The Aquarium. => Tank Logs. => Topic started by: a1oxtb on May 28, 2014, 01:43:05 pm
Title: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on May 28, 2014, 01:43:05 pm
The tank is an interpet 48l fishbox which we currently have set up at work with some tetras and danios in.
After selling my rio 125 because it was taking up too much time and space I decided this would be ideal to take home and set up as a betta tank. I will be ditching the blue gravel and plastic plants and ornaments, and a colleague will be rehoming the fish. I will then go for a simple to maintain planted setup with a fine gravel/sand substrate. I plan on having a hm betta (red) and a few corys for the bottom, as I have read that they should get along and keep out of each others way. The corys will be established in the tank before I add the betta.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on May 29, 2014, 10:23:13 am
If you intend keeping anything with the betta, make sure sure you can move them quickly (even corys), just in case. My last betta even had a go at large corys' dorsal fins. It really does depend on the individual personality of the betta, and they are all different.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 02, 2014, 01:05:32 pm
apparently the stand that come with the tank doesn't match our décor in the room. (according to the better half!!) so this has been purchased, just needs a good rub down and oil. I'm guessing boiled linseed oil on the unit will not effect the fish? (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/tankstand_zps7d33840d.jpeg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/tankstand_zps7d33840d.jpeg.html)
I have a little question re the set up of the tank, i'm tight for cash until the end of the month now, and the tank is still currently running with fish at work.
I plan on changing to sand substrate and some easy to maintain plants and my colleague from work is taking the fish.
would it be better to...
let the fish go to their new home now and set the tank up in situ at my house as it is now and dose with fish flakes to keep the filter going, then change to sand, plants and add new fish on payday.
as above but let the bacteria in the filter die off and start a fishless cycle on payday (25th) bearing in mind i'm abroad for my hols for 1 week in july.
keep the tank set up at work until payday, then set it up at home with sand and plants and fish when I get paid. (not sure if changing everything at once is healthy for new fish?)
get it home now, keep the fish that are in it to keep the filter going, but changing the substrate now to sand and add a few plants. then come payday, pass the fish onto my colleague and put my new stock in then?
I want to be patient and do everything properly this time and make sure the environment is right for the fish.
ps, talk to me re root tabs, once they are in is that it, or how often to I have to put fresh ones in? tank will be lightly planted. I have just had tetra complete in the past.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 02, 2014, 02:34:18 pm
Option 3 sounds good, least stress for everybody (including the fish) :)
If the linseed oil doesn't get in the tank, it's fine. :)
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 02, 2014, 03:00:01 pm
Option 3 sounds good, least stress for everybody (including the fish) :)
If the linseed oil doesn't get in the tank, it's fine. :)
cheers plankton, i thought that would be the most sensible option, just wasn't sure if new fish plus new plants and substrate might cause problems with parameters? shock the bacteria?
i guess the most sensible way to go about it would be to change the substrate, plant it and amonia dose and test the water for a week before stocking? or could i just plonk all the new stuff in together?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 03, 2014, 08:17:10 am
The bacteria should be ok while you transport it (as long as you keep the media damp). You can do it your way just for your own peace of mind though :)
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 25, 2014, 10:42:17 am
just ordered a few bits ready for the set up Amonia (just in case) api master test kit tap safe root tabs play sand dwarf grass amazon sword red tiger lotus I'm now keen to get the tank up and running at home. However I go on holiday on the 7th for 1 week, so not sure its a good idea? I could get it all set up and purchase some corys on the 5th but would not like to leave them for their 1st week in the tank? or i could just add ammonia to the tank but wouldn't be able to top up for that week so would the bacteria die off? I guess I could wait til I return from my hols but i'm rather impatient!! the tank will still be running at work so I guess this is the safest option.
either way, I will be letting the corys settle in before adding a betta, as I hoped adding to an established tank would give them the best chance of getting along.
I would also like to add some bogwood, but from past experience, even after soaking for weeks it leached very badly, so I am maybe swaying towards a stone feature of some sort?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 25, 2014, 11:01:51 am
You could add ammonia, or pop a couple of prawns in a pop sock or stocking and let them supply ammonia for a week until you can measure it properly. :) I wouldn't add fish and then leave them for the first week.
I like wood, and the tannins. They're good for the fish you know.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 25, 2014, 11:55:15 am
so a couple of prawns then test when I get back, do a mini cycle then add fish? ps whats a pop sock?
i know tanins are good but i hate the look of the water. *grin* i want a nice crystal clear tank.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 25, 2014, 12:38:10 pm
It's a small stocking that looks like a sock.....no females in the house then? ;) *grin* I am assuming you didn't get the fish by the way.....it may be that the filter can cope with the ammonia from the rotting prawns and you'll be cycled......
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 25, 2014, 02:32:51 pm
It's a small stocking that looks like a sock.....no females in the house then? ;) *grin* I am assuming you didn't get the fish by the way.....it may be that the filter can cope with the ammonia from the rotting prawns and you'll be cycled......
ha yes I live with my girlfriend but I wont go into her choices of lingerie *grin* none would be suitable for a fish tank, and would probably make the fish blush!!! nor would she be too pleased *grin*
that's correct, the fish will be rehomed when I move the tank, as I wouldn't like to keep them with a betta. But the tank will be kept running at work, with the fish until the day I take it home and set it up within a matter of hours.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 26, 2014, 02:23:28 pm
looks like the empty tank will be with me sooner than I thought......... tomorrow! so looks like I am going to have to leave it empty until I return from my holidays, which means I will probably do a fishless cycle which also gives me a good excuse to upgrade the filtration.
it currently has an interpet pf1 but I have been looking into an aps 600IF or 800IF.
is anyone familiar with either of these, or can recommend an internal for a 50l tank, one that I can change the media in? I believe bettas do not like too much flow?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 26, 2014, 04:11:53 pm
I think I had the Resun Magi 380 with the betta, but I have so many about, I can't remember 100%. I did only use it for mid-tank flow before I got the new filter Last week (or the week before...??). :)
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 30, 2014, 09:34:52 am
so I managed to get the tank set up at home on Saturday. Painted the back black took about 5 coats to get total coverage but got there eventually. 1st coat... (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/B6CB113B-0758-4604-A71D-451F45529FFE_zps7hrx8rhu.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/B6CB113B-0758-4604-A71D-451F45529FFE_zps7hrx8rhu.jpg.html)
I opted for playsand mainly due to cost, gave a thorough rinse in a pillowcase in the shower then got it in the tank. (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/D552DB69-5E76-498E-BBBF-31694084AFA5_zpspgynromq.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/D552DB69-5E76-498E-BBBF-31694084AFA5_zpspgynromq.jpg.html)
I nipped out to the shops and missed the postman who had left a card in my post box.... I had missed the delivery of my plants :mad: .......... I saw his van down the road and legged it after him, luckily I caught him *grin* and got my plants. I got some amazon sword, dwarf grass and a red tiger lotus. I got them planted, got water in and got the tank running.
No further pics i'm afraid as the water was very cloudy (I cant have been thorough enough when rinsing the playsand.
Hopefully my test kit will arrive today....
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on June 30, 2014, 09:39:13 am
Looks good :)
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 30, 2014, 12:41:03 pm
Thanks Plankton, test kit has arrived so hopefully all is well *grin* I'll be testing tonight and asking questions tomorrow.
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on June 30, 2014, 09:16:26 pm
so i have a little confession to make..........
i was a little impatient on saturday when at the lfs,... i went to pick up so some tap safe and ended up with 1 betta and 5 cory... i thought it would be ok as the filter was already cycled.
Anyway, my test kit arrived today and its thrown me into a world of confusion! ph 7.6 ammonia 1.0ppm nitrite 2.0ppm nitrate 40ppm (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/DE63A836-394E-4B9A-8996-DB6608DB974B_zpshzqdekb3.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/DE63A836-394E-4B9A-8996-DB6608DB974B_zpshzqdekb3.jpg.html)
high ph 7.4 or 8? i'm thinking 8 because of the 7.6+ on the low ph test?
anyway, following my impatience i have no clue what to do. should i be getting double zeros?
also my ph seems very high - i also tested straight from the tap and got the same high and low ph results.
i now know i shouldnt have gone rushing back in and should have tested the water before stocking but its been done now.
should i do a water change?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on July 01, 2014, 08:05:26 am
I'd say that was nearer 8.0ph. If you have fish you need to do daily changes (after an initial HUGE change to get rid of the ammonia and nitrite) until the cycle has finished. You must learn patience young Skywalker......
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on July 01, 2014, 09:05:26 am
lol I know, I know, my patience level is 0!!!
ok so 75-80% today then 50% daily? until I get double 0's?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on July 01, 2014, 10:04:55 am
Correct! :)
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: a1oxtb on July 02, 2014, 08:54:21 pm
so i did a 80% water change last night and tested when i got back from work today. 0.5 (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/D75E9923-D800-4D32-AE45-31700C3BFC42_zpsgzsnhcqx.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/D75E9923-D800-4D32-AE45-31700C3BFC42_zpsgzsnhcqx.jpg.html)
not sure on this one 0.5 or 2.0? (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/B144D6FD-CCF0-4BC1-9CC0-13FDD396697C_zpsdundfjb6.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/B144D6FD-CCF0-4BC1-9CC0-13FDD396697C_zpsdundfjb6.jpg.html)
and a pic of the tank from last night post water change (http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy325/enocko_2010/49752B0B-6FEC-48D2-9E43-330B25A9AD03_zpslwmnsfjn.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/enocko_2010/media/49752B0B-6FEC-48D2-9E43-330B25A9AD03_zpslwmnsfjn.jpg.html)
my red tiger lotus isnt doing too good, the leaves have blue patches on them, should i let them die off and hope for new growth?
Title: Re: a1oxtb's 48l betta fishbox
Post by: plankton on July 03, 2014, 02:47:59 pm
No idea on the plants. The ammonia looks better, but the nitrite is still lethal, another big change today, and probably for at least the rest of the week until they are both zero.