Tank upgrade

[Brianh]

Hi guys, have lurked around the forums and used in the past but now finally joined.

I’m looking to upgrade my tank, and wanted some advice / reassurance!

I currently have a small fluval spec (19l). Has been running for around 3 years with 4 cherry barb, an Otto, 4 Amano shrimp a couple of red cherry shrimp. I did have more cherry’s due to breeding but the fish discovered they liked the taste of them last year when I was on holiday! No fish casualties in the 3 years. I have a few live plants.

I’m upgrading to a fluval shaker 168L.
For initial set up will have gravel substrate, thinking a large piece of wood for the centre piece. Will have a section at the back with some fluval stratum under the gravel for a planted section. For the plants going with “easy” to start with - some Amazon swords, val, Java fern (on the wood) and crypts and will add some root tabs.

I will do a fish-less cycle but transfer over some rocks, gravel and a bit of filter from the existing tank to hopefully speed it up then add my existing fish when complete.

I was thinking of maybe adding a sponge filter or air stone to help with the oxygenation. I read on some reviews this can help with that and flow on this tank?

Will need to read up a bit on external filter maintenance but from what I have read the fluval one is good.

Any other tips on upgrading or anything I have missed / doing wrong?

Also fish advice for this size of tank welcome, I have soft Scottish water.

Cheers everyone!

[fr499y]

Welcome to

Plenty of tetras prefer soft water, there’s a few species of rainbow fish that would love it.
I’d look around and see what you like the look of, post the list and someone like @Stephen would be able to give you a good reliable recommendation of what’s compatible

For filters, it’s always a good idea to swap the kit filter for the next model up, so if it comes with a 307 (is that the current range?) try and get them to swap it for a 407 and pay the little extra cost. It will be worth it in the long run and you wouldn’t need any extra pumps/filters in the tank.

[Stephen]

Hi Brian and welcome to the forum.

Consider using sand as a substrate as you'll have better options such as Corydoras.
Tropica plant substrate under sand works well.

How hard is your water ?
Unsure then which town do you live ?

All the best

[plankton]

Welcome to the forum.
If you have soft water then you have quite a large choice, all South American fish will love it.

For the filter - you could just move the current media to the new filter and move the fish you have now - that will support them, but you would only be able to add new fish slowly.
Fishless cycling is a good idea if you want to stock more from the word go.

[Brianh]

Thanks everyone.
I will transfer over the media to the new filter and should hopefully be fine straight away then. Will keep testing and not add any new fish straight away.

I’m in Edinburgh re water.

Thanks
Brian

[black ghost]

You need more Otos. They need to be in a group.

[Brianh]

Yes I will get some more ottos when I get the bigger tank, couldn’t support it in the small tank.

[Stephen]

I’m in Edinburgh re water.

Thanks
Brian

Edinburgh water is very soft at around 1.7dGH.

[mikeyboy123]

Yes I will get some more ottos when I get the bigger tank, couldn’t support it in the small tank.

Don't add the ottos for a while. Wait for the tank to mature so that there is a bit of algae growth and biofilm.

[mikeyboy123]

I'd go with sand as a substrate. I don't think capping the fluval stratum with gravel would work, if you must have the stratum, cap it with sand. However, given the plants you are considering I wouldn't bother with the fluval stratum, just use root tabs for the root feeders.