Cadd’s First Community Tank
- Thread starter cadd
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
After doing a little research on the forums with regards to lighting and seeing what other members used in their tank, I decided to with the Beams Work DA FSpec light. It felt like a good bang for the buck light. I didn’t want to spend $150 for a light. At the same time, I didn’t want to cheap out and purchase a really inexpensive light in fear of needing a second light in the future if it isn’t adequate. Shout out to @Brendenscott for the photos. That put me over the edge for this light. Thanks again!
Beamswork DA FSPEC 48” ($70 Amazon)
I’m really happy with the light. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be this bright. One thing I noticed that concerned me. The power supply was extremely hot after just an hour of having the light on. Is this normal?
The sad news is: it appears I’ll be blowing through my initial $500 budget pretty soon. I still need to get more substrate, driftwood, rocks, plants and most importantly…fish! I’m sure I’m missing other stuff as well. Let me know if you caught something I’ve missed.
Running Total: $448
Remaining Budget: $52 (sigh...)
Beamswork DA FSPEC 48” ($70 Amazon)
I’m really happy with the light. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be this bright. One thing I noticed that concerned me. The power supply was extremely hot after just an hour of having the light on. Is this normal?
The sad news is: it appears I’ll be blowing through my initial $500 budget pretty soon. I still need to get more substrate, driftwood, rocks, plants and most importantly…fish! I’m sure I’m missing other stuff as well. Let me know if you caught something I’ve missed.
Running Total: $448
Remaining Budget: $52 (sigh...)
[QUOTE
Running Total: $448
Remaining Budget: $52 (sigh...)[/QUOTE]
Reason some of us stopped counting
Running Total: $448
Remaining Budget: $52 (sigh...)[/QUOTE]
Reason some of us stopped counting
I’ve been monitoring the Beamswork light and don’t know if I should be concerned or not. After about 1 hour, the power supply gets unreasonably hot. Holding it in my palm for more than 30 seconds gets pretty uncomfortable.
Can I ask you guys to do me a favor and feel the power supply of your light (Beamswork or not) and let me know how hot it is?
This photo shows 121 degrees. However, I’ve seen it as high as 128 degrees.
Can I ask you guys to do me a favor and feel the power supply of your light (Beamswork or not) and let me know how hot it is?
This photo shows 121 degrees. However, I’ve seen it as high as 128 degrees.
wilkieam
Aquarium Advice Freak
UntimelyLord
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2017
- Messages
- 235
I have two Beamsworks and while the power supply to one seems warmer than the other they are not uncomfortable to hold. They are warm enough that it seems like they are warmer than they should be, I'll have to keep an eye on it now that you pointed it out.
Looks good for DW. You might end up needing to weigh them down. I got collected DW and 5 pieces none have sank after 5-6 months. Which reminds me I need to look for some thin pieces of slate.
I have a small Beamsworks 10"...checking now. Not warm. It is a pretty small one though. Make sure the connections are tightly plugged in. Call /email the company. Maybe they will send a new adapter/power supply.
Which reminds me I need to look for some thin pieces of slate.I have a small Beamsworks 10"...checking now. Not warm. It is a pretty small one though. Make sure the connections are tightly plugged in. Call /email the company. Maybe they will send a new adapter/power supply.
Thanks. Please keep me updated.
Where do you pick up your pieces of slate from? I'll probably need to do the same.
I felt like a lot has happened over the past week. So here goes…
Update with Beamswork: I contacted the Amazon seller and they sent me another power supply. I haven’t had time to swap it out yet. I’ll do that this weekend and hopefully that’ll solve the heat problem.
First question: Do you guys think these can be arranged to look good in the tank with BDBS? They’re pretty large…size of a small potato. Funny how I never noticed them, even though I walk right pass them daily on my way into the office. But now that the aquarium bug has bitten me, everything I see, I question “hmmm I wonder how that’ll look in the tank” =)
I know I should’ve done this a month ago when I picked up the 55g tank. But I finally water tested it for leaks. I know some people here mentioned they let the tank sit for a week filled with water just to be sure. I left it overnight and that was good enough for me.
The next day, I drained the water while taping up the edges to get it ready for painting (rattle can plasti dip).
For those that don’t know, plasti dip is very popular in the automotive world. A lot of folks use it on their wheels/rims or other parts of their cars. It sprays on like paint and when it dries, it’s becomes a rubbery substance that coats the surface. It can be easily peeled off when you want to remove it. I decided to use it because I wasn’t sure I would like to stay with black “forever”. Or if I ever want to upgrade to a larger tank and sell the 55g, I can easily peel it off in under 3 minutes.
While I let it dry for a few hours, I decided to pick up more substrate.
50lbs bag of 20/40 grit BDBS ($8 Tractor Supply)
I also read about DIY lids, so I ran to Lowes to pick up glass and corner moulding trim.
I asked them to cut the glass into 4 pieces of 6” x 23”
Glass 3/32” x 24” x 26” ($11 Lowes)
Corner moulding trim ($3 Lowes)
To be continued…..forum limiting the amount of pictures per post.
Update with Beamswork: I contacted the Amazon seller and they sent me another power supply. I haven’t had time to swap it out yet. I’ll do that this weekend and hopefully that’ll solve the heat problem.
First question: Do you guys think these can be arranged to look good in the tank with BDBS? They’re pretty large…size of a small potato. Funny how I never noticed them, even though I walk right pass them daily on my way into the office. But now that the aquarium bug has bitten me, everything I see, I question “hmmm I wonder how that’ll look in the tank” =)
I know I should’ve done this a month ago when I picked up the 55g tank. But I finally water tested it for leaks. I know some people here mentioned they let the tank sit for a week filled with water just to be sure. I left it overnight and that was good enough for me.
The next day, I drained the water while taping up the edges to get it ready for painting (rattle can plasti dip).
For those that don’t know, plasti dip is very popular in the automotive world. A lot of folks use it on their wheels/rims or other parts of their cars. It sprays on like paint and when it dries, it’s becomes a rubbery substance that coats the surface. It can be easily peeled off when you want to remove it. I decided to use it because I wasn’t sure I would like to stay with black “forever”. Or if I ever want to upgrade to a larger tank and sell the 55g, I can easily peel it off in under 3 minutes.
While I let it dry for a few hours, I decided to pick up more substrate.
50lbs bag of 20/40 grit BDBS ($8 Tractor Supply)
I also read about DIY lids, so I ran to Lowes to pick up glass and corner moulding trim.
I asked them to cut the glass into 4 pieces of 6” x 23”
Glass 3/32” x 24” x 26” ($11 Lowes)
Corner moulding trim ($3 Lowes)
To be continued…..forum limiting the amount of pictures per post.
I found some cabinet/drawer knobs in the garage and decided to use them for my sliding lid. I’ll be painting them black as well.
Ok, it’s time to rinse out the BDBS. Man, it was filthy! I don’t know if it shows in the photo, but there’s definitely an oily/slimy substance floating on top of the water.
While the BDBS was soaking, I peeled off the painter’s tape. Some of the plasti dip peeled off as well. Boooo =( Hopefully the substrate will be able to cover it since it’s at the bottom.
During my search for hardscape, I found these on Craigslist:
Three pieces of driftwood ($20 Craigslist)
A colosseum and a plastic driftwood thing ($20 Craigslist)
I’m not too crazy about the colosseum, but since I don’t have any plants, I figure the fish can use that as a temporary shelter. I guess I can always put it up for sale if I decide not to use it.
Once the smell of paint/plastidip dissipated, I moved the stand and tank into the living room.
I also caved in and picked up a bottle of ammonia ($1 Dollar Tree). I was shaking it at the store to make sure there was no bubbles. Has anyone used this brand before for cycling?
Original Budget: $500
Running Total: $511
Went over budget by: $11
Ok, it’s time to rinse out the BDBS. Man, it was filthy! I don’t know if it shows in the photo, but there’s definitely an oily/slimy substance floating on top of the water.
While the BDBS was soaking, I peeled off the painter’s tape. Some of the plasti dip peeled off as well. Boooo =( Hopefully the substrate will be able to cover it since it’s at the bottom.
During my search for hardscape, I found these on Craigslist:
Three pieces of driftwood ($20 Craigslist)
A colosseum and a plastic driftwood thing ($20 Craigslist)
I’m not too crazy about the colosseum, but since I don’t have any plants, I figure the fish can use that as a temporary shelter. I guess I can always put it up for sale if I decide not to use it.
Once the smell of paint/plastidip dissipated, I moved the stand and tank into the living room.
I also caved in and picked up a bottle of ammonia ($1 Dollar Tree). I was shaking it at the store to make sure there was no bubbles. Has anyone used this brand before for cycling?
Original Budget: $500
Running Total: $511
Went over budget by: $11
Took a ride to Home Depot looking for slate. No luck. I recall seeing landscaping places on a back road I used to ride, so I headed over. Unfortunately, they were closed. Can anyone tell me if this is slate? And would it be safe to use in the tank?
I was being a bad boy, I took 2 tiny and flat pieces to test out (3” x 6” and less than 1/8” thick). I did leave them a note in their mailbox with my name and phone number.
I was being a bad boy, I took 2 tiny and flat pieces to test out (3” x 6” and less than 1/8” thick). I did leave them a note in their mailbox with my name and phone number.
I don’t know what I got myself into...
I just adopted 4 goldfish and 1 betta. And my tank is not even cycled yet! As a matter of fact, I just started dosing it with ammonia yesterday! Got it to 3ppm!
Story: College kid. Won 2 goldfish at some social event around Thanksgiving last year. His roommate won 2 goldfish as well. They each got a 1 gal bowl to house 2 goldfish. Another friend of theirs won a betta. He got a little betta bowl. At the end of this semester, no one wanted their fish anymore. The fish are probably 7 or 8 months old and lived in a 1 gal bowl all their lives.
He took all the fish back home. Five fish. 3 bowls.
He asked if I wanted to take them, if not, he’s going to eventually flush them down the toilet. It made me very sad to see 2 goldfish in a small bowl that’s half full of dirty water. When I asked him when the last time he did a water change, he says maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.
Warning: hard to watch. This was the condition they were in when I saw them
So, I figured even though my tank isn’t cycled yet, I can probably provide a better life for them. So I took them. I got home and did a 100% water change since I dosed it with ammonia just the day before (and this was my first time adding ammonia to the tank). Then I tossed all the driftwood and other stuff I purchased from Craigslist into the 29g tank and put them in. They seem to be doing OK so far. Everyone’s getting along.
So now the question is: What do I do with them? I don’t plan on keeping them. They’re in the 29g tank (this is the tank I’ve been using to cycle the canister and sponge filter). If I bring them to Petco, Petsmart or Walmart, I’m sure they’ll end up in the “feeder” tanks. Sigh…
I just adopted 4 goldfish and 1 betta. And my tank is not even cycled yet! As a matter of fact, I just started dosing it with ammonia yesterday! Got it to 3ppm!
Story: College kid. Won 2 goldfish at some social event around Thanksgiving last year. His roommate won 2 goldfish as well. They each got a 1 gal bowl to house 2 goldfish. Another friend of theirs won a betta. He got a little betta bowl. At the end of this semester, no one wanted their fish anymore. The fish are probably 7 or 8 months old and lived in a 1 gal bowl all their lives.
He took all the fish back home. Five fish. 3 bowls.
He asked if I wanted to take them, if not, he’s going to eventually flush them down the toilet. It made me very sad to see 2 goldfish in a small bowl that’s half full of dirty water. When I asked him when the last time he did a water change, he says maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.
Warning: hard to watch. This was the condition they were in when I saw them
So, I figured even though my tank isn’t cycled yet, I can probably provide a better life for them. So I took them. I got home and did a 100% water change since I dosed it with ammonia just the day before (and this was my first time adding ammonia to the tank). Then I tossed all the driftwood and other stuff I purchased from Craigslist into the 29g tank and put them in. They seem to be doing OK so far. Everyone’s getting along.
So now the question is: What do I do with them? I don’t plan on keeping them. They’re in the 29g tank (this is the tank I’ve been using to cycle the canister and sponge filter). If I bring them to Petco, Petsmart or Walmart, I’m sure they’ll end up in the “feeder” tanks. Sigh…
First off nice of you to save them.
Then also you will NOT need to dose ammonia any longer with them in the tank.
But considering the water they came out of it is shocking they didn't already die!
See if someone with a pond would want them. Try to find some one knowledgeable and experienced with pond keeping or at least who is interested in learning!
Petco sells "adoption" fish (fish people bring in to rehome) and they can't be put into the feeder tanks. But people can buy them and who knows what happens to them then.
Then also you will NOT need to dose ammonia any longer with them in the tank.
But considering the water they came out of it is shocking they didn't already die!
See if someone with a pond would want them. Try to find some one knowledgeable and experienced with pond keeping or at least who is interested in learning!
Petco sells "adoption" fish (fish people bring in to rehome) and they can't be put into the feeder tanks. But people can buy them and who knows what happens to them then.
Grey squared /full pallet look like slate. Red is just red rocks and flagstone is the red one.
Go with the grey. Like the pieces I think you got. Hard for me to totally tell by the pics.
Flagstone is sort of sandy feeling. And slate is rather dense and smooth.
Go with the grey. Like the pieces I think you got. Hard for me to totally tell by the pics.
Flagstone is sort of sandy feeling. And slate is rather dense and smooth.
Wow, it has been a while since I’ve updated. I ended up giving away the feeder fish to someone with a backyard pond. I still have the betta. I took apart the 29 gallon tank and finally got around to putting the 55 gal together.
Took me a few hours to set up. But this was the final design I liked.
A few days after setting up the tank (and after giving away the feeder goldfish), I noticed my shrimp are out more often. I guess they don’t have to worry about anyone harassing them. I have about 10 ghost shrimps, 4 mystery snails and 1 betta in there (along with a few pond/pest snails).
But, this one is about to give birth
The snails are doing their own hanky panky too (I think)
Here’s a tiny pest/pond snail. I love the way they look. Reminds me of a turbo under the hood.
I also picked up three little things of Jungle Val from a seller on CL for $3. Additionally, a friend is trying to thin out his stock from his community tank and he gave me 10 long fin Zebra Danios and 4 mickey mouse platies.
So right now, I have the following:
1 male betta
10 zebra danios
4 mickey mouse platies
10 ghost shrimps
4 mystery snails
Pond snails (no idea how many)
I’m thinking about picking up some guppies. Maybe 2 males and 5 females? Would that be ok? Would I have room for the guppies and maybe a school of tetras? Any suggestions on the school? I want something that schools tightly if possible.
Took me a few hours to set up. But this was the final design I liked.
A few days after setting up the tank (and after giving away the feeder goldfish), I noticed my shrimp are out more often. I guess they don’t have to worry about anyone harassing them. I have about 10 ghost shrimps, 4 mystery snails and 1 betta in there (along with a few pond/pest snails).
But, this one is about to give birth
The snails are doing their own hanky panky too (I think)
Here’s a tiny pest/pond snail. I love the way they look. Reminds me of a turbo under the hood.
I also picked up three little things of Jungle Val from a seller on CL for $3. Additionally, a friend is trying to thin out his stock from his community tank and he gave me 10 long fin Zebra Danios and 4 mickey mouse platies.
So right now, I have the following:
1 male betta
10 zebra danios
4 mickey mouse platies
10 ghost shrimps
4 mystery snails
Pond snails (no idea how many)
I’m thinking about picking up some guppies. Maybe 2 males and 5 females? Would that be ok? Would I have room for the guppies and maybe a school of tetras? Any suggestions on the school? I want something that schools tightly if possible.
