Need help setting up!

Hello, i'm looking to get a tank and put it in my bedroom, and just a few fish to give it a nice touch in my bedroom but I have no idea where to start, so i'm coming here for some friendly advice from a few people, I have a link and information about the tank below, it's the Fluval Edge 23L, I know people will say it's not a big enough tank etc, I'm not buying a large tank for extreme fish, I just want a basic sized desk fish tank for my room.



With the tank coming this week I wanted to ask a few questions..

What should I buy for the tank?
Gravel?
Plants? (Real or fake) = Does it matter? Explain please
Which rocks?
Example ornaments?
What do I put in the water? (Some special stuff I saw on youtube)
Do I use tap water?
How long do I leave it to cycle fishless?
If cycling do I just set up my tank like normally with all the stuff in it, with water and leave it on 24/7? for weeks? How long?

Which fish do I put in it?
Fish?
Shrimps?
Snails?
For cleaning etc..?
What food is good?
I'm not wanting big extreme fish or anything

Maybe something simple? Small? 2-3 fish if their average size fish for a small tank?
Neons? Guppys?

Sorry if i've spelt any fish wrong but you'll have the point. and sorry for 100 question and being a nightmare
We all have to start somewhere and I though i'd come here for some help

It's a simple tank for my room next to my desk for a few fish









Features;

• • Unique cube-shaped aquarium provides amazing visual experience
  • Simple, uncluttered design allows a clear view inside the aquarium
  • Housing module conceals all essential equipment
  • Perfect for homes or offices
  • Compact design perfect for countertops, desktops or pedestals
  • Powerful and efficient LED lighting system creates ideal lighting for fish and aquatic plants
  • Sealed glass top allows excellent aerial viewing
  • Overhead ventilation grill dissipates the heat from lighting, prevents moisture, reduces maintenance
  • Removable cover allows direct access to the aquarium and filter
  • Powerful 3-stage aquarium filter keeps water clear and healthy

Sizes;

Aquarium Capacity: 23 L (6 US Gal)

Aquarium dimensions (L x W x H): 43 x 26 x 36.8 cm (16.9 x 10.2 x 14.5 in)

Colour: Gloss Black

Light: 21 High Output LEDs, 7600 K, Blue Hue Setting

 

I have the Fluval edge as pictured above. It's a great tank and if you just want a few fish or invertebrates, then its ideal.
I have mine stocked with a single Betta.

There's not many fish that would fit comfortably in there - don't pay attention to the box that says you can put Zebra danio's in there and or Tiger barbs. Definitely not.

Maybe some one else will reply with more suitable fish to add.

I did a fishless cycle with pure ammonia. It took 3.5 weeks from start to finish. I believe that's the best way to go and less stress on the fish. I've had my tank now for 2.5 years.

Here is what my tank looks like - although I've switched the white sand now to black tahitian moon sand. After about 9 months, the white sand was really horrible looking. The black holds up much better but you get the idea,

 

you won't grow plants well in the fluval chi. the that they provide has been falsely produced to look nice. white substrate will always show fish poop.. dark substrate tends to hide it better.

the lights will be very dim, I suggest you swapping stock lights to led lights. I dislike the style of the chi. can't clean inside without double elbow joints. which humans don't have hahaha. catching fish is a pain and it just really really really sucks. I suggest something that you will never ever have to catch.

minI moth catfish etc... some species that are nano look great. pygmy cories.

plants are great but will converge to the center because of the lighting style.

 

That looks smart and amazing, just what I was looking for in my room

I love the design too (I hope you don't mind me going with something like that)

I'll look into getting it all together this week and start the cycle with Pure ammonia, I'll have to watch a few videos how it's done, not entirely sure

Just wondering, How much are Betta fish? Their so beautiful

And thanks for replying (By the way, is fake plants etc ok?)

 

you won't grow plants well in the fluval chi. the that they provide has been falsely produced to look nice. white substrate will always show fish poop.. dark substrate tends to hide it better.

the lights will be very dim, I suggest you swapping stock lights to led lights. I dislike the style of the chi. can't clean inside without double elbow joints. which humans don't have hahaha. catching fish is a pain and it just really really really sucks. I suggest something that you will never ever have to catch.

minI moth catfish etc... some species that are nano look great. pygmy cories.

plants are great but will converge to the center because of the lighting style.

He's referring to the EDGE and not the chI - I have the edge and its got LED lights and plants grow good - in fact too good because I tend to get green algae. The lights are not dI'm at all. Maybe not for all plants but basic easy to grow stuff is no problem.


Dutox - there should be some help info for the ammonia cycle on this forum. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can find something.

As for Betta's, they can run anywhere for $7.00 - $15.00 or more depending on type, etc. Mine came from Thailand from a breeder so I paid about $15.00

 

I suggest going with real plants, they are the best way to go. plus its a fun time. I love trimming my plants and making some little cash out of it.

bettas cost at petsmart $3-6 while specialty bettas can go up to $10-20.


oops, loll. I meant edge. the chI is better b/c it is squared and under the lights.


I have the edge, the same exact one. I hate it lool. and it does not come with leds. (atleast the one I got) but the issue about growing plants in this tank is that the lights are in the center and the plants will "gravitate" towards the center.

 

Honestly, with that size tank, the betta is the best way to go.
Maybe some other members will have some other ideas for a small tank like that.
If you do get a betta, get live plants or silk. No plastic. The plastic will shred the betta's fins.
Also, a betta will need a constant temperature in the mid to upper 70s Fahrenheit. You might need a small heater. They are great little fish and easy to take care of if you have the proper set up.
There is no need to spend a lot of money on a betta. Most members here, myself included, have found great little guys at the the local fish store (LFS) or even a chain like Petco or Petsmart, some even at Walmart. Just make sure your fish is healthy and vibrant looking at the store and the water doesn't look dirty or hazey. Usually, if your heart aches for a sad, unhealthy looking fish, you will end up losing it soon after you get home if it makes it that far. Sad, but true. Buy a healthy fish.

 

I love mine after 2.5 years and although it might be a pain if you have lots of fish, I only have one and its never been a problem to keep clean.

ALL of the Fluval edge tanks ( 6.6 gallons ) have the 21 LED lights standard.

 

I love mine after 2.5 years and although it might be a pain if you have lots of fish, I only have one and its never been a problem to keep clean.

ALL of the Fluval edge tanks ( 6.6 gallons ) have the 21 LED lights standard.

oh sorry it didnt really look like an led I suppose it was a dI'm led.

 

Anyone else got suggestions? I think I'll cycle it for a few weeks (Not sure how) but I'll get it done.. then decorate it with the correct stuff with real plants etc and but in a nice beautiful colour betta..

If things go wrong then they go wrong, I'll learn from mistakes

How much is an average heather (if you need one) and how do they work? Do you select a tempreture or does it just go hot and hot? I just want a pretty fish in my room

 

Well depending on what fish you put in there, If you go with a Betta, they require a warmer temp ( around 80-82 degrees ) whereas most other tropical fish only need around 78 degrees. Either way, I would get an adjustable heater. Fluval makes one that is the perfect size for that tank. I believe Aqueon makes one for the compact size - 25 watts should be ideal but no less.

They usually run under $20 - $25.00. If you can go with the "non glass" kind, its better so you don't risk the glass shattering ( ive never had this happen but you never know! ) but more $$$

Also, I wouldn't recommend cycling with plants either - especially if you go the pure ammonia route as it tends to "Burn" leaves and you'll probably end up wasting good plants. I would wait until you are fully cycled before doing your landscape.

Good luck!

 

The good heaters are adjustable, and aren't expensive.
You can get a lot of good stuff here:
http://bigals.ca/Stores/Locations/London/london.html

That is were I got my heaters, filters, etc..

 

To do a fishless cycle please be sure to purchase the API freshwater master test kit. That is going to make fishless cycling really easy!

Sand is a fantastic substrate. It's easier to clean than gravel. It takes some time to get use to doing it however it is a lot prettier imo.

I have black sand and a black background on my tank and it really makes the colors of the fish and plants stand out.

Silk plants are great if you don't want to deal with real plants. If you want to try out real plants they're worth it. There's plenty of low maintenance plants.

Also keep in mind that bettas breathe air from the surface of the water. They don't breathe through their gills. So make sure it has plenty of water surface.

Bettas also mainly swim towards the top half of the tank and even sleep by the surface. So if you get a betta you'll want to have silk/real plants that reach the water surface. They'll lay on them and sleep on them.

Another idea if you aren't stuck on the idea of a betta is shrimp.

They are super easy to care for and they have such a small bioload you can fit 5 or so shrimp per gallon.

Oh also get a heater and a thermometer as well. Those are both equally important.

Edit: you can use tap water. Prime is a fantastic water conditioner. It changes your tap water to make it suitable for the fish to survive in. A good water conditioner is absolutely crucial!

Sent from my LG-D851 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Just some points to address in Zinaerris's post:

Fishless cycle is very important. I totally agree. Also, the API Master Test Kit is the best. Most members use it and recommend it. It not only helps keep track of where you are in your cycle, but also, because of its reliability, helps keep track of your water parameters in general throughout the life of your tank. If your fish ever show signs of illness or stress, the first thing any fishkeeper will ask is "what are your water parameters?"
Also, most members here also use Prime. That comes highly recommended too.

Substrate depends on the person. For those who aren't interested in vacuuming their substrate, sand is fine. Depending on how deep it is, you may or may not need to stir it to prevent anaerobic organisms from wreaking havoc in your tank. For those who prefer vacuuming, like myself, sand can be a pain. It can also be a pain with certain plants that do best with a nutrient rich substrate or need something more substantial to root in. I have both. One tank with sand, the others with gravel of one kind or another. Darker sand doesn't show the mess as easily. Substrate does help the colors pop depending on what colors of fish you have. If you have darker fish, lighter substrate is best, if you have bright colored fish, dark substrate works best. It is all your own preference and artwork. Outside of your preference, the only time sand is required instead of gravel, is if you have fish that like to burrow or have fragile barbels like KuhlI Loaches or Corys. Sand would be an important feature for these little guys.

Bettas do breathe air, but they definitely use their gills to get dissolved oxygen from the water. Bettas are a of the category of fish called anabantoids. These are fish that have a labrynth organ, which is a complex, maze like organ that allows them to take breaths of air, and use that oxygen taken through their mouth to diffuse into their bloodstream, but please do not think that this replaces the function of their gills or that they don't use their gills at all. They breathe both air and water and require both to live. They do not spend time out of the water. They are fish. They will rest on plants or soft surfaces under the surface of the water, and make bubble nests along the surface. That is as close as they can get without drying up and dying. For more information about the betta, just click the underlined word, it is a link.

Welcome to Fishlore!