55 gallon low light tank...cannister filter needed? - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

penpitt · 09-08-2005, 11:59 AM

[acronym:b6a0bb15a1="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1] the equipment included in those kits have needed to be replaced within a year. In the long run I think you would be better off buying everything seperately. The up-front cost may be a little higher but you get better quality equipment which will save you the cost of replacing it later.
You can check out some [acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1]/[acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1] and see what type of deals they have on a tank/hood/light/stand setup. I can get that here(55 gallon) for around $225 with a real wood stand, not a metal or pressed wood stand.Right now they even have a 75 with the above equip for 300.I'm sure they are some members here who could tell you where some good shops are in the Chicago area.If you are a [acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1]'er you could make your own stand and save even more money.
If you can I would recommend getting filters,heaters,etc online at bigals or drsfostersmith. You would save roughly 50% over the prices of buying locally.

Here are some links to check out prices.

penpitt · 09-08-2005, 12:04 PM

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=2885;pcid2=

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=3231;pcid2=

Sorry about the 2 post. I clicked the wrong page

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...4+22769+113565

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113767

Others may have a better knowledge of heaters then me. I use Rena but since I live in AZ i rarely need to use them so they have lasted over 5 years so far with no problem. I really only need them in the tank maybe 2-3 months out of the year

Xzap · 09-08-2005, 12:30 PM

Here's something I do quite a bit to save some $$ and I don't have to wait for shipping, plus if there's a problem, I don't have to worry about returns/shipping again, etc..

I'll use the Fluval 404 as an example since I just bought one a few weeks ago.

Drs. F&S have it for $124.99 + shipping.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&N=2004+22777

Big Al's has it for $99.99 + shipping.
Big Al's

PetsMart list in ON LINE for $114.99, in the store it's $179.00 !
PetsMart

Print out the PetsMart on line page, make sure their logo is on the page somewhere, and take it with you to the store and tell the manager you want a "price match". They will sell it to you for the online price

They don't advertise this, and they really don't like doing it, but I do it a lot

Thx,

dave

gfink · 09-08-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xzap

Print out the PetsMart on line page, make sure their logo is on the page somewhere, and take it with you to the store and tell the manager you want a "price match". They will sell it to you for the online price

They don't advertise this, and they really don't like doing it, but I do it a lot

NICE!!

greenmaji · 09-08-2005, 03:25 PM

what I was trying to say.. if your not going to be injecting [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330]
then you need more surfase aggitation to get the [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330]
being consumed by the plants back in the tank from the [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330]
in the air.. minimizing surfase aggitation is not a good idea in a low light low tech tank
so keeping a splash would be a good thing, airstones ect. ect. ect....

Jason the Lost · 09-08-2005, 03:49 PM

OK, I understand.

So it seems like my best bet to successfully operate a low light tank and minimize future cost for upgrades would probably be to just start with the canister and have an outside source of surface agitation such as an airstone or two ( I kind of like the bubbles/sound anyway). Depending on what kind of deal I can find I may get a 55 to 75 gallon tank. Would one filter with the correct turnover and the airstones be enough for circulation in the tank for low light or would a powerhead be recommended?

greenmaji · 09-08-2005, 03:54 PM

If you get a filter you should have enough flow.. If you get a 75 go for a canister..
If you are getting a 55 I would say you could do [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] or canister...
and suplementing with a airstone will minimize future upgrades with a filter thats
approprite for [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] injection.. [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c]'s and canisters are compatible with [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] injection
minius the bio-wheel [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c]'s, and those could be used without the bio-wheel..

09-08-2005, 11:59 AM	#11
penpitt Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chandler,Az Posts: 274 Images: 3	[acronym:b6a0bb15a1="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1] the equipment included in those kits have needed to be replaced within a year. In the long run I think you would be better off buying everything seperately. The up-front cost may be a little higher but you get better quality equipment which will save you the cost of replacing it later. You can check out some [acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1]/[acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1] and see what type of deals they have on a tank/hood/light/stand setup. I can get that here(55 gallon) for around $225 with a real wood stand, not a metal or pressed wood stand.Right now they even have a 75 with the above equip for 300.I'm sure they are some members here who could tell you where some good shops are in the Chicago area.If you are a [acronym:b6a0bb15a1="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:b6a0bb15a1]'er you could make your own stand and save even more money. If you can I would recommend getting filters,heaters,etc online at bigals or drsfostersmith. You would save roughly 50% over the prices of buying locally. Here are some links to check out prices. __________________ 80 gallon [acronym="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym]:3 clown loaches, 2 angels, bloodfin tetras and 1 albino BN pleco,1 Farlowella. 46 gallon [acronym="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym]: kuhli loaches, otos, black neon and black phantom tetras, 3 pitbull plecos. 50 gallon [acronym="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym]: 1 green spotted puffer

09-08-2005, 12:04 PM	#12
penpitt Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chandler,Az Posts: 274 Images: 3	http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=2885;pcid2= http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=3231;pcid2= Sorry about the 2 post. I clicked the wrong page http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...4+22769+113565 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113767 Others may have a better knowledge of heaters then me. I use Rena but since I live in AZ i rarely need to use them so they have lasted over 5 years so far with no problem. I really only need them in the tank maybe 2-3 months out of the year __________________ 80 gallon [acronym="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym]:3 clown loaches, 2 angels, bloodfin tetras and 1 albino BN pleco,1 Farlowella. 46 gallon [acronym="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym]: kuhli loaches, otos, black neon and black phantom tetras, 3 pitbull plecos. 50 gallon [acronym="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym]: 1 green spotted puffer

09-08-2005, 12:30 PM	#13
Xzap Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Triad, North Carolina Posts: 577 Images: 45	Saving some money :) Here's something I do quite a bit to save some $$ and I don't have to wait for shipping, plus if there's a problem, I don't have to worry about returns/shipping again, etc.. I'll use the Fluval 404 as an example since I just bought one a few weeks ago. Drs. F&S have it for $124.99 + shipping. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&N=2004+22777 Big Al's has it for $99.99 + shipping. Big Al's PetsMart list in ON LINE for $114.99, in the store it's $179.00 ! PetsMart Print out the PetsMart on line page, make sure their logo is on the page somewhere, and take it with you to the store and tell the manager you want a "price match". They will sell it to you for the online price They don't advertise this, and they really don't like doing it, but I do it a lot Thx, dave __________________ 10 [acronym:78f832904f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:78f832904f] planted with 1 male betta. Mostly anacharis. 29 [acronym:78f832904f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:78f832904f] planted community 1.9 [acronym:78f832904f="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:78f832904f] 90 [acronym:78f832904f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:78f832904f] planted community 2.9 [acronym:78f832904f="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:78f832904f]

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09-08-2005, 03:25 PM	#15
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	what I was trying to say.. if your not going to be injecting [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330] then you need more surfase aggitation to get the [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330] being consumed by the plants back in the tank from the [acronym:47e1a33330="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:47e1a33330] in the air.. minimizing surfase aggitation is not a good idea in a low light low tech tank so keeping a splash would be a good thing, airstones ect. ect. ect....

09-08-2005, 03:49 PM	#16
Jason the Lost Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	OK, I understand. So it seems like my best bet to successfully operate a low light tank and minimize future cost for upgrades would probably be to just start with the canister and have an outside source of surface agitation such as an airstone or two ( I kind of like the bubbles/sound anyway). Depending on what kind of deal I can find I may get a 55 to 75 gallon tank. Would one filter with the correct turnover and the airstones be enough for circulation in the tank for low light or would a powerhead be recommended?

09-08-2005, 03:54 PM	#17
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	If you get a filter you should have enough flow.. If you get a 75 go for a canister.. If you are getting a 55 I would say you could do [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] or canister... and suplementing with a airstone will minimize future upgrades with a filter thats approprite for [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] injection.. [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c]'s and canisters are compatible with [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:00ddb5e27c] injection minius the bio-wheel [acronym:00ddb5e27c="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:00ddb5e27c]'s, and those could be used without the bio-wheel..