30g aquarium rebuild

[Tim]

Given that Pig was afraid of the dark I had bought a new T5 light fixture with moonlight LEDs sadly enough he had
jumped out the night before and I hadn't noticed . So I found myself with brand new lights and an empty aquarium.

This resulted in me breaking open the piggybank and getting a few things.


This is what it used to look like

Given that the Fluval 205 came with plastic rimmed tubing I replaced those with new 16/22mm tubing from
eheim but I forgot to get some corner pieces, as the tubing is not that flexible so I have to go back.

The old background came off rather easy after sticking a machete behind it. Glueing the new 3d background
into place was a real party, I even ended up putting silicon on my chair .

Finally got around to adding the UV Filter I bought long ago.

Given that this tank will be heavily planted I got a DIY CO2 kit and added that, its currently behind the background
with everything else, hopefully that will be a good enough place.

Replaced the el-cheapo aquael 100w heater with an eheim 100w heater. The only thing left from Aquael is the glass
aquarium but that thing is not leaking so thats irrelevant.


Current status of the tank (excuse the poor iPad photo :p)

Going to plant the foreground with a carpet of Hemianthus Callitrichoides also referred to as HC or Cuba. I bought all 7 pots
at the LFS . Unsure of other plants at the moment, but 2 other plants on my list are Pogostemon Helfri and Staurogyne sp.
Input on this would be much appreciated.

Given that this aquarium will be freshwater I was thinking of adding a bundle of dwarf puffers.

On a sidenote; about 1/4th of the aquarium space is behind the 3d background, don't suppose I could breed the snails/shrimps on that side?

[bertie 83]

Make sure there is adequate water flow to the back of the 3d background, if your inlet and outlet for your filter are both behind it it will probably leave the main display with little to no flow. I have tried similar but I'm afraid it failed.

[Tim]

My filter output is a tube put through the background, so filtered.water goes straight into the front of the tank. It's just hidden . You can see a small darker line on the left of the trunk from some silicon

[bertie 83]

Are there gaps for the water to return to the back? If so shrimp and or snails could pass between. I would not advise breeding puffer food in the same water though

[Tim]

Are there gaps for the water to return to the back? If so shrimp and or snails could pass between. I would not advise breeding puffer food in the same water though

It was more wishful thinking, to make use of the space . I have a 2.5g and a 5g for breeding food after all .

Got all the plants I wanted more or less, can finally start planting soon.

[bertie 83]

Run it full of water first and work out high and low flow spots before planting, also to check that you did manage to get rid of all the salt. Most importantly keep us posted with updated pics lol. Oh and check for flow dead spots as you may need. A small powerhead or a bubbler to keep the water flowing nicely.

[Tim]

Run it full of water first and work out high and low flow spots before planting, also to check that you did manage to get rid of all the salt. Most importantly keep us posted with updated pics lol. Oh and check for flow dead spots as you may need. A small powerhead or a bubbler to keep the water flowing nicely.

Thanks will do. First time I have such an elaborate background.

Salt-wise. I have a refractometer so I'll keep changing until 0 if that is the case.

Pictures will come a bit later, shower is taken atm so I cant fill up my bucket .


edit:

Managed to get some corner pieces, they are meant for 19mm instead of 16mm but with some warm water and a lot of brute force I managed to get them pretty stuck in there, the hose clamps I have sadly enough do not fit, so I'll have to get them another day. Since this is only for the filter intake I am not too concerned to let it be as it is for a week, if it flops over its not like the entire aquarium will go pooring over the floor

[bertie 83]

You can use cable ties, or jubilee clips both work well. I assume you will go for the fishless cycle method?

[Tim]

You can use cable ties, or jubilee clips both work well. I assume you will go for the fishless cycle method?

I was thinking of adding 4 galaxy rasbora so I can clean out the snail breeder tank. The plants and the filter will get to do most of the legwork though .


Picture time:


Filter output on the side.




Nice clear water right away. Put an old powerhead with a spare hose into the bucket holding the water, will come in handy once everything has been planted with water changes later.

[Tim]

Just turned on the filter, nothing seeping out at the L bend or at the UV filter. All the air bubbles coming out of the filter outtake gave a good look at the flow of the water. It seems not a single inch of the aquarium is not getting at least some flow. Surface tention is also broken by the filter outtake . Salinity at 1.000.

And a preview with the plants in the position where I want them more or less.