Primordialsoup
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2020
- Messages
- 28
Hi everybody! I'm new to the site and this is my first post other than my introduction. I'm preparing to set up my first large aquarium and I have a couple questions about some of the equipment it will need. recently I got a big 90 gallon that I have big plans for in the near future. We just ordered a stand for it but that's the easy part, the hard part is mostly the electronic side of things. It's just going to be a tropical freshwater tank. I hugely apologize in advance if this turns into a long post but I'll try to break it up.
Covering:
My first question is do they just make a basic aquarium hood for this thing? I haven't been able to find a hood large enough to cover the entire top and not risk fish jumping out. A hood would be the easiest for me but if that isn't an option I found a glass aquarium canopy with a center brace that is 48 x 18 so I feel like it should cover the tank just fine. My only concern is that it might hinder putting in heaters, aeration, filtration etc unless I could drill slots for those into it. This is it to be exact. https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Canopy-Gallon-Aquariums-Center/dp/B01N6MYOHS
Lighting:
If I can't find a hood then what I felt was the best lighting option based on my research is this thing since I also want to grow live plants in there, https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Aquarium-Customizable-Sunrise/dp/B0812MYPN7, the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC. If anybody here is familiar with this device, is it a good one? Will it completely light the tank or just give enough for the plants? I'd the prefer the former. Secondly would a glass lid hinder its' effectiveness? I don't even begin to know how to attach it to the tank. Is there a better option for a budget?
Filtration:
I want to use a canister filter not only to save room but because I've heard really great things about them and normal filters are hard for me to figure out. The best one I could find is designed for large aquariums and has pretty good ratings on Amazon. It's called the Fluval FX4 high performance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N45GLZQ/ref=twister_B08LWX6RFW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 . The thing is its' insanely powerful and apparently does about 700 gallons per hour. It's recommended for tanks quite a bit larger than my 90. My friend who always had gorgeous aquariums told me that to minimize cleaning and make your tank extra clear you want to use a filter that's a step up in power from what's designed for the one you have. Like if you have a 10 gallon you want to use a 20 gallon filter but he also said you don't don't want to use one that's too powerful or you'll turn your tank into a whirlpool. Is that the case or would significantly more powerful be okay? My other best option for a budget based on good amazon feedback seems to be the Fluval 07 series here. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JH4JHTC/?tag=aquariumadviser4-20. Would it be good enough?
Heating:
I've always had trouble with aquarium heaters. I can never really seem to get them to work 24/7. I've tried regular heaters, floating heaters and those heaters where you can use the dial at the top to set it at what heat you want. I've gotten them to work but a lot of the time the water still feels cold to the touch when it's set pretty high and sometimes feels cold to the touch even though it felt warm earlier. Often the light won't even be on despite the heater being plugged in. I've only used a simple stick on thermometer in the past and I've heard digital ones can be more accurate and I also know about digital heaters and thermostats that you can use to keep the tank where you want it. Can anybody recommend good heaters for a 90 gallon and how to use them effectively full time? Based on the types of fish I want to put in there at the moment I want to keep the water at a constant 77 f and very occasionally maybe gradually put it up to 80 f for a few days to encourage some possible reproduction among the guppies, platys and mollies.
Finally my last question, and thank you so much for bearing with me, is a very tiny scratch the tank must have sustained when we brought it into the basement. It's no longer than your thumbnail and pretty shallow plus it's only on the outside of the glass, not the inside. I still don't want it turning into a crack with the water pressure. I plan on putting some Aqueon silicone sealant on it before filling with water. Will that be safe enough? I can't easily replace this aquarium as it was very pricey.
Thanks so much for reading! All feedback will be very appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you!
Covering:
My first question is do they just make a basic aquarium hood for this thing? I haven't been able to find a hood large enough to cover the entire top and not risk fish jumping out. A hood would be the easiest for me but if that isn't an option I found a glass aquarium canopy with a center brace that is 48 x 18 so I feel like it should cover the tank just fine. My only concern is that it might hinder putting in heaters, aeration, filtration etc unless I could drill slots for those into it. This is it to be exact. https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Canopy-Gallon-Aquariums-Center/dp/B01N6MYOHS
Lighting:
If I can't find a hood then what I felt was the best lighting option based on my research is this thing since I also want to grow live plants in there, https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Aquarium-Customizable-Sunrise/dp/B0812MYPN7, the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC. If anybody here is familiar with this device, is it a good one? Will it completely light the tank or just give enough for the plants? I'd the prefer the former. Secondly would a glass lid hinder its' effectiveness? I don't even begin to know how to attach it to the tank. Is there a better option for a budget?
Filtration:
I want to use a canister filter not only to save room but because I've heard really great things about them and normal filters are hard for me to figure out. The best one I could find is designed for large aquariums and has pretty good ratings on Amazon. It's called the Fluval FX4 high performance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N45GLZQ/ref=twister_B08LWX6RFW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 . The thing is its' insanely powerful and apparently does about 700 gallons per hour. It's recommended for tanks quite a bit larger than my 90. My friend who always had gorgeous aquariums told me that to minimize cleaning and make your tank extra clear you want to use a filter that's a step up in power from what's designed for the one you have. Like if you have a 10 gallon you want to use a 20 gallon filter but he also said you don't don't want to use one that's too powerful or you'll turn your tank into a whirlpool. Is that the case or would significantly more powerful be okay? My other best option for a budget based on good amazon feedback seems to be the Fluval 07 series here. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JH4JHTC/?tag=aquariumadviser4-20. Would it be good enough?
Heating:
I've always had trouble with aquarium heaters. I can never really seem to get them to work 24/7. I've tried regular heaters, floating heaters and those heaters where you can use the dial at the top to set it at what heat you want. I've gotten them to work but a lot of the time the water still feels cold to the touch when it's set pretty high and sometimes feels cold to the touch even though it felt warm earlier. Often the light won't even be on despite the heater being plugged in. I've only used a simple stick on thermometer in the past and I've heard digital ones can be more accurate and I also know about digital heaters and thermostats that you can use to keep the tank where you want it. Can anybody recommend good heaters for a 90 gallon and how to use them effectively full time? Based on the types of fish I want to put in there at the moment I want to keep the water at a constant 77 f and very occasionally maybe gradually put it up to 80 f for a few days to encourage some possible reproduction among the guppies, platys and mollies.
Finally my last question, and thank you so much for bearing with me, is a very tiny scratch the tank must have sustained when we brought it into the basement. It's no longer than your thumbnail and pretty shallow plus it's only on the outside of the glass, not the inside. I still don't want it turning into a crack with the water pressure. I plan on putting some Aqueon silicone sealant on it before filling with water. Will that be safe enough? I can't easily replace this aquarium as it was very pricey.
Thanks so much for reading! All feedback will be very appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you!