Advice On New Tank

[veccy888]

I have just bought a 48''x18''x12'' tank.
just want some advice as to what filter, heating & lighting would be suitable for a mixed tank with plants & sand.

 

[tenohfive]

You'll be looking at an external filter. Someone else should get back to you soon, but try looking up a tetratex EX1200 (think thats the right one.)

I nearly bought the same size tank and thats what I was looking at.

 

[Davo86]

ok that works out at 170litres, so IMO you would be better off with an external filter, although you could go for something like a fluval 4 or similar if you are only wanting to keep smaller species. As for heating you will be looking at a 200W heater
Lights may be slightly harder as they will depend on what types of plants and also whether you wan't to lightly plant or heavily plant your tank, does the tank not have any lighting atm?

 

[veccy888]

At the moment it's just the tank with no lighting so a setup from scratch is in order, I would like it fairly well planted

 

[Davo86]

At the moment it's just the tank with no lighting so a setup from scratch is in order, I would like it fairly well planted

ok in that case would you mind if the top ws open or would you prefer a hood?

overhead lighting (T5's) is the obvious choice for planted tanks but this does leave the top of the tank open, the alternative would be to get a carpenter to make you a wooden hood and then simply screw some light fittings into the hood

the T5 can be seen on this page from this site

 

[veccy888]

I could make a hood myself but the t5 looks really good

 

[Davo86]

The 'Arcadia Luminaire 48" Freshwater T5 4 x 54W" should fit, but it retails at around £210