Aquarium Fish hobby

[Lala81]

OK starting out in aquarium. It's a hobby that always had some minor interest in since my two good friends are into aquarium (1 more goldfish, 1 more arrowana and also planted tanks).

Initial inspiration was that need some 风水 for my workplace. And those fengshui ornamental displays while not say expensive also not cheap. And ultimately also no element of nature.

Main objective is to learn some hobbies for retirement. Something that u can look at and tinker. 

Been reading about this and buying stuff in preparation since March or April from both local and taobao. 

But had to wait for this 40*40*40 tank to be in stock. Aquarium stand is from China. Was not completely level. Had to delay while buy some plastic 垫脚 from china also for one of the legs. 

[Lala81]

Opted for mechanical timer for the lights. The smart WiFi plugs with timers in my opinion are not reliable long term though my friend has extensive use of them. 

This is to be a planted tank. Originally planned to be black sand capped over aquasoil + organic potting soil. Some elements of walstad or father fish popularised method. 

Ended up with only this height. My friend said buay sai. Too little. And also don't use sand. 

Bought another 9kg pack of aquasoil and used to top up. Did use the sand to create a firm base for my ceramic diorama decoration from China. Like this a lot. 

The rocks are from local online shop since I didn't go down to any aquarium shops prior. 

[Lala81]

Went to east ocean at havelock road to get my first set of potted plants. 

 

[Lala81]

Cheap led light from China. Airstone from airpump. Added a sponge cover but tends to make airstone float up. Toyed with getting a weight for it but not priority. 

[Lala81]

Bio media beads for my sunsun xbl400 HOB.

Had to spend a morning to mess around with it quite a while to get it working properly. Total noob.

 

[Lala81]

Came back days later to find an algae bloom. 

Also black beard algae on the leaves of the plant. 

Installed a UV steriliser pump. My friend had recommended just putting a UV bulb into the HOB but thats only possible for those like the fluval type. 

Stopped lights for 2 days. 

Been running it for a few days with some water change to help 

 

[Lala81]

Went to aquatic connection at sims place cos that's more convenient for me. 

Chain smoking uncle is quite chill. 

Bought 5 guppies and 10 red neo caradina shrimp. 

Hitch hiker snail x 2 from the plants hatched. 

[Lala81]

China water test strips. Less than 5 dollars for 50.

[Lala81]

DIY feeding circle from leftover from the airpump stuff. But doesn't float evenly enough. But good enough. 

Try some carpeting moss. 

Goldback neocaradina. Double price of the red ones. 

 

 

[Kklim]

I sterilise new plants using hydrogen peroxide and copper compression ring (to kill the hitchhiker snails). Don't put copper in tank as it'll kill shrimps as well. 

[Strat]

Congrats on your 1st planted tank! 

Recommend this site to you for planted tank:

https://www.2hraquarist.com/?gad_campaignid=20920805511 

Take it slow when stocking up livestock  as it takes time for your tank parameters to stabilise.

 

My tank top view before I decomm:

Edited September 3, 2025 by Strat

[Playtime]

 

highly recommend a trip to Green Chapter.

Very relaxing plac to just look.... and directly opposite theres a Thai restaurant thats pretty good too.

 

https://share.google/f7mV7ziR4J1quSsmG

 

 

 

 

 

Plus can also do "dry" tanks. just as nice too 😍

 

[Scion]

welcome to the club!

aquarium has been my hobby for more than 20 years

here's my little cozy corner

all low tech no CO2

[Lala81]

On 9/3/2025 at 5:00 PM, Scion said:

welcome to the club!

aquarium has been my hobby for more than 20 years

here's my little cozy corner

all low tech no CO2

Mostly java ferns on driftwood? 

[Mkl22]

On 9/3/2025 at 5:00 PM, Scion said:

welcome to the club!

aquarium has been my hobby for more than 20 years

here's my little cozy corner

all low tech no CO2

Table looks a little weedy to support the tank. The tank is easily 50kg

[Lala81]

On 9/3/2025 at 6:59 PM, Mkl22 said:

Table looks a little weedy to support the tank. The tank is easily 50kg

It's steel shelves with compressed wood panel on top of the beams. Beams held with long thick SS screw.

This one is identical to the kitchen one i assembled. But this seller is specifically for aquarium one.
Quite a number of sales in china so I'm not worried.

haha it's definitely stronger than custom cabinets which just have a plywood frame. 

The Typical PRC way of demonstrating strength. Put 3 adult men on one of these racks and jump etc 

 

Edited September 3, 2025 by Lala81

[Lala81]

On 9/3/2025 at 4:49 PM, Strat said:

Congrats on your 1st planted tank! 

Recommend this site to you for planted tank:

https://www.2hraquarist.com/?gad_campaignid=20920805511 

Take it slow when stocking up livestock  as it takes time for your tank parameters to stabilise.

 

My tank top view before I decomm:

So red, got CO2?

 

[Volvobrick]

Those wifi smart sockets are very reliable in my case. I have about more than 10 (5 for aquarium/pond), none has failed and they are a lot more flexible in scheduling. But mechanical switches yes will fail eventually. Get one with power monitoring so you can check if any of the pumps/light not working. They are often cheaper than mechanical timers. 

 

Edited September 3, 2025 by Volvobrick