Hello all. I've just joined the forums to see if I can up my knowledge levels before I commit to this hobby. Been wanting a tank for about a year now, started reading up on it and realised the kind of investment of time and patience is required, and money as well. A year down the road I'm still confused about some things, but think I'm ready to dive in so to speak. I want to set-up a beginner FW tropical tank. So here is briefly a set-up I'm looking to get followed by some questions.
I'm looking at a kit from my LFS,
36 gal bowfront glass tank with stand,hood and light
Emperor 280 bio-wheel
standard gravel/thermometer etc in the kit
I already have a ph and ammonia liquid test kits. tap water reads at 7.0 ph after standing for a day.
Do I need a different filter or will the kitted one suffice? Do I need an undergravel filter?
How do I start up a tank for fishless cycling without borrowing things from a mature aquarium that I don't have access to?
Should I use real plants or plastic ones? what would be the learning curve on learning how to deal with real plants? And If I go with real (which is definitely preferable) which species would be best? Do I add them before the tank is cycled or after?
And finally what should I stock the aquarium with? Originally I wanted to go with Oscars but then I realised that they grow up to 9 in. I really like Pearl Gouramis, Tiger barbs but not sure if they're compatible with each other
TIA for your guys help, and I'll keep you updated on my progress with pictures and the like
I'm looking at a kit from my LFS,
36 gal bowfront glass tank with stand,hood and light
Emperor 280 bio-wheel
standard gravel/thermometer etc in the kit
I already have a ph and ammonia liquid test kits. tap water reads at 7.0 ph after standing for a day.
Do I need a different filter or will the kitted one suffice? Do I need an undergravel filter?
How do I start up a tank for fishless cycling without borrowing things from a mature aquarium that I don't have access to?
Should I use real plants or plastic ones? what would be the learning curve on learning how to deal with real plants? And If I go with real (which is definitely preferable) which species would be best? Do I add them before the tank is cycled or after?
And finally what should I stock the aquarium with? Originally I wanted to go with Oscars but then I realised that they grow up to 9 in. I really like Pearl Gouramis, Tiger barbs but not sure if they're compatible with each other
TIA for your guys help, and I'll keep you updated on my progress with pictures and the like