New 55gal FW tank, Need Advice!!

[kissmyfish]

I just started a 55gal FW tank, a new upgrade from my 10gal. I know all the basics but I'm lost when it comes to what type of filtration to buy and lighting. I currently have NO lighting and I want something thats bright and clear, not yellow. Also I was looking into buying a Fluval 305 canister filter, any good? I really need some good advice on these things, I want good quality but I'm also on a budget.

 

[shadowstars123]

I just started a 55gal FW tank, a new upgrade from my 10gal. I know all the basics but I'm lost when it comes to what type of filtration to buy and lighting. I currently have NO lighting and I want something thats bright and clear, not yellow. Also I was looking into buying a Fluval 305 canister filter, any good? I really need some good advice on these things, I want good quality but I'm also on a budget.

I'd recommend 405 instead, 305 offers not enough filtration for a 55. Well satifactory. You can buy a 48" florescant or t5 lighting, depending on your type of tank, planted or not. MH is also available, but you're on a budget

 

[McLumpy]

Hi and welcome to AA!

Are you planning on having live plants in your tank? If not, then a standard fixture w/ T8 bulbs should suffice, (although it may look a little "yellow"). Otherwise, a 48" T5 fixture w/ 1 Actinic bulb will make the colors really 'pop'! This is the fixture that I have over my 55g planted community tank and it works great! Although, I needed the full 56w for my plants so I changed out the Actinic w/ a 6700k bulb. But when I did have the Actinic bulb in there, it looked incredible!

 

[jetajockey]

If you want really white colors then go with 10000k bulbs, actinics are going to give it a blue color. Anywhere between 6500k-10000k is pretty good for white colors but the white gets more crisp as you get higher up in numbers, but past 10k it starts getting more and more blue.

 

[WendiDell]

When it comes to choosing filters you also need to consider what your bio-load will be. What type of fish are you planning on keeping and how many? Will your tank have real or artificial plants?
And this part is a personal preference, but I like having 2 filters on my tanks as do some other people. It helps keep my water crystal clear. I rarely need to rinse my filters, maybe three times a year. Not needing to mess with my filters and doing weekly PWC keeps the NitrAte levels stable.

 

[melosu58]

Welcome aboard. We are glad you found us here at AA.