SittingDuck
Aquarium Advice Regular
I've recently got back into the aquarium hobby after taking approx 6 years off due to lack of space in the place(s) we were living. A LOT has changed since I was last interested in running a tank (Especially the prices of fish!)
I've setup my aquarium approx 4 weeks ago and have left my filters running non stop to get the tank ready. It's a 130 Gallon aquarium with a 2217 eheim filter, a 250 Aquaclear filter and a....something, I don't know the brand name cause it's faded off (it's over 10 years old), 40 gallon filter with a protein skimmer (Total filtration approx 200 Gallons).
I recently picked up a test kit and the pH level is pretty high at 7.5. I am NOT a fan of cichlids as I find them to be too aggressive. I'm more into the community based tank with Tetras and easy going fish.
I also picked up a new 300 Watt heater that is totally submerssable, and suprisingly enough, has raised the temp of the water to 81 degrees. It's placed at the center bottom of the tank with the cord running up the side (Any ideas on what I can use to hide it? It really is ugly).
I also plan in having a planted aquarium and after doing a lot of reading I have found that in order to both lower the pH consistantly, and keep it lowered, and to have a healthy planted tank it will require a C02 system of some kind. I'm not willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a C02 system, or continually dump money into keeping the C02 system running (buying replacement C02 canisters every 2 weeks for example). The "Pop bottle" solution makes me nervous because it seems like a LOT of work having to replace the baking soda, yeast and sugar every couple of days...also having it sitting in a "Warm" aquarium doesn't appeal to me as I have young kids who would most likely try to bathe in anything that isn't covered.
I have sufficient lighting for plants with over 600 Watts in four florescent bulbs...however these lights are rather old and I haven't replaced them from the first time I bought the tank over 10 years ago.
So a couple of questions:
1. What is a good pH level for the types of fish that I have mentioned above and what is the best way for me to keep the pH at that level? I've read that chemical treatment is a temporary fix, so I don't want to be adding chemicals if they aren't going to help.
2. What C02 system would be a good solution? I'm not worried about a DYI approach, just looking for one that will be the easiest to implement and most cost effective.
3. I've been reading on this site about "Cycling" the tank with our without fish. What does that mean? About 10 years ago we used to have to "Sacrifice" a fish by putting it in the tank when it was almost ready and letting it die to get the tank ready for fish. Is this what Cycling the tank means?
4. What is the prime temperature of the aquarium to support Tetras and other community fish? I've read between 76 and 81 degrees, but it doesn't specify which types of fish thrive at 81 degrees and which ones don't. Is 81 degrees too high for plants?
5. With initial setup of the tank is it recommended to do the periodic water changes of 25% even though the tank isn't established yet, or is it safer to add fish and do the maintenance once the fish are in there?
If anyone has any suggestions or comments I would love to hear them. As I mentioned a LOT has changed since I was last in the hobby and I feel like a n00bie.
I've setup my aquarium approx 4 weeks ago and have left my filters running non stop to get the tank ready. It's a 130 Gallon aquarium with a 2217 eheim filter, a 250 Aquaclear filter and a....something, I don't know the brand name cause it's faded off (it's over 10 years old), 40 gallon filter with a protein skimmer (Total filtration approx 200 Gallons).
I recently picked up a test kit and the pH level is pretty high at 7.5. I am NOT a fan of cichlids as I find them to be too aggressive. I'm more into the community based tank with Tetras and easy going fish.
I also picked up a new 300 Watt heater that is totally submerssable, and suprisingly enough, has raised the temp of the water to 81 degrees. It's placed at the center bottom of the tank with the cord running up the side (Any ideas on what I can use to hide it? It really is ugly).
I also plan in having a planted aquarium and after doing a lot of reading I have found that in order to both lower the pH consistantly, and keep it lowered, and to have a healthy planted tank it will require a C02 system of some kind. I'm not willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a C02 system, or continually dump money into keeping the C02 system running (buying replacement C02 canisters every 2 weeks for example). The "Pop bottle" solution makes me nervous because it seems like a LOT of work having to replace the baking soda, yeast and sugar every couple of days...also having it sitting in a "Warm" aquarium doesn't appeal to me as I have young kids who would most likely try to bathe in anything that isn't covered.
I have sufficient lighting for plants with over 600 Watts in four florescent bulbs...however these lights are rather old and I haven't replaced them from the first time I bought the tank over 10 years ago.
So a couple of questions:
1. What is a good pH level for the types of fish that I have mentioned above and what is the best way for me to keep the pH at that level? I've read that chemical treatment is a temporary fix, so I don't want to be adding chemicals if they aren't going to help.
2. What C02 system would be a good solution? I'm not worried about a DYI approach, just looking for one that will be the easiest to implement and most cost effective.
3. I've been reading on this site about "Cycling" the tank with our without fish. What does that mean? About 10 years ago we used to have to "Sacrifice" a fish by putting it in the tank when it was almost ready and letting it die to get the tank ready for fish. Is this what Cycling the tank means?
4. What is the prime temperature of the aquarium to support Tetras and other community fish? I've read between 76 and 81 degrees, but it doesn't specify which types of fish thrive at 81 degrees and which ones don't. Is 81 degrees too high for plants?
5. With initial setup of the tank is it recommended to do the periodic water changes of 25% even though the tank isn't established yet, or is it safer to add fish and do the maintenance once the fish are in there?
If anyone has any suggestions or comments I would love to hear them. As I mentioned a LOT has changed since I was last in the hobby and I feel like a n00bie.