Hey guys!
I was leaving the house this morning and noticed you had both replied. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys! Hopefully you had a great day! Thanks to you guys, I have learned a lot in the past few days. It doesn't go unnoticed.
Caleb, those are some good points you bring up about the Penguin series filter. If there is anything I can't stand is loud droning noises... there are two air pumps and they resonate within the shelf I put them on. Well, right now one of the air pumps is on the windowsill and it is very loud. I read that you should keep the air pump higher than the water level of the tank because it can drain water if the power stops, seems legit! That is a bit offtopic though, lol. Thanks for the great recommendation, I think I might go with the filter you suggested when we get the next one! For now I'm going to use the filter from the 10 gallon as well as the one that came with the 30 gal kit, not for too long though. I want to get a bunch of nice plants to go in the tank, actually I really liked the looks of all the plants you suggested. My favorite you mentioned was the Vallisneria. I did a quick google images search for them all and I think it would be cool to have that long grassy type plant. Seems fun for a fish, lol!
Sinibotia, I actually went to Lowes and got the smallest bag of "Quickcrete Premium Play Sand" - it was 50 pounds!
Lol. Pretty good deal though for the amount you get for less than 5 bucks. I also bought two 5 gallon buckets (ive been tediously using one gallon jugs, lmao) first thing I did when I got home was started cleaning the sand. That was probably an hour ago, maybe a bit more. I've been trying to get the water super clean looking after being stirred. You didn't really emphasize it had to be pristine... how clean should it be? I don't want to put the sand in and have dirty looking water... but I guess thats what the filters are for! Actually, how thick should the sand be at its deepest point? I imagine it can be slightly natural looking but as far as cleaning the sand... fish waste should hang out on the surface of the sand (right? lol), while with gravel it can all fall through the cracks and never seen again. Anything else I should be aware of when I add the sand?
I'm about to go and take all of the gravel I put into the 30 gallon out and get it ready for the sand... I put a lot in there too, lol. It shouldn't take TOO long! I plan on using the big fish net I have and collect most of it. Do you guys think I should do anything else to prepare the tank for the new fishes? I think I am going to take Caleb's good graces and put everything except the gravel from the 10 gallon tank including the filter, along with my fishes. I'm kinda worried about the pleco though... I don't feel like he is as hardy as the goldfish... but hopefully it will all go well with daily water testing and changes if necessary. If you don't think its a good idea, please let me know! I'll definitely check back in before doing anything!
You guys are the best. Honestly, very big thanks to you from all of us!
Thanks also for dealing with all of our questions. I know it can be annoying sometimes. I've been in your same position before only with a much different topic, lol.
Take care!