help the noob

[methalorange]

i just recieved a free 20G tank
but it came with nothing - just a bare tank

i know i need filters, heat, lights, etc
but could someone maybe go though everythign a bit more specific for me

what EXACTLY do i need? and also what types (as i know there are a lot of different types of filters and heat etc.) ?

im new and want to save as much money as possible by buying the right equipmet the first time

oh and the tank is eventualy going to hold cichlids - probably convicts to start
so with that info i hope someone can help me get started

thanks

 

[ploughking]

Welcome to AA :d

you may find that cichlids in a 20 gal may be a bit crowded. Cichlids grow large and are voracious eaters and being in a small tank may stunt their growth. You will need a heater of sufficient power - if you look around the LFS you may find a tank starter kit of the same size. Get a heater like one in that. For a filter get a fluval 3 - or if that is too big, try a 2. Unless you go for a powerhead and plug it into an underwater mechanism. You will need a UV light - choose carefully as different lights affect the tank. Like Sun-glo is good for fish, yet Flora-glo is best for a planted tank. 8O
If you are new to the hobby try something simple unless you have been good and done all your research. 20G is a decent sized tank so if you cant afford the heater, you could fit 2 goldfish in that.
HTH

 

[Holton]

Hi meth im holton iv had cichlids all my life so if you have any questions about cichlids pm /personal message me. you might have trouble with cichlids in a 20 but if you get the right ones youll be fine.
you'll need a cover with two 23 watt lights or around there.
you'll need a 100 watt heater or two 50 watts.
sorry I dont know about filters. but I sudgest an under grou nd filter with a tube that hucks up to the hang on the back filter.
but I need to know what cichlid they are to tell about decor.

 

[Endgame319]

I reccomend you getting the equipment online. Even with shipping you'll find it to be much cheaper than anything you can get at a lfs. Try http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/. I've bought from them a few times and so far haven't encountered any problems. Go with any 100w heater (avoid radiant if you can, but if your really on a tight budget you'll be fine), an Aquaclear 200 power filter (the fluvals that ploughking suggested would work too, but they are much more expensive, especially for canadians). You'll also need a flourescent canopy (the most expensive part). Accessories(nets, filter media, conditioners, and thermometers) are also much cheaper online. Good luck with the new tank!

 

[chasgood]

Is it a 20 regular 24" long or a 20L 30" long?
If you plan on having live plants get plenty of light wattage. 1.5 to 2 watts per gallon. twin tube or compact flourescent light strip. 30 to 40 watts. And a glass canopy.
AquaClear and Penguin filters are both good.
The fully submersable heaters are generally better than the hob heaters. 75 to 100 watt.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Unless you're planning on going with a planted tank, a basic flourescent light strip will be fine. You can get either a plastic or glass canopy. I prefer glass, but the plastic ones are a good bit cheaper and will work just as well. Just make sure you get one that covers the entire top of the tank.

IMO, getting a quality SUBMERSIBLE heater is the single most important thing for you to do. Cheap heaters WILL fail/malfunction. Period. Anyone that hasn't had this happen to them is living on borrowed time (I learned the hard way when a cheap HOB heater stuck in the "ON" position and cooked my tank at 97F). I'd recommend an Ebo Jager submersible heater, or one of the Deluxe Visi-Therm submersibles. I've got an Ebo that's almost 12 years old and it's still running perfectly! As far as wattage goes, you'll be fine with 75 watts.

I'm a big fan of Millenium and Aqua Clear filters. I'm about to be an on-line heretic- but I don't like Penguin or the Bio Wheel filters. I've never had one that didn't burn out after a year or so- and those wheels always clog up and/or get really noisy. I've got Milleniums and ACs that are over eight years old and are still going strong.

With cichlids, you can either use sand or gravel as a substrate (I prefer sand). Decor can consist of driftwood, rock, NEW terra cotta pots, etc. Most plants won't survive a cichlid tank, as they like to dig/rearrange the substrate. I use java fern and java moss attached to wood and rocks in my cichlid tanks.

I'd be worried about keeping cons in a 20 gallon tank. Some better cichlid choices would be kribensis, Bolivian rams, or perhaps some jewels.

Hope this helps.

Steven