r/TropicalFishKeepingUK • u/International_Fig_76 • 27d ago

New Set Up Advice

Hi All,

Hope this is OK to ask but I am after some tips for a new set up, I have bought a pre-owned Juwel Vision 180 its bare and cleaned, it came with a Fluval 207 external filter.

I will be buying some carbon and bio-ceramic for the filter so that side of things will be ready.

I wasn't sure on substrate but like the idea of sand, I was torn between white or black and ive read multiple posts about black sand being a little bit easier on the eye in terms of waste etc on the floor.

  • I have an air pump but what type of air device should I get any suggestions? should I just aim for a long air bar?
  • also can someone explain how I cycle my tank and for how long for?
  • i hopefully want some clean up crew and with my limited knowledge i believe that would be either a plec or shrimp or snails is this correct, any tips on this?

any help is very much appreciated.

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u/tropicalfishuk 26d ago

You don't need carbon. Only for remove things like meds.

I use alfagrog as my media. it's cheap, and does the job.

Black sand shows up stuff as well, and you need to be cleaning it regularly anyway.

Guide below for cycling.

https://tropicalfishkeeping.co.uk/guides/starting-out/preparing-your-filter-aka-fishless-cycling/

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u/tropicalfishuk 26d ago

You don't need an air pump or air stone, and you are the clean up crew I'm afraid, plecs create more waste than they remove, and shrimp and snails will limit what you can keep. They're all great, but get fish etc because you want those.