank up and running this year.
I have also moved recently, and know that a lot of tank stuff ends up being put on hold until everything is settled.
I'm looking forward to getting all my tanks correctly replanted again, increasing my current shoal numbers, and getting everyone completely settled after the chaos of the past few months.
I look forward to hearing how you get on with your tank(s) too. 

Thanks  it is a solid bit of kit, the amount of stability in a flat pack is something to be desired in other units. I’m looking forward to getting my hands dirty now I’ve settled in!! It doesn’t pay to rush but I’m ready now (I think)  Edit: MTS has definitely set in and I’ve not added water yet, it’s definitely a condition I want to keep!

Hi @LeakysLab

It looks rock solid.

Just a little observation. Make sure that, when the tank is in place, you have easy access to the left-hand side and the rear of your setup. I have a similar arrangement with one of my tanks. That's what reminded me.

I look forward to hearing about further developments.

It's good to have you here at TF.

JPC 

Thanks JPC, I appreciate the support! Yes I will be able to access the aquarium from all angles   

Looks great.   
The cabinet that my fishtank is on came with a glass tabletop - it's a godsend for all those drips, setting nets and decor on, etc, and might be worth getting a bespoke one made for the size of the top of the solid cabinet if that's at all feasible for you.

Thanks fcmf I’m pleased with it. It has been in discussion with my wife on how to protect it or how to pro long the tops life, Thanks for the idea I never thought of glass . 

Good morning everyone and happy Sunday 
before I give a full update (which if I get time will be later today) I have conducted my first water test from the aquarium. The results are as follows:

Temp 25^oC
Ph 6.6-6.8
Ammonia 1 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 5 ppm
Phospate 0.25 ppm

all comments are welcome but as I said it was the first time I ever done it and I learn by doing!
Edit additional information: test kit was API Master and API Phosphate kit.

Good Evening all,

Here is a long awaited update on my return to the hobby. Earlier @jaypeecee you asked what was in the tank so I’ve attached picture that will help.

Starting from the bottom the soil is TMC Nutrasoil in Black, I purchased 5L but I needed at least 9 but I didn’t realise this till I was ready to plant. I have a piece of slate that I used to take the eye of the massive filter box. There is a small piece of slate attached to Azalea Root which in turn holds the plants that are glued to it. Unfortunately I cannot read the lady’s handwriting to list the plants in question but what I think I can read is 1 Octopus, 2 Hypo, 2 Anubias nana, 1 paniflow and 2 lefferi. I made the mistake of not writing it down, when I got back to the LFS I’ll get it re written for me. I perhaps need some more soil or to just move it around to cover some bald areas as I did have a play around with the scape (if you can call it that as I’m not very artistic) before I took the photo. I retro fitted a recommended Aquael LED 10W Plant light to replace my T5 bulb which is better for planted set ups, it was a bit of a task but it’s in and secured and I’m happy with the fit so far, I guess only the plants will tell more. 

(@jaypeecee to answer your question) The tap water was treated with API Stress Coat + again this was recommended by my LFS so I’ve put my trust in them for now which is obviously hot topic at the moment regarding chemicals etc and I’m not proficient enough yet to make any decision against my LFS. I was also given API quick start for the filtration bacteria, again I’m just following their lead for now. Staying with API I was given CO₂ booster and Leaf Zone.

I noticed the soil cleared quite quickly which was pleasing and unfortunately I noticed my first issue, obviously this was a gift from my mum and I used the pre supplied heater which was rated at 50W, me being the novice I am noted that the starting water temp was 10^oC and it didn’t improve much over night and did some checking to learn (with another post from @Sue thank you) that I probably needed 75W Heater and again too late to do anything so I installed my backup/spare/QT heater which is also 50W this morning and it has now stabilised at 27^oC. Ideally I know I need 25-30^oC for the bacteria process, I was aiming for 28^oC.

So that’s about it, on my next visit to my LFS I need some more soil and a 75W heater. Sorry I’ve rambled a bit but I wanted to give a full bodied update. Any comments welcome or PM if you want I’m on here most days. Enjoy the Read and I’ll update each day on water test parameters here.

Simon 

It looks great. 

Yes I am, I have been a aware of the cycling process since becoming a member here and have been reading the topics regarding the process. The LFS didn’t advise me on it however I’m unsure wether this was an oversight or wether I gave the impression I had no intention of buying livestock at that visit and the items I purchased was to “set up” the tank in the first instance.

I must admit I am a trial and error person where I earn by doing. Luckily I have enough knowledge that I wouldn’t of followed that sort of advice even if it was given to me. I made myself clear when I was in the LFS that I wanted what was on my list. However I couldn’t get the bottle of bacteria I wanted, so opted for the one recommend, only time will tell me if it works.

Thanks @jaypeecee thanks for the links i'll take a look. I appreciate the kind words and I'm appreciative of all the help and support you and the others give me. unfortunately I am not going to give this up again, so you're all stuck with me