Fluval Osaka 260 70-gallon tank - New Photo 27 Oct 11

[PaulCheung]

I just bought a used Fluval Osaka 260 70-gallon tank from Craigslist. (
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pm...457282054.html) I would like to ask for advice and share with fellow hobbyists my journey. This is the biggest tank I ever have. I have a 20 g for a few months and got hooked.

In order to haul 70-gallon tank back home, I need to empty the tank. There are over 4 inches of white sandy gravel and they are heavy. I still have to make another trip later today or tomorrow to haul back the stand.

In additional to crypts and some other plants, there is also a big piece of driftwood and Anubias and Java Moss attached to it.

I took the opportunity to give my new tank a good scrub. I put the fishes in my 20 g tank. It is good that there are not a lot of fishes (Leopard Pleco, platy's, cherry barbs, neon tetras, cardinal tetras) and there is no big fish so I put all the fishes in my 20 g tank and also started the Fluval 405 so that I get the bio-media going.

For the driftwood and plants I temporary put them in the sink of my laundry room. Turn on a desk top halogen light to give them some light.

The original substrate is white sandy gravel. I don't know exactly what it is. But it does not seem to be a good substrate to grow plant. Most of the plants in the tank are crypts which basically grow on any substrate. I am thinking this is the only chance i can replace the substrate. Once it is setup, it is hard to do anything wit it. I am still debating with myself. May be I use the existing substrate in the foreground and add new substrate in the mid and background in which i will grow for plants. By using some existing substrate, i can get the good bacteria too.

Can you give me your opinion?

Photos uploaded to Flickr:

Gave my new tank a good scrub | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
All fishes crowded in my 20 g | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Fluval 405 for 20 g = over-filtration. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
driftwood and plants | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[tony1928]

If there's a running filter that came with the setup, the media in there will already be seeded and you will be ready to go. If not, finding some media to seed your filter would be much better than just using the substrate. if the stock level is relatively low for a 70g, the tank should be able to cycle itself over a couple weeks.

[PaulCheung]

The filter has been running until we took it down for transportation.

The reason for considering a new substrate is because I want to grow more plants than what it has been.

[monkE]

wow the new tank looks great! Can't wait to see it all set up.

You are right that now is your chance to change the substrate to something more suitable for plant life. Root tabs will help if you use your existing sand, but eco-complete or ADA or flourite would be a much better choice especially if you want some higher maintenance plants.

You could also layer the substrate if you'd like.

[tony1928]

If that's what you want to do, I would change out the substrate. The beneficial bacteria in there is not that substantial compared to bio media.

If the filter was only unhooked for a short time for transport, the bacteria should still be fine. Again, if the bioload is low, I wouldn't worry to much about it. You could manage it with water changes as necessary until the bacteria reestablishes.

[Fish Whisper]

I haven't yet done planted tanks successfully anyways , but have herd
that ADA soil is excellent for Planted tanks.

I think u can get some at Miyabi Aqua Design one of our sponsors here,

[PaulCheung]

ADA soil is quite expensive. I will go for Flourite instead. Should I put the existing gravel on top or in the bottom layer?

[gklaw]

You can used a bag of fluorite and mix it up. I am not sure how you can keep them separated in the long run.

[discuspaul]

Congrats, Paul, on being able to pick up such a fantastic looking tank as the Osaka 260 - As you may know, they have been discontinued by Hagen/Fluval and are not made nor available any more, except as used tanks such as you were able to get.
I have one just like it that I got on sale about a year ago when Petcetera was clearing them out & I consider myself very lucky - as they sold out like hotcakes at the time.
There were none left in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, or on the Island after 3 days of that sale.
Here's mine, for you to have a peek at - pics were taken several months ago, a short while after I first set it up:
FTS-Osaka260 pictures by discuspaul - Photobucket
Good luck with getting it set up the way you want it - & post some pics when you're done.
Call on me if I can be of any assistance to you.

[PaulCheung]

Emile,

Very nice tank you have! I have no idea I was so lucky. But I jumped on it as soon as saw it in Craigslist. The price is very attractive. It included an extra Fluval 305 filter. I am planning to sell it.

Did you add anything extra? Extra light? Or it is exactly what you bought? Your substrate looks like mine. Is it come with the package?

After seeing your pictures, I am more motivated to set up the tank to make it look nice.

Thanks

Paul