PJBelfast

Well, for those interested, over the next month. my community fishtank is about to experience a radical transformation  From the outset I always intended to create an aquarium that displayed some eye-catching fish.  As my hobby as an aquarist is in it's infancy, I've decided  to instead build my aquarium around some larger yet graceful centrepiece fish.  So here's the latest.  With thanks to the expert advice from Maidenhead Aquatics, I've today agreed to the change. They have encouraged me to swop my tiny live bearing platies and swordtails for some striking angelfish, coexisting with some colourful rainbow fish and neon tetras.  Hope it turns out half as good as the photo!  .    

Preparation time My new hobby is that of becoming an aquarist. I have done some research by reading "The Perfect Aquarium" by Jeremy Gay. This book is a complete guide to setting up and maintaining an aquarium.  My limited experience is, that before freshwater fish can be introduced into an aquarium, you first need a week or two to build the cabinet, just as you would with IKEA flat packs. Thankfully my big son Jonathan took the pressure off me, building the cabinet single-handedly. After washing the substrate/gravel I added the water to the tank from my garden hose. I then added the water heater to bring the water up to temperature. I then hooked up the external filter.  I then added a water conditioner and a day before adding the fish also added good bacteria. I also did a water test to check six major levels pH KH GH NO2 NO3 CI2. Lots of preparation ahead of the arrival of my new wee additions.  I have nominated a Monday as my day to renew 30% of the water (aga