Hi everyone, I used to have 2 freshwater tanks, a 20 and a planted 40 with community fish, platys, corries and other similarly sized fish. Sadly I ended up at a point where I could take care of my kids or fish but not both and I got rid of my tanks.
Fast forward 10 years, we moved to a new home and I am getting a free hexagonal tank (no clue about size yet but based on the pics I am guessing around 40 gal) and stand later today!
Unfortunately, when I got rid of my tanks I got rid of all of my supplies and all fish related stuff except for two books on keeping fish so I need to start all over.
My wife is not nearly as excited about this as I am so I need to do this in the least expensive manner that will allow me to properly care for the fish.
A tall tank like this will fit the best in my new home (bigger house, less good locations for tanks ) so I am committed to this shape.
My old planted tank was beautiful but a lot of work and expensive so I am planning to do artificial plants only. I was thinking about creating a rock wall along the back of the tank, preferably by finding rocks in the area and gluing them together with 100% silicone sealant. I would prefer to use river pebbles for a substrate and then was planning to add a few artificial plants on the rock wall and in the foreground of the substrate.
So, I need a few things from all of you.
Thanks in advance!
Fast forward 10 years, we moved to a new home and I am getting a free hexagonal tank (no clue about size yet but based on the pics I am guessing around 40 gal) and stand later today!
Unfortunately, when I got rid of my tanks I got rid of all of my supplies and all fish related stuff except for two books on keeping fish so I need to start all over.
My wife is not nearly as excited about this as I am so I need to do this in the least expensive manner that will allow me to properly care for the fish.
A tall tank like this will fit the best in my new home (bigger house, less good locations for tanks ) so I am committed to this shape.
My old planted tank was beautiful but a lot of work and expensive so I am planning to do artificial plants only. I was thinking about creating a rock wall along the back of the tank, preferably by finding rocks in the area and gluing them together with 100% silicone sealant. I would prefer to use river pebbles for a substrate and then was planning to add a few artificial plants on the rock wall and in the foreground of the substrate.
So, I need a few things from all of you.
- Does all of that sound reasonable?
- Can I just get a bunch of local rocks, clean them carefully and use them?
- Can I buy river pebbles at Home Depot or do I need to get them from an aquarium supplier?
- Any suggestions on artificial plans that look decent, will last for a while and aren't going to break the bank?
- What are some good fish to use in the tank? I would like fish that are active, look nice, hardy and not crazy expensive and they have to do well in a tall tank.
- For a filter, unless this free tank comes with something, I was thinking about one of the Aqueon LED HOB filters. They look a little better than the old aquaclear filters that I used to use is that a reasonable choice?
- is a HOB filter enough? do I need one under the substrate as well?
Thanks in advance!