Need 55G new setup advice

[HawaiianFish]

Hi everyone!

I am very new to this as I have had a fish tank in the past however it was a 29G and all it had was Goldfish. This was about 10 years ago.

Anyways I got rid of a desk in my room and wanted to fill the space with a 55G tank. I have heard the bigger the tank the somewhat forgiving the tank will be. 55G is the biggest that will fit in my space.

I wanted to know everyones advice on what I should get. I want to keep this below or around the $500 price range however I understand you pay for what you get and I am willing to spend more on quality items.

I will also be building my own stand. I am a civil engineer!!!

The tanks measurements are 48" Length 13" Width 20" Height...

I want to get small schooling fish like tetras...

I have created a preliminary list.

1. The 55G tank the tank is $120

2. Whisper air pump model 100 with a bubble hose

3. EMP 400 for filter - Should I buy the pre packed filters or do I buy the carbon & filter separate?

4. Coralife T5- 48" light - What kind of lighting should I get? Does the light need to span the entire tank?

5. Do I need some kind of glass hood?

6. Eheim Jager 300W heater? Do I need this? I live in Hawaii...however I keep the Air Conditioner on @ 70 degrees.

7. Some kind of substrate & driftwood? Maybe sand?

8. I want some sort of plants.

Aloha

 

[bruinsbro1997]

Aloha and to AA!

Hi everyone!

I am very new to this as I have had a fish tank in the past however it was a 29G and all it had was Goldfish. This was about 10 years ago.

Anyways I got rid of a desk in my room and wanted to fill the space with a 55G tank. I have heard the bigger the tank the somewhat forgiving the tank will be. 55G is the biggest that will fit in my space.

I wanted to know everyones advice on what I should get. I want to keep this below or around the $500 price range however I understand you pay for what you get and I am willing to spend more on quality items.
Generally you want a good filter, a good heater, something to change your water whether it be a python or gravel vacuum, substrate, lights (especially important if you are into plants) a tank stand, a test kit (Freshwater API Master Test Kit is the best IMO), some water conditioner (SeaChem Prime is good), and some high-quality fish food (many recommend New Life Spectrum brand).
I will also be building my own stand. I am a civil engineer!!!

The tanks measurements are 48" Length 13" Width 20" Height...

I want to get small schooling fish like tetras...
They like being in schools of five to six or more, depending on the tetra.
I have created a preliminary list.

1. The 55G tank the tank is $120

2. Whisper air pump model 100 with a bubble hose

3. EMP 400 for filter - Should I buy the pre packed filters or do I buy the carbon & filter separate?
You can buy the pre-packed filter, I would suggest buying one that is recommended for double the size of the tank.
4. Coralife T5- 48" light - What kind of lighting should I get? Does the light need to span the entire tank?
The T5 is fine IMO for most plants. I have a dual bulb T5 fixture and the plants do great.
5. Do I need some kind of glass hood?
Not really, unless you're keeping fish that are known to jump.
6. Eheim Jager 300W heater? Do I need this? I live in Hawaii...however I keep the Air Conditioner on @ 70 degrees.
Personally from being in Hawaii, your tank temperature would kinda be high but it's more for stability as big fluctuations in temp can kill fish.
7. Some kind of substrate & driftwood? Maybe sand?
Sand works, PFS is what most recommend (pool filter sand). You can run the driftwood in a dishwasher if you don't want it to leach tannins in the water. Otherwise your water will be coffee-colored.
8. I want some sort of plants.
What did you have in mind? Some easy starter plants are hornwort, java fern, pennywort, java moss, anacharis, anubias, crypts, water sprite and water wisteria.
Aloha Kipa hou mai

I wrote in bold red. Hope this helps!

Oh and please don't forget to read this link!
The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling

 

[Lowryder]

Also, to save you some money, check craigslist. They almost always have a tank or two for sale. You might see a complete setup for $100