crossthreaded
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2007
- Messages
- 13
my dad used to raise african cichleds in the basements when I was younger and I saw this tank on craigslist for a good deal and decided to pick it up. I will use this thread to hopefully show other newbies the process of setting up a tank and getting everything going.
55 gal tank, with stand, fixture, lids, and a whole box of aquaclear filters and plants, aquasafe, etc. bought for 50 bucks.
I filled the tank up last night and got the filter all setup and going to start cycling the tank. I have previous experience with bioponics and aquaponics but from the plant standpoint not the fish standpoint so this will be new to me. eventually I would like to setup an aquaponics setup on top of the tank. I know a fair amount about BB, as well as ph drift and such. the nitrite and nitrate levels are new to me though. I do have a ppm meter and ph meter, although I doubt they will be necessary.
my goal is to have a nice looking tank with some fish, and a few other creatures that look good but don't need 2 hours of maintenance every day. I don't mind a little work, but am pretty busy and cant devote too much time. I wish I could though, some of the tanks on here rock.
but first things first, any suggestions on a few fish that I can get put in there to start things moving? just something hardy and colorful that will live through my newbie mistakes.
the heaters that they have at petsmart, is it really necessary to get the 300w heater for my tank? it just seems like an awful lot of heating power, I don't have a/c so my tank should stay fairly warm anyways.
I will get some pictures put up when I get home tonight, I'm at work right now.
55 gal tank, with stand, fixture, lids, and a whole box of aquaclear filters and plants, aquasafe, etc. bought for 50 bucks.
I filled the tank up last night and got the filter all setup and going to start cycling the tank. I have previous experience with bioponics and aquaponics but from the plant standpoint not the fish standpoint so this will be new to me. eventually I would like to setup an aquaponics setup on top of the tank. I know a fair amount about BB, as well as ph drift and such. the nitrite and nitrate levels are new to me though. I do have a ppm meter and ph meter, although I doubt they will be necessary.
my goal is to have a nice looking tank with some fish, and a few other creatures that look good but don't need 2 hours of maintenance every day. I don't mind a little work, but am pretty busy and cant devote too much time. I wish I could though, some of the tanks on here rock.
but first things first, any suggestions on a few fish that I can get put in there to start things moving? just something hardy and colorful that will live through my newbie mistakes.
the heaters that they have at petsmart, is it really necessary to get the 300w heater for my tank? it just seems like an awful lot of heating power, I don't have a/c so my tank should stay fairly warm anyways.
I will get some pictures put up when I get home tonight, I'm at work right now.