CaysE
Aquarium Advice Freak
So here's a fun little story. My girlfriend's parents have owned a 10 gallon tank for a couple years now, with the typical fake plastic plants, weak lighting, and too many fish that will eventually outgrow it. A fish would die every couple weeks and it would eventually get restocked.
I gradually started applying some good practices to the tank... I snuck on a spare timer I had lying around so the lights would keep a consistent cycle. I left an "Aquariums for Dummies" book lying around. I eventually even did water changes whenever I was there.
Recently was the last straw... a baby angelfish ended up in the tank. I proclaimed up and down that this fish will far outgrow the tank and will not be healthy living in there with 6 other fish. For weeks I would quietly toss in comments in conversation that this fish has to go, and I could help them make a truly pleasing tank for the owners and the inhabitants.
Last week, all that was left in the tank was the angel, now already almost 4 inches top to bottom. They gave in. I simply asked, "would you like me to manage this tank?" and they said yes.
So now it's go time! I started with the obvious... the angel went back to the fish store. It's the only fish that ever survived that tank, I'm afraid. Hopefully he's off to bigger and better places.
Next was location. The tank was sitting at the far end of the kitchen counter, constantly prone to slamming cabinet doors, heat from the dishwasher, and curious cats. With funding from them, I picked up a nice 10 gallon stand with cabinet and located a much more peaceful spot in the dining room with minimal sunlight exposure. So far, so good!
I completely cleaned out the tank yesterday and dropped in a bag of Eco-Complete. Everything seems to be set up pretty well: heater works, thermometer works, filter works (though a bit noisy), timer works, and battery backup works. Progress is going smoothly.
So today I'm at a crossroads. The lighting needs to be upgraded, which could easily become a couple hundred dollar ordeal if I'm not careful. I'd like to not spend too much cash, but I'll need to get set up with a 30-40 watt CF; either with a retrofit or a completely new hood.
This is where I need your help. Please let me know what you would suggest as a good lighting solution without breaking the bank. The hood on there now is a Perfecto 20" with a 15 watt fluorescent.
I gradually started applying some good practices to the tank... I snuck on a spare timer I had lying around so the lights would keep a consistent cycle. I left an "Aquariums for Dummies" book lying around. I eventually even did water changes whenever I was there.
Recently was the last straw... a baby angelfish ended up in the tank. I proclaimed up and down that this fish will far outgrow the tank and will not be healthy living in there with 6 other fish. For weeks I would quietly toss in comments in conversation that this fish has to go, and I could help them make a truly pleasing tank for the owners and the inhabitants.
Last week, all that was left in the tank was the angel, now already almost 4 inches top to bottom. They gave in. I simply asked, "would you like me to manage this tank?" and they said yes.
So now it's go time! I started with the obvious... the angel went back to the fish store. It's the only fish that ever survived that tank, I'm afraid. Hopefully he's off to bigger and better places.
Next was location. The tank was sitting at the far end of the kitchen counter, constantly prone to slamming cabinet doors, heat from the dishwasher, and curious cats. With funding from them, I picked up a nice 10 gallon stand with cabinet and located a much more peaceful spot in the dining room with minimal sunlight exposure. So far, so good!
I completely cleaned out the tank yesterday and dropped in a bag of Eco-Complete. Everything seems to be set up pretty well: heater works, thermometer works, filter works (though a bit noisy), timer works, and battery backup works. Progress is going smoothly.
So today I'm at a crossroads. The lighting needs to be upgraded, which could easily become a couple hundred dollar ordeal if I'm not careful. I'd like to not spend too much cash, but I'll need to get set up with a 30-40 watt CF; either with a retrofit or a completely new hood.
This is where I need your help. Please let me know what you would suggest as a good lighting solution without breaking the bank. The hood on there now is a Perfecto 20" with a 15 watt fluorescent.
