I’m getting a new fish tank (maybe).

Dave Watkins

I am in consultation with my LFS about buying a new two foot tank. I thought at first that it was an Aqua One brand but I later found out that it is an Orca branded tank. I was quoted 300 dollars which includes stand and light fitting.

Has anyone bought an Orca branded fish tank before, and if so what do they think of it, good or bad?

I was told that if I didnt like the tank that I wasnt under obligation to buy the tank if I didnt like it.

I am just putting out some feelers at the moment.

Mooo

A photo would help, I goggled and didn't get anything worthy of posting

Rainbows

I have an Orca 80L tank and it is very good, although the filter isn't very powerful anymore but it is an old tank.

Frayk

Aqua one, well, they re ok , Orca ? just look for the "made in china" sticker.

Rainbows

Haha good point Frayk, still I can safely say that they won't break down instantly. (hopefully)

Heintz.G

C'mon guys 99% of everything is made in China including Eheim filters.

TallTree01

I have a chinese tank and a german tank and can say the only difference is the price tag

Dave Watkins

I tried to find a photo of the tank. Its an Orca 620, I googled that and I got no joy. I managed to get into my LFS just before it closed yesterday afternoon, the tank is there, but it is all in an box. I am in two minds on what I should do.

Frayk

Heintz is right, but, its comes down to the quality control measures in place, and is company specific, its all about money.

Frayk

Orca 620, would that mean 62 lts? 300$?

Dave Watkins

So I bit the bullet and bought the tank last night and brought it home. According to the dimensions on the side of the box the tank holds 172 litres after I calculated it. I have two problems, there are no instructions for either the tank or how to put together the stand >.<



It has a filter in the lid; I have never used this type of filter before. I guess the water runs through it gets filtered and is returned to the tank.







The lady in my LFS said that the tank doesn’t come with bio balls, but I can get them from her at the shop. I noticed too that there isnt any carbon package to go into the filter, I figured it would need one.

I am going to go down to the LFS on the weekend and see about getting instructions on how to run this type of filter unit. I wonder whether running an under filter maybe an easier option in the long run.

I was hoping that if anyone had run this type of filter unit before that they had some instructions or a link to a website that I could get a basic understand how the unit is supposed to work and how to maintain it through its life time.

After I get the tank sorted then I need to work out the rubix cube of materials I received to get the stand together

TallTree01

I am running two tanks with that sort of filter. One is roughly the same size as yours and one is only about 40cm across. I love the things, they're powerful ( at least I've never ha any issues ), don't take up much room in the tank ( except the inlet/outlet ) and they're dead easy to clean. Just open the lid and rinse the media out in a bucket of clean dechlorinated water every once in a while. As with all filter media I'd recommend getting a way to contain it while in the tank so it doesnt go everywhere. It also makes it easier to clean as you can just remove the bag and swish it around in some water.

If theres one criticism I have of this sort of filter it is the disastrous results that can occur if you don't clean your filter regularly enough. When theres some sort of blockage or clogging in your filter from too much gunk and mess, the water keeps getting pumped in and it can't go back into the tank. The only place it can go is the floor. It's easy to not notice the overflowing as the filter is tucked away at the back of the tank and if your tank is against a wall you won't discover the problem til the water has made its way into sight at the front of your tank.
Not a massive flaw, but something to consider if you're known for slacking off on filter cleaning. It's only happened to me once and I was fortunate enough to see it before my carpet was damaged beyond repair.

Dave Watkins

Well it took most of the day since there was no instructions in the box how to put the stand together but I finally have it done. The tank now sits proudly on top of the made stand albeit empty. I have black gravel with what looks like grey road base rock, I am unsure whether the road base will be safe. I will find out I guess once I get the tank full of water and checked the water parameters.

TT you already mentioned that you have a tank or two like this one that I have. Will the filter in the lid be sufficient filtration for the upcoming inhabitants in the next month or so.

I am still looking for some more information on how the filter itself works, if anyone has any info. How it works, maintaining and trouble shooting it, I would be grateful.

I am getting some black film to cover the back of the tank, which to me is a simpler and easy task than painting.

Now the fun begins, I will take a photo in the morning of the tank in all its glory in my bedroom where I plan to set it up permanently. In the meanwhile, I am off to bed.

TallTree01

The way it works is similar to a hang-on-back filter: water is sucked up the inlet and then forced through various medias and sponges before being pushed out of the filter box and back into the tank.
So long as you stock appropriately at appropriate rates or fishlessly cycle the aquarium I believe it would be hard to overwork these filters given my experiences.
The occasional ( no more than twice a month for me ) rinse of sponges seems to keep mine working and maybe once or twice a year the pump needs cleaning but this is true of all aquarium filters.
Not knowing what stock you plan on I can't tell you for certain once you decide I'm sure I and others on this forum would be glad to assist.

If you'd be able to find out the power (litres per hour) of the pump it would be helpful. Be sure to post pictures of the progress of the tank also.

Dave Watkins

A photo albeit a bit grainy in front of my main tank in the lounge room. Still need to feed my fish. The eagle eyed of you may see the screws in the bottom of the tank, the actual lid is screwed onto the tank, Not a real practically way when it comes to daily/weekly maintenance.

Its tank is also covered on the inside with a thin film of dust and general crud. Plan to get most of this out with a cloth before I add water. I'm waiting for the bag of carbon and bio-balls that my LFS said would get for me next weekend.



As always comments/queries/suggestions/criticisms are welcome

More to come..

Mooo

I have seen these tanks, My son has one, they seem good

TallTree01

Looks nice man. All the best.

Dave Watkins

Thanks guys. I look forward to the project.

Frayk

No carbon package, good,never use charcoal in a filter, good luck with your new purchase.

Dave Watkins

Thanks Frayk.
I got bio-balls and a bag to stick em in as suggested by TT. I've put them in my current fish tank with the idea that the right microbes will start growing on them. In a week or so I will take them out and stick them in the filter and go from there. Not sure whether it would work or not but I thought giving it a try didn't do any harm. (Although my fish think the bag with the balls inside it think its all food) silly fish

Frayk

Microbes need moving water to flourish {aerobic}, but like you said it cant hurt.

Dave Watkins

Hi guys, well I have used the NZ volcanic sand I bought from Livefish and filled the tank with water. I have the light on and the filter running for the first time, the water is a little murky but I hope that'll settle down in a day or two.



In regards to the filter and the water level, how far up can I bring the water. The photo shows where I have the level of the water, and the two vertical arrows shows where the water is trickling back into the tank. Can I fill the tank a bit more?, at the moment with the filter it sounds like someone is peeing into a bucket

TallTree01

Fill the tank as high as you can without it spilling out. With all of my tanks I'm able to fill it to the top (where the glass ends and the lid/hood begins) with no issue. I'm unsure with this brand though.

Dave Watkins

Cheers TT, tank topped up to near the brim. I have the filter bioballs installed, light and heater working now, also a box filter to remove any excess crud floating around from the inside of the tank I couldnt pick up when i cleaned it.

The water is cloudy at the moment, I havent added any chemicals, I will just watch it and wait for the water to clear up. I will do a 20% water change on the weekend.

Dave Watkins

Well the tank is 4 days old, here is the first photo of my setup. No fish of course, I need more plants. Water still a little cloudy. a work in progress.

animal_expert01

Great tank what are you going to put in it

Dave Watkins

I thought I would do a solely Tetra tank (neons, cardinals, blind cave etc. ) I am curious to see whether the different breeds will school together, I've heard that they will.

To be honest, I want to put fish in it like yesterday. But I know that if I do that when the water parameters arent right that there is a fair chance that the fish will either suffer from my impaitence or drop dead. The rock on the right is out of a established tank, I thought I would use it to speed up the nitogen cycle.

I cant wait till the water is ready.

For that matter, my cat can't wait for fish in the tank as well

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tjSF3E8hcFw

animal_expert01

Lol what about lemon tetras they look pretty cool also you need alot of logs for blind cave fish since they live in cave so maybe add a few more logs

Dave Watkins

I have some wood ready to go but I will add that a bit later. I also want to get some more plants for the tank. I will look at Lemon Tetras, I havent made up my mind, I guess most tetras are on the list except the Pacu.

I could list all the types of Tetras in the family, there are over 700 known varieties. But I suspect I would invoke the anger of Mooo if I did that.

animal_expert01

Sounds like a pretty cool tank

Dave Watkins

Thank you AE. I have been dabbling with fish tanks on and off for the past 20 + years. I spent half an hour last night just dabbiling with tank settings.

I dont know everything, this is a friendly lot on this forum, I know I can ask a question and get the advice I need.

Bob

Can't see anything in your tank that I would consider "plate" size. Are you running a burley trail or just baiting the hook?

Looks very relaxing, you've got more water there than the local river!

Cheers,

Bob

Heintz.G

looking good so far Dave, heaps more plants and why not consider about 8 Rummynose Tetras and 6 Panda Cory's, now for algae eaters I would recommend about 4 Otocinclus.

Not quite a bio tank but would look really good.

On a side note, your last pic = hillbilly heaven lol.

Dave Watkins

The last pic was one I found on a random website. When it comes to bait I prefer burley trails like it was shown in Jaws, though it’s a bitch to keep the carpet clean from the excess.

I actually grabbed some amazon sword plants and some sickly looking vallisneria. I hadn’t quite decided what plants to get yet; I see the tank as a blank canvas.

I do have 2 Julii Cory in my other tank and was considering moving them into the new tank. The other tank uses gravel whilst the new one is sand. I read that gravel can wear away the barbels of the fish, so I wanted to move them. Whether or not I can catch them is another story.

Whilst I have had rummy nose before I have never had blind cave tetras or cardinal tetras so I am keen to get some of them for that reason.

I have never had any dwarf sucker fish (Otocinclus) before, I will research them. Most importantly I need to work out how many fish I can have in the tank as opposed to how many fish I can get into the tank

animal_expert01

You could probably comfortably fit 4 large fish and around 7 smaller fish or around 12 small fish with no large fish

Rainbows

Forgot the tetras and get some really nice Pygmy Rainbows, Ornate Rainbows or maybe MacCulloch's (kidding).

Frayk

No kidding!!!! Rainbows is right! Aussie native rainbow fish are a diverse, colourful, variable, readily available, hardy and attractive group of fishes, Mc Cullochs, threadfin, crimson......google.

Heintz.G

Ok now the native fan boys/girls have entered the thread lol, how about a school of Iriatherina werneri.



With Otocinclus to keep the tank mostly algae free.

TallTree01

Wow, they're stunning Heintz, AquaGreen?

Frayk

Threadfins rule totally!!!!!! Large school in a large tank unbeatable.

Dave Watkins

Very nice fish but they are a little out of my league, I have never had threadfin rainbowfish before but I would consider them for another time, I would need to learn more about them before I considered getting them. It would be the same for me if someone suggested I install a C02 system for my tank, it’s something I would consider but I know nothing about it but in the meanwhile it would be brown trousers time. I have my head set on tetras to the point that I would move to Central or South America just so I got native fish.

I do have a four foot tank that'll need a complete tear down and restart, I can consider (Iriatherina werneri) or rainbow fish for then:)

Heintz.G

Dave,

All I can say is get Cardinals over Neon tetras, they are better looking and a lot more forgiving if something goes a bit off kilter water wise IMHO.

Dave Watkins

I like the idea of cardinals for that reason HG, sturdier fish, have had neon's before but I would be curious to see what the two breeds were like interacting in the same tank.

Speaking of tank, yesterday I got Cabomba ,Thin Valerian and what I think is a Blue stricta. I am not going native plants, I wanted something that both looked good and gave the small fish places to hide.

Unfortunately I think of a piece of plant has gone up the intake valve to the tank filter and the filter has stopped dead. There was definitely water where the pipe feeds water so I cant see how the pump is burnt out (fingers crossed).

Off to my LFS today to work it out. Has this happened to anyone before, plants jammed pump? Anyway of stopping it from happening. I made certain that I didn't have any plants planted near the intake pipe

Bob

Hi Dave,

In regards to today's message, the bunch plant in the back right of your tank is an ambulia, not Cabomba.

Cheers,

Bob

Frayk

There should be a slotted cowl over the intake m8, wont prevent sand from getting into filter mind you.

Mooo

re Neons and Cardinals shoaling togeather, I did that & they don't seem to know any difference But the Neons died years before the Cardinals did .

Dave Watkins

Thank you all. So far so good.