So I've wanted a fish tank for a long time but couldn't really ever afford anything large enough with my budget (£100/$155) but after many weeks of trawling eBay and local papers I managed to pick up a Juwel tank + stand including filter for £45.01 
($70) Here's the tank as it looked when I got it.
So I got it home and scrubbed unlike crazy, removed all the double sided tape (I think it was used to hold a previous background?) Went to the lfs and brought 2 pieces of drift wood, a single bag of gravel, a new filer cartridge and some API quick start. The wood and API was on offer so it all came to £16 ($25) my friend has given me some 6 in 1 test strips to get me started. I then purchased a heater for £18 later and went home very excited!!
So here's my tank after I had cleaned it and added the gravel.
I spent a long time looking at the woods trying to find some of a reasonable height and ones that would stand freely and looked IMO interesting. I then left the wood to soak in a small bowl.
The water went a horrid dark brown/yellow colour which I decided was a good thing but in the bowel the wood looked almost black! Anyway I've just this morning added the wood to my tank and its changed colour completely and I'm really pleased with the first piece, the second piece isn't as impressive but still looks good
So now I'm researching plants (I have another thread open and you guys are giving me some great advice) do you guys think that is enough drift wood for a tank of this size? Later today I'm going to buy a second bag of gravel because I feel my layer is a little thin.
So far I've spent £79 ($122) so have £21 left to spend on plants and a second bag of gravel.
Sorry this post is so long I'm just over excited about all this ill keep updating this thread with my progress as I go
($70) Here's the tank as it looked when I got it. So I got it home and scrubbed unlike crazy, removed all the double sided tape (I think it was used to hold a previous background?) Went to the lfs and brought 2 pieces of drift wood, a single bag of gravel, a new filer cartridge and some API quick start. The wood and API was on offer so it all came to £16 ($25) my friend has given me some 6 in 1 test strips to get me started. I then purchased a heater for £18 later and went home very excited!!
So here's my tank after I had cleaned it and added the gravel.
I spent a long time looking at the woods trying to find some of a reasonable height and ones that would stand freely and looked IMO interesting. I then left the wood to soak in a small bowl.
The water went a horrid dark brown/yellow colour which I decided was a good thing but in the bowel the wood looked almost black! Anyway I've just this morning added the wood to my tank and its changed colour completely and I'm really pleased with the first piece, the second piece isn't as impressive but still looks good
So now I'm researching plants (I have another thread open and you guys are giving me some great advice) do you guys think that is enough drift wood for a tank of this size? Later today I'm going to buy a second bag of gravel because I feel my layer is a little thin.
So far I've spent £79 ($122) so have £21 left to spend on plants and a second bag of gravel.
Sorry this post is so long I'm just over excited about all this ill keep updating this thread with my progress as I go
