FrolfAddict93
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I just scored a 75 gallon fish tank on craigslist for $200. It came with the tank, stand, light, Fluval 404 canister filter, and a dual biowheel HOB filter, and some other odds and ends.
I need some help on getting started. I just filled the tank and it has no leaks. So I started cleaning it. I have scraped the tank with a razor blade to get any nastys off. I plan on scrubbing the tank with an aquarium brush with a 70/ 30 vinegar water solution a few times to completely sanitize it . I then plan on rinsing it really really really well with water and letting it dry in the sun.
Here comes the dumb questions ( I know there is no such thing as a dumb question):
Should I put live plants in the tank?
Is running both those filters overkill?
Should I get an undergravel filter setup with a powerhead?
How long will it take to cycle?
Should I start by adding a few feeders like goldfish/guppies to start cycling?
One of the bulbs that came with the tank is burnt out. Im thinking bout just buying 2 new bulbs do they need to be anything specific?
Should I just upgrade to a led light setup?
I know this is a lot to cover thats why I posted it in the newbie section. I'm not worried about stocking the tank yet because I've heard it can take up to a month to get a full cycle.
I need some help on getting started. I just filled the tank and it has no leaks. So I started cleaning it. I have scraped the tank with a razor blade to get any nastys off. I plan on scrubbing the tank with an aquarium brush with a 70/ 30 vinegar water solution a few times to completely sanitize it . I then plan on rinsing it really really really well with water and letting it dry in the sun.
Is this all i should do to the tank to clean it? The tank wasn't really dirty just some calcium and hard water stains.
Next question is what should I do with the filters that i got with it. They both came with the filter media in them. The filters look pretty clean and are not gunked up with anything.
Should I buy new filters for the bio wheel and new media for the canister filter? I would like to keep them because i have heard it will speed up cycling the tank.
The tank didn't come with an air pump. Do i need one?
Here comes the dumb questions ( I know there is no such thing as a dumb question):
Should I put live plants in the tank?
Is it more work to have live plants in the tank?
How much gravel/rock do i need for this tank?
Is running both those filters overkill?
Should I get an undergravel filter setup with a powerhead?
How long will it take to cycle?
Should I start by adding a few feeders like goldfish/guppies to start cycling?
One of the bulbs that came with the tank is burnt out. Im thinking bout just buying 2 new bulbs do they need to be anything specific?
Should I just upgrade to a led light setup?
I know this is a lot to cover thats why I posted it in the newbie section. I'm not worried about stocking the tank yet because I've heard it can take up to a month to get a full cycle.