First tank in over 10 years, did i do this right?

[Slythy]

So the last tank i had was before college and it was a 55g reef tank. I dont think I've messed with freshwater in over 15 years haha.

So my goal is to keep a Black piranha, i know they are natoriously slow growers and can be very shy for a while. This doesn't bother me, I always thought they were beautiful fish and always wanted one. The one I have on hold is a 2.5-3" Diamond. Now i know eventually he will need a large tank but till then i think a 40 breeder is a good grow out tank.

So my setup right now is:

Tank: All Glass 40 Breeder
Stand: Large table in room
Lights: 36" Finnex Planted+ 24/7 led
Filter: Cascade 1000
Heater: Hydor inline 300w

Substrate: Pool Filter Sand
Decorations: 1 large peice of driftwood in the center, 2 smaller pieces on the outside.
Plants: I want some live plants on the back and around the tank to make it nice for him. (hopefully he stays afraid of my hand for trimming lol )

Anything else I should get? I really want to get him on pellets so i dont have to do live or do much preparation food.

Thanks for taking the time

 

[pops]

the biggest thing with starting a new aquarium is taking the time to cycle it up right, "before" adding your fish. I would add a HoB filter, AC70 do fine for better mech filtration and lighten the particulate load from the canister.

 

[Slythy]

the biggest thing with starting a new aquarium is taking the time to cycle it up right, "before" adding your fish. I would add a HoB filter, AC70 do fine for better mech filtration and lighten the particulate load from the canister.

im getting filter media from a buddies tank to throw into the canister, also it wont have any fish in it for about a month as i have to travel for a while, i have been using seachems stable to jump start it even more.

 

[pops]

I am not a fan of jump start products. that's just my opinion, if you are going to be gone for awhile, put a raw jumbo shrimp tail in shelled and leave it. it will leach ammonia into the water as it breaks down and feed the Bacteria. i have cycled more than one tank this way.

 

[DustinB32]

I know a lot of people aren't fans of the cycle in a bottle stuff and for the most part they don't work. But I've had nothing but good results with Dr Tims one and only. I've cycled a few tanks with it even a saltwater tank that cycled in 4 days with a clown fish.

 

[Slythy]

I ended up putting 8 neon tetras and some jungle val and other plants in the tank. So it will be cycling for a couple weeks like that then ill buy the piranha