SLAYER6669
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- May 25, 2008
- Messages
- 4
Hello everyone,
I'm sure it's a common story, but I had a tank while I was younger and I have wanted to get back into the hobby for a really long time now. I finally have the space to do it and rather than constantly itching to upgrade, I have decided to go all in with a 180 gallon freshwater tank. I just picked up a stand and canopy off craigslist last week so I headed over to my local Aquarium store and ordered the tank the same day and it's there waiting for me now. That is all I have so far and that's why I am here.
Having been out of the loop for so long, I need some advice on what equipment to buy. I am trying to decide on what I will need for filtration, lighting and heating. I can't say for sure what route I am going as far as fish yet. I am trying to decide between doing a large community tank with schools, or possibly a Cichlid tank.
1. I wanted to have at least two canister filters on this tank. I have my eye on the Fluval FX6 but the price tag is a bit hefty. I figured two of these would easily "over filter" a 180 gallon tank. Is there any other options someone can recommend? I certainly want to get one FX6, but maybe something else a bit cheaper as a secondary?
2. As far as lighting, with a 180 tank being 24" deep, would I need to do two full rows of lighting? Then do I get 6ft long fixtures, or two shorter fixtures for each row? I like the idea of LED lighting to keep the electricity costs down. If I end up going community tank, I would probably only do low maintenance and low light plants and not right away. I want to get the tank up and running first.
3. What wattage heaters would be good here? I plan to get two heaters and a controller as well. I live alone so in the winter I am used to lowering my heat down to low 60s since I am at work most of the day and no one is here. I probably will not go so low with the tank here now.
That is all for the moment. Still in the planning stages right now so I'm sure I will have plenty more questions as I fumble my way through. Thanks for reading.
Frank
I'm sure it's a common story, but I had a tank while I was younger and I have wanted to get back into the hobby for a really long time now. I finally have the space to do it and rather than constantly itching to upgrade, I have decided to go all in with a 180 gallon freshwater tank. I just picked up a stand and canopy off craigslist last week so I headed over to my local Aquarium store and ordered the tank the same day and it's there waiting for me now. That is all I have so far and that's why I am here.
Having been out of the loop for so long, I need some advice on what equipment to buy. I am trying to decide on what I will need for filtration, lighting and heating. I can't say for sure what route I am going as far as fish yet. I am trying to decide between doing a large community tank with schools, or possibly a Cichlid tank.
1. I wanted to have at least two canister filters on this tank. I have my eye on the Fluval FX6 but the price tag is a bit hefty. I figured two of these would easily "over filter" a 180 gallon tank. Is there any other options someone can recommend? I certainly want to get one FX6, but maybe something else a bit cheaper as a secondary?
2. As far as lighting, with a 180 tank being 24" deep, would I need to do two full rows of lighting? Then do I get 6ft long fixtures, or two shorter fixtures for each row? I like the idea of LED lighting to keep the electricity costs down. If I end up going community tank, I would probably only do low maintenance and low light plants and not right away. I want to get the tank up and running first.
3. What wattage heaters would be good here? I plan to get two heaters and a controller as well. I live alone so in the winter I am used to lowering my heat down to low 60s since I am at work most of the day and no one is here. I probably will not go so low with the tank here now.
That is all for the moment. Still in the planning stages right now so I'm sure I will have plenty more questions as I fumble my way through. Thanks for reading.
Frank
