Dragoness Eclectic's Journal

Wednesday, I finally went out and got fish. I got 3 White Clouds, some fish food, some plant food and took the whole lot home. The fish and plant food went on the tray where I keep the aquarium supplies. The fish went in the aquarium.

( Fish pics )

After leak-testing the aquarium (and discovering that the house's foundation has settled somewhat crookedly and the north end of the aquarium is about 1/2" higher than the south end), we emptied the tank again in preparation for the actual set-up.

I put in the undergravel filter plates first, then washed the gravel I'd bought for the aquarium and put it in, covering the undergravel filter to about 2 inches deep, then emplaced the fake plastic rock shelf. It's actually a multi-piece jigsaw puzzle of fake rock shelves that you can assemble in many amusing way. I assembled it. Then I considered the fake plastic log, but decided that (a) it looked like a fake plastic log, and (b) there was already enough clutter with the fake plastic rock shelf, considering I still plan to add plants; conclusion: no fake plastic log need go in.

I poured water in, using the plastic rocks to buffer the flow, and filled the tank most of the way up. Somewhere along the way I put in the plastic tubes, hung the filter, inserted air stones, etc. After the water was all in there, I hooked up the air pump.

( Photos and text )

So over the weekend I dug out my old fishtank and associated gear, hauled it up to my mom's house, and cleaned it and all the associated decorations, hoses, mysterious plastic objects, etc. This morning I assembled it, figuring out what all the parts were and how they went together. I think it's been 20 years since I had an active tank.

I figured the kitchen counter might be the best place for the aquarium; it will actually get looked at and maintained instead of being abandoned and forgotten if it's in a well-lit main traffic area rather than in, say, an unused bedroom. (Also, I don't want to listen to the air pump buzzing in my ear all night). It felt good to clean off all the old magazines, coupon stacks, and random slips of papers with notes on it and give the counter a good scrubbing, just like it felt good last week to put in the little flower bed. (Speaking of which, I need to weed that this afternoon--nut grass is pushing up through the mulch).

After sorting and assembling things, I confirmed that I have 1 undergravel filter and 2 over-the-side filtration units. I put the smaller, older one away, since it isn't needed. I also have 3 aquarium heaters and 3 air pumps. I think I only need one of those, as well. I'll probably test the aquarium heaters and find out which ones actually work. The air pumps all seem to work; I'll probably use one of the single-outlet ones. I can't see needing the big dual-outlet pump for anything.

Next, I need to get gravel, and activated charcoal for the side filter (still have filter wool), fill the tank with water, and let things settle out. I'm not sure if I want live or plastic plants yet, but I'm leaning toward live.