Essential Bits Of Kit - For A Beginner

[scubadoo]

I'm off to buy my first tank tomorrow (assuming its in good condition when I see it).

I know I'll need tank, water, fish (but not til its cycled) pretty bits to go in the tank, test kits, food........

.......but what other items would you recommend that somebody starting out needs to get going in the right direction and why ?

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

filter
heater
substrate
ammonia if your going down the fishless cycling route
fish if you cycling with them
and the things you listed

 

[scubadoo]

I'm intending to buy a juwel trigon, which has the heater, filter and lights etc. included.
I think I'm going to need reflectors for the lights as I intend to plant the tank.


I cant decide whether to go down the fishless cycling route or not..........everyone seems to say its the best option, but then lots of people here seem to having problems too

What about things like vacs to help keep the substate clean (I fancy going for sand by the way) - I guess that I need one.

Should i have a set of meds in stock, or just go to the shop if needed ?

 

[dwarfgourami]

You've listed the main big ones you need already. Here are a few smaller things:

buckets- as many as will hold the maximum amount of water you take out at your weekly water change (so at least 2 10-ltr buckets for a medium-sized tank). I like my water changes to flow smoothly so I've actually got double that amount, this way I can mix clean water first, then take out dirty water. Not necessary- but they don't take up much space if stacked within one another.

a plastic measuring jug is useful for adding clean water, and for mixing medicine and plant food, or even for catching fish in

a gravel vac- you can get cheap manual ones at the lfs. Get the smallest one unless you have a massive tank.

nets- easier if you have 2.

an algae scraper. I supplement this with a toothbrush (for small patches, particularly near plants and in awkward corners) and a razor blade for the really tough spots (though mind you don't get near the sealant with it)- these are optionals

DECHLORINATOR

thermometre

 

[scubadoo]

Thanks for that DG

And the list grows................

and the whole thing gets ever more expensive - not sure if I should or

so plenty of buckets....... so how many for a 190l tank 3 or 4 I guess

What about emptying water from the tank during changes - do you just scoop it out or suck on a pipe
or use some kind of pump ? If a pump then I assume you could use this the other way to replenish fresh water without worrying about lifting buckets of water for gravity to take effect. Either way I suppose its not an essential piece of kit.

hmmmm not sure I fancy sharing my mach3 nitro with the fishies & green goo - still i suppose i could use the mrs' ladyshaver and hope she doesn't notice

 

[dwarfgourami]

What about emptying water from the tank during changes - do you just scoop it out or suck on a pipe
or use some kind of pump ?

The cheapest option is a gravel vac, basically a piece of plastic hose with a pipe attachment. You stick the hose in the bucket, the head in the tank, move it up and down a bit to get the suction going and gravity does the rest. Though with that size tank you probably don't want to cart buckets around: there is something called a python, similar sort of thing but with a longer piece of hosepipe attached- so you can empty straight into the sink or flowerbeds. Have never used one myself, but most members with big tanks do. With a python I think you can also add clean water straight from the tap and dechlorinate straight into the tank.