G'Day to you all.
I'm 67 retired since June 14. We recently did the downsize and sold the house to move into an apartment. I kept a 55 & 75 gal aquarium years ago but moved and never bothered to set them up again. We always had a dog and cats and don't feel like we would like to keep them while living in an apartment. Just doesn't seem right to me. So I'm looking to start up a tank again.
Space will not allow a big tank, so here are the specs I would like to work with:
40 gallon tall tank L 30" x H 22" x W 12" and I'll have to spring for a furniture grade stand because the wife won't like a metal stand.
I already have a Rena XP2 filter system new. AAP-Rena Filstar Aquarium Filter | XP1 & XP2 & XP3 & XP4 | Parts
No decision made on heater yet.
Substrate - minimum amount, 1 layer of larger 3/4" polished pebbles just to cover the bottom.
No live plants but some artificial plants for one corner farthest away from the filter.
Fish desired, school of ~15 Serpae Tetra, 2 Discus both of which I have kept before and have experience with. Plus a cat and a pleco with a couple of other community type fish but not to over crowd.
Lighting; I can see much has changed while researching the hobby. Most particularly lighting options. I am on a retired budget but I think I can spring for a BeamsWork or Finnex LED system. But that's where all my questions begin.
How am I doing so far. What else should I know or haven't thought of. I look forward to scouring the forum pages and any comments for advice.
Thank you ......Bill
I'm 67 retired since June 14. We recently did the downsize and sold the house to move into an apartment. I kept a 55 & 75 gal aquarium years ago but moved and never bothered to set them up again. We always had a dog and cats and don't feel like we would like to keep them while living in an apartment. Just doesn't seem right to me. So I'm looking to start up a tank again.
Space will not allow a big tank, so here are the specs I would like to work with:
40 gallon tall tank L 30" x H 22" x W 12" and I'll have to spring for a furniture grade stand because the wife won't like a metal stand.
I already have a Rena XP2 filter system new. AAP-Rena Filstar Aquarium Filter | XP1 & XP2 & XP3 & XP4 | Parts
No decision made on heater yet.
Substrate - minimum amount, 1 layer of larger 3/4" polished pebbles just to cover the bottom.
No live plants but some artificial plants for one corner farthest away from the filter.
Fish desired, school of ~15 Serpae Tetra, 2 Discus both of which I have kept before and have experience with. Plus a cat and a pleco with a couple of other community type fish but not to over crowd.
Lighting; I can see much has changed while researching the hobby. Most particularly lighting options. I am on a retired budget but I think I can spring for a BeamsWork or Finnex LED system. But that's where all my questions begin.
How am I doing so far. What else should I know or haven't thought of. I look forward to scouring the forum pages and any comments for advice.
Thank you ......Bill