Just asking for advice PLEASE!

[bequibble]

First off hi, my name is Lisa.......Love The Site All! I recently moved and had to tear down my fish tank and get rid of all my fish. I have a 110 [acronym:525a897d04="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:525a897d04]. Oceanic (Glass) tank. It was a sudden move!

I was wondering what kind of filteration, heater, lighting, etc... you guys would use. I have always used 2 Whisper hang on the back of the tank type filteration. And regular lighting. I want to set it up right this time, and eventually plant the tank. In my new house the aquarium sits down in the basement, which it ideal. I can't wait to get started, but I want to do it right the first time. I'm not really up to date on all of the new products that are out there now. I have had my tank since the 90's, and always did well with the fish - but when it came to plants, was never successful.

Anyway, would LOVE some feed back. Thanks Everyone!!!!!

[Toirtis]

Welcome to the site, Lisa...great to have you here!

Now, the answer to your question requires a bit more information from you....what sort of aquarium are you looking at setting up...planted...low light or high light? Community? Cichlid?

My first thought would be to a 4-tube T5 light fixture(s), possibly one of the new Nova systems that Big Al's sells. How long is your tank?

Filtration would probably be best done via a canister filter...perhaps one of the new Fluval FX5s, a Filstar XP3, or an Eheim 2028.

I like the Hydor in-line heaters, although they only go up to 300W, and you will want a total of 600-700W for your tank, so perhaps two inline or a pair of submersible 350W heaters.

[bosk1]

For something that big, you will likely get lots of recommendations for cannister filters. I can't really comment, since I have a [acronym:5fac04650d="Hang On Back"]hob[/acronym:5fac04650d] on my 55.

Regarding the plants, you might try posting in the planted tanks forum.

[Simpte]

It may be a mix of filtration types, from a wet/dry sump style to 2 canisters to a canister and a [acronym:a26dd61acb="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:a26dd61acb] for aeration. It depends on the type of tank you want.

[Fishyfanatic]

I'd definately go with two canister filters for a more efficient, even filtration. And as Toirtis pointed out, you could then have inline heaters so you don't have to have them in the tank. If you want to increase oxygen, just add an airstone instead of using a [acronym:b503ec932a="Hang On Back"]hob[/acronym:b503ec932a].

with a tank that size i would suggest african cichilds... mostly because i just started and i love them!! Of all the fish ive kept i have found my 55 gallon african cichlid tank to be the most rewarding fish i have ever kept. Of course they don't always do well with plants... lol.

Also i would suggest doing a sand substrate. It is so much easier than gravel and looks natural and its great for plants.

[bequibble]

Thank You All for the advice........I forgot to mention, we currently have very hard water here, but within the next month a new water treatment plant will be opening that supposedly is supposed to distribute soft water. We shall see about that.

My tank is 5' long and 2 1/2' deep, and I know for sure that I will be putting Neon Tetras in it, just not sure what else. As for the plants I want to put in it, (high light or low light) really not sure on that either. Man, seems like I have some thinking to do huh? lol!

I have requested some magazines from places where I can buy my materials, since I'm out in the boonies and there is nowhere to close that carries a wide range of products .......thanks again for the input~~!!

[Fishyfanatic]

For equipment, try www.bigalsonline.com It may take a few days to get to you, but they are superb with prices. In my area they are generally about 50% cheaper in price (even after shipping). Good luck on the tank setup!

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Neon tetras limit the fish you can put in. They are small enough that cichlids would definately inhale them, so no angels or other cichlids.

Perhaps 24 neons, 10 Diamond tetras, 12 Serpae tetras, 7 Clown Loaches, 6 Cories (you pick albino or other type), 1 BN or rubberlip pleco, and some shrimp of somesort, avoid ones with claws (larger shrimp), ghost shrimp would work, or filter feeders (vampire, Wood.. Google "fan shrimp" and you'll see a bunch of types.)

I can only suggest the types I know to be good with other fish, other's may no a different way, best to see what others say.

As for filtration, 2 XP3 canisters would provide more then enough filtration, perhaps an XP3 and an XP2. Heaters, I'ld say dual 250w's(or 300's), 1 at each end.

Lighting, I'ld have to say 2 30" dual 65W Cf fixture (like This for example), I assume your tank has 1 support half way. (If you go this way, consider ordering a couple bulbs ith each fixture, you get them quite discounted and gives you spares incase 1 breaks in shipping, not that UPS doesn't treat packages like a newborn baby.

Substrate, sand is definately the best way to go, if you can add 2-3 bags of flourite, then put sand on top you will have a great base in place for plants in the future, ortherwise you have to break down the tank to replace the substrate later. sand is available from many places, but I don't recommend buy it from the [acronym:b8c96597c2="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:b8c96597c2], they are wayy overpriced. try home depot or a pool filter store (there are a lot of posts on where to get sand)

That is a great tank size to start to plan out

[TomK2]

If the basement is partitioned into "finished" and "unfinished" areas, I would put the tank on a wall in the finished part that has an unfinished room behind it. Then I would cut a hole in the wall and have all the filters and stuff on the other side.
Check out what I did:

http://home.comcast.net/~tomstank/to...s/page0015.htm

Such a setup can really make life easier. And I would eventually upgrade to canister filters with inline heaters.