First aquarium - planted or not ?

[mgamer20o0]

I considered getting used equipement off the web, but it's pretty hard for a newbie to know if it is in good state. I've seen different kinds of filter as well, which is kinda confusing for me. Any quick tips about choosing the good type of filter ?

criagslist is like a local newspaper type things. i have got full 55 gallon set ups for $25-40.

for equipment i am very selective in what i use. heaters i only use stealth heaters. hob filters only aquaclears and canisters rena xp or marineland c series.

[Leeny]

The hang on back filters are very easy to install and very easy to maintain. I personally use an AquaClear and love it. I've had no problems with it, and adjusting the amount of intake water is very easy.

[resist-]

Thanks for the info about filters...


I think I have found something interesting in the craiglist equivalent in my area.. It's a 30 gallons, used for 1 year, including: furniture, heater, gravel, wood, decorations and background. But the filter included is a biolife wet dry. But the owner told me he could include me a HOB, i'm just waiting to know the brand et model.

He also told me HOB filters do not do a good job, and that's why he bought a wet dry filter.

For those who want to see a pic, you can see it there (ad is in french):

aquarium et meuble tout équipé 30 gallons 150$

That would be for 150$ (CAD), and it's the best deal i found on the web classifieds.


Any opinions on the tank ?

[fisch]

I've never used a wet dry filter. I think they are mostly used in salt water set ups. As long as you do regular water changes and your HOB filter is the right size it will do the job.
Seems like a decent deal. Better ones can be found but depending on where you live they may not come around all that often.
If you plan on keeping all the equipment and decor then you'll probably do fine. If you are going to replace most of it then its not so great of a deal.

[Mattei]

I've used an AquaClear HOB filter for about 4 years and it hasn't failed me yet. It keeps the water very clean, and is very easy to maintain. I have had absolutely no problems with it what so ever.

[somecallmedaniel16]

My, everybody got to you first! I just thought I'd add my 2 cents. So having plants will cost you a bit more money and a bit more time for a low-light setup that you plan to have. But with some hardy plants, from what I have been told, will grow just fine if you have the minimal light for those plants. You may want to eventually consider using fertilizers (liquid or dry) or even a CO2 system (DIY CO2 generators are very easy to make and cost next to nothing).

[FishEggs]

just be sure to use a daylight spectrum bulb if you go planted.

[cwt]

I've started 4 planted tanks in the past year, different sizes, filters, fish, etc. The HOB filters work fine, I like my AquaClear but my others work just as well I think.

Only rec I would make is don't start with java moss unless you're prepared to trim it back occasionally; it gets out of control fast. The other plants that Gamer recommended all work great.

[fishmonkey]

i say you get plastic or none for the first few weeks. during that time, research what kinds of plants you should get, and then just trade out the plastic plants for live ones!

[woofer00]

Go nuts with the hardy low-light plants like anacharis, java ferns, and java ferns if you're new to plants. They're hard to kill and easy to provide for. You might try branching out into more demanding plants with fancy light setups and injected Co2 later on, but for the simpler starter plants, you really just need to swap out your existing bulbs for some daylight/6500k cfls with enough wattage, and make sure to do some PWCs early on to get trace elements from your water supply into the water column.

Planted tanks are also more stable and easier to maintain. PWCs can be delayed if necessary b/c the plants will soak up some nitrates for their own growth, and the fish certainly like having plants to hide in. A small 4" $5 tube plant can easily outgrow a $30 piece of plastic decor within two months, and fish seem to appreciate having real plants to hang out in.

Be warned though: live plants can and will take over your tank given enough nutrients and light. A pruning every other PWC or at least once a month will keep them in check.