Hi all, I'm just starting my setup for a new 26 gallon freshwater aquarium. I've owned 10 gallon aquariums before but, ashamedly, never really took the time to learn proper care. I'd like to be more serious about it for this tank, and I'd appreciate any advice you can offer about my setup.
Right now, in terms of what I own, all I have are the components which came with the 26 gallon bowfront Aqueon Deluxe Aquarium Kit (Quiet Flow 30 Power Filter, 15W T8 fluorescent light, 200W heater). Based on what I've read, I'm a bit worried about the filter not being strong enough; but I've started to cycle my tank anyway, with the plan to upgrade the filter if it appears to be inadequate.
I'm still mulling over fish stocking options, but I'm thinking of getting some fairly safe community fish. For example, this seems reasonable to me right now:
I'd like for this to be a low-tech planted tank, as I like the idea of live plants, but I'm not looking for anything high maintenance. Here are some plants I am interested in:
To support the plants, I'm thinking of laying down a 2.5"-3" bedding of Eco-complete, for any nutrients that those plants may need, and with room to grow in the future if I want plants with deeper roots. I'm also considering purchasing the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus 6500K light as a replacement for the stock light, although I'm worried that it's too bright and will promote algae growth without additional CO2 (it's 28 PAR at my tank's height). I will probably add 1-2 pieces of driftwood for some verticality.
That's about as far as I've come with planning, and since there is a lot of information that I'm trying to absorb, I wanted to just lay it out and see if this sounds like a reasonable setup. Thanks!
Right now, in terms of what I own, all I have are the components which came with the 26 gallon bowfront Aqueon Deluxe Aquarium Kit (Quiet Flow 30 Power Filter, 15W T8 fluorescent light, 200W heater). Based on what I've read, I'm a bit worried about the filter not being strong enough; but I've started to cycle my tank anyway, with the plan to upgrade the filter if it appears to be inadequate.
I'm still mulling over fish stocking options, but I'm thinking of getting some fairly safe community fish. For example, this seems reasonable to me right now:
- 6 Neon Tetras
- 4 Panda Cories
- 1 Dwarf Gourami
I'd like for this to be a low-tech planted tank, as I like the idea of live plants, but I'm not looking for anything high maintenance. Here are some plants I am interested in:
- Amazon Sword
- Java Fern
- Anubias Nana
- Dwarf Sagittaria
- Dwarf Hairgrass
To support the plants, I'm thinking of laying down a 2.5"-3" bedding of Eco-complete, for any nutrients that those plants may need, and with room to grow in the future if I want plants with deeper roots. I'm also considering purchasing the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus 6500K light as a replacement for the stock light, although I'm worried that it's too bright and will promote algae growth without additional CO2 (it's 28 PAR at my tank's height). I will probably add 1-2 pieces of driftwood for some verticality.
That's about as far as I've come with planning, and since there is a lot of information that I'm trying to absorb, I wanted to just lay it out and see if this sounds like a reasonable setup. Thanks!