Buying A New Tank

Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a 20
gallon tank to start off with. However, I have no idea what I need and
what quantities to get.

I will need to get a filter, of course. There are several models, and
from what I can see on the market the ones that hang on the back of the
tank are the least expensive. I have seen what looks like a decent
model: Aquaclear. What do you think? What size would you recommend for
my tank?

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will require a heater.
Again there are so many types and power ratings that it is difficult to
choose without any knowledge. What do you recommend?

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height
at about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity
that I need to buy?

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single 15w
flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my fish.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I have to set up
my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior to putting in my fish (1
week to be exact). Can someone explain this to me?

Anything else that I have overlooked?

Thanks,

Jenny.

"Jenny_S" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a 20
gallon tank to start off with. However, I have no idea what I need and
what quantities to get.

I will need to get a filter, of course. There are several models, and
from what I can see on the market the ones that hang on the back of the
tank are the least expensive. I have seen what looks like a decent
model: Aquaclear. What do you think? What size would you recommend for
my tank?

Aquaclears are excellent and last for years. The replacement sponges are
not expensive.

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will require a heater.
Again there are so many types and power ratings that it is difficult to
choose without any knowledge. What do you recommend?

Get the BEST you can afford. Make sure it's adequate for the gallonage of
your tank. Cheap heaters can stick in the on position and boil your fish.

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height
at about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity
that I need to buy?

The shop keeper can help you there. Lowe's and HomeDepot sell small brown
gravel by the 50 lb bag for something like $2.99. The pet shop will charge
you about $16.00 for half that amount. 1" is deep enough.

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single 15w
flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my fish.

Those lights are very dim. I like the incandescent reflectors with two 40w
bulbs.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I have to set up
my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior to putting in my fish (1
week to be exact). Can someone explain this to me?

I never used it - sorry.

Anything else that I have overlooked?
Thanks,

Jenny.

Spend some time on Google as there are more webpages covering aquariums than
you can possibly read. :-)

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

Welcome to the obsession.

Start he http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html


Pay special attention to the process known as cycling. There are many
artificial products out there, such as 'cycle', but I have never used
them, and have had fine results.

billy

--
¼á
"Jenny_S" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a
20

Many people avoid the magic fish potions like Cycle. There are simple
natural(?) alternatives we use all the time. Get something for removing
chlorine in your tap water though.

Expensive high intensity lights are all intended for live plants. The
light hoods typically sold with aquariums are for the observer, only to
see the fish. Don't worry about it so much for right now. You typically
can't use Walmart light hoods to grow plants anyways. I'd stick
with fluorescent for versatility and cost.

I think a 20gal glass tank would be a very good choice. A 50W heater
should be plenty, although a 75W may not work as hard. If you live in
the South like me and keep your house about 75 degrees anyways.....
50W. I'd recommend the type you can totally submerge, so you can hide
it behind rocks or whatever.

Just enough 1/8" - 1/4" gravel to cover the bottom of the tank is
typically fine for most fish only tanks. If you have burrowers or live
plants, they require 1+ inches. Most beginners will use plastic plants,
so an inch will be the minimum only to hold the plants down. Flat
gravel is boring. A 50lbs bag will give you a little to play with.

Get ya' a 20g glass tank, 50lbs of ~1/4" gravel, a 50W heater and a
nice Hang On Back filter. I hear the filters using the bio-wheel are
very good. Invest in an air pump for a 10 gallon aquarium and an
airstone (the bubble walls are cool!) and some airline. Some
inexpensive fish and you'll be in it for less than $100, no problem.

Read, girl, read. There's a whole lot of info available just on the
net.

http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html

Jenny_S wrote:
Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a 20
gallon tank to start off with. However, I have no idea what I need and
what quantities to get.

I will need to get a filter, of course. There are several models, and
from what I can see on the market the ones that hang on the back of the
tank are the least expensive. I have seen what looks like a decent
model: Aquaclear. What do you think? What size would you recommend for
my tank?

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will require a heater.
Again there are so many types and power ratings that it is difficult to
choose without any knowledge. What do you recommend?

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height
at about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity
that I need to buy?

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single 15w
flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my fish.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I have to set up
my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior to putting in my fish (1
week to be exact). Can someone explain this to me?

Anything else that I have overlooked?

Thanks,

Jenny.


I'd recommend the Aquaclear filter, because of its foam pads that last
for years. With other hang-on filters youhave to replace "cartridges"
regularly, and so you're throwing away the valuable bacteria that grow
in your filter. The cartridges can also get costly over time.

There's somethign to be said for buying a complete aquarium package -
because it saves money. As another poster wrote, please be sure the
system has fluorescent light (less excess heat and other advantages).

Steve

"Billy" wrote in message
...
Welcome to the obsession.

Start he http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html


*****Pay special attention to the process known as cycling****.


Hi Jenny S,

That comment required quintuple emphasis. Not understanding the nitrogen
cycle in aquaria is a main culprit for early frustration with the hobby.
Bacteria develop in the substrate you lay down (and on plants and
decorations, and inside your filter media), which deal with the waste
products that fish generate. Knowing how this works is important, since (as
I've read NetMax say) fish basically live in their own toilets. Gross, but
accurate. :-)

A couple more things I'd add to your shopping list are

1) a water test kit ($20-35). You'll need to track pH, ammonia, nitrites
and nitrates (the reasons why will become more clear once you read TheKrib
FAQ)
2) a gravel vacuum (a simple siphoning vac is a great help towards keeping
a tank clean. $10-15)

If you are going to use tap water for your aquarium, you might want to
"scout out" in advance how appropriate it is for keeping fish. If you have
well water, have your local fish shop (LFS) test your water for you, to see
if there's anything funky you may need to treat for (depending upon your
area, well water can have non-neutral pH, low level phosphates, or other
suprises which your fish may not like). If you have city water, ask your
town for a water quality report. If your water is chlorinated, you will
need a product to dechlorinate your tap water. Dechlor products can also
contain additional water treatments and additives which help the fish out.

The best advice anyone ever gave me when I was starting out was; Add fish
slowly!!! You'll want to jump in and put six or ten fish into your first
tank, and nothing could be worse for getting the tank established, and more
frustrating due to loss of fish. Read about cycling new tanks.

Regards
DaveZ
Atom W

Jenny_S wrote:
Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a 20
gallon tank to start off with. However, I have no idea what I need and
what quantities to get.

I will need to get a filter, of course. There are several models, and
from what I can see on the market the ones that hang on the back of the
tank are the least expensive. I have seen what looks like a decent
model: Aquaclear. What do you think? What size would you recommend for
my tank?

Go with aquaclear, and size get one that is minimum for 20 gal getting a
bigger one is not a bad thing, getting a smaller one is a bad idea. IMO
get one that uses sponges a lot less hassle and cheeper. I have on
sponge that is over 5 years old(from previous owner). If it dosent have
a sponge you can get one of a close size and put it in yourself.

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will require a heater.
Again there are so many types and power ratings that it is difficult to
choose without any knowledge. What do you recommend?
Go with a brand name like hagen for 20 gal I would get a 100 watt or better

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height
at about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity
that I need to buy?
It's not just for decoration, It roots plants and grows bacteria witch
is needed.

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single 15w
flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my fish.

Your fish don't care what kind of light, but if you are going to have
live plants now or in the future florecent is the way to go.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I have to set up
my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior to putting in my fish (1
week to be exact). Can someone explain this to me?

Read up on-line, personaly I don't use such products. I get a fish and
throw him in nature will take over and start to cycle, that one fish
might die but it's for a better cause. once the cycle is compleat you
can add more fish without worry.
Anything else that I have overlooked?

Gravel Vac, depending on fish some need hidding spots so orniments or
rock caves.

Good Luck, And enjoy your new addiction

Thanks,

Jenny.

Hello Jenny..

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of
getting a 20 gallon tank to start off with. However, I
have no idea what I need and what quantities to get.

A 20 gallon / 80 liter beginner's tank is fine!

I have seen what looks like a decent model: Aquaclear.
What do you think?

Aquaclear is o.K.!

What size would you recommend for my
tank?

Depending on these species you wish to keep. Some really
like water movement. The most lake species not really.

In what species are you interested in?

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will
require a heater.

For tropical fish, only.

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration.
How much is usually put in?

2-3" / 5-8 cm for living plants.

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single
15w flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my
fish.

Maybe enough for watching fish. Not enough to allow the most
plants growing well. Take a chance to start to the hobby
with an equipment that allows you keeping different plants
2x15W or 2x18w should be enough. Plants finally help to
keep water clean and most species feel better kept within
living plants.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I
have to set up my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior
to putting in my fish (1 week to be exact). Can someone
explain this to me?

Products like "Cycle" contain (not so many!, not
enough!) filter bacteria. But nitrificants finally exist
anywhere - for example in sand - and finally grow without
"Cycle". But that groth needs time. They grow slowly. So
please be patient and wait 3 weeks before buying the first
fish.

Anything else that I have overlooked?

Please study the internet, books, and finally choose fish
relating to _your_ water. Fish that peacefully coexist with
other fish.

Any other question? Than please ask.. ;-)
--
cu
Marco

On Tue, 06 Dec 2005 20:02:57 -0800, Jenny_S wrote:

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height at
about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity that I
need to buy?

If you think you'd like to have live plants, either now or in the future,
I'd go with 2-3 inches of fine gravel. What I use is tration sand, which
should be available cheap if you live somewhere that has snow in the
winter.

Wash it to get out the dust.

Welcome to the wonderful world of fish keeping. IMO, 20 G is bit too
small. You will be looking for a bigger one in 6 months or so. I'd go
for the 55 G tank. Cost not that much more but you will be able to
enjoy it for a long time.

Make sure your floor can support the weight. 10 lbs per G is the rough
number to go by. 20 G you are looking at about 200 lbs. 55 G, you are
looking at about 550 lbs.

If you have small kids, make sure the tank is in a place that not
going to be knocked over. 20 G is lots of water on your floor, 55 G is
like a small flooding. Not to mention the broken glass could hurt the
kids too.

I would buy the siphon to clean the gravel and to make change water
easier. Maybe a plastic bucket to hold the water too.

Something to condition your tap water is a must!


Hello,

I am starting into the aquarium hobby and was thinking of getting a 20
gallon tank to start off with. However, I have no idea what I need and
what quantities to get.

I will need to get a filter, of course. There are several models, and
from what I can see on the market the ones that hang on the back of the
tank are the least expensive. I have seen what looks like a decent
model: Aquaclear. What do you think? What size would you recommend for
my tank?

To keep the tank water at the right temperature will require a heater.
Again there are so many types and power ratings that it is difficult to
choose without any knowledge. What do you recommend?

The bottom of the tank usually has gravel for decoration. How much is
usually put in? The tanks at the store seem to have the gravel height
at about 1", is this height correct. How do I calculate the quantity
that I need to buy?

The tank I was looking to but is equipped with a single 15w
flouorescent tube, is this sufficient light for my fish.

I have also been told by the person at the store that I have to set up
my tank with a product called "Cycle" prior to putting in my fish (1
week to be exact). Can someone explain this to me?

Anything else that I have overlooked?

Thanks,

Jenny.