Got A New,used Tank

[spazzinout53]

Hey well this morning i got a 20 gallon tank with everything , heater filter hood light and the tank, for 20 bucks! I filled it up with about 2 inches of tap water and have been scrapping off the little algae on the sides on the tank, ive also been washing out the filter heater and hood. Is there anything else i should use to clean the stuff before i begin to cycle the tank? I have a 5 gallon tank now, so i know a bit about fish-keeping.Oh, does anyone know of good hardy low lying plants? Im thinking of having 2-3 tall java fern in the back around some sort of center piece but i cant think of any good plants to plant around the front of the tank
Thanks

 

[rabbut]

Foreground plants......How much light do you have, and how tall did you want them to grow?

I would finish off cleaning with tap water, before filling and starting your fishless cycle A little media from you existing 5gal will realy help things along, often quatering the time spent cycling the new tank Also, keeping decor out of the tank while you cycle will make life far more easy for you, as algea will bloom while the tank is cycling

Good luck with the new toy
Rabbut

 

[spazzinout53]

well im thinking liek 3-4 inches? i dont no. I just relized i have a 15 w bulb which im guessing is wayyy to low. How many watts should one be if i get a new one?
thanks for the idea of keeping the decorations out, but does that include plants and gravel?

 

[rabbut]

most low lieing plants need lots of light, arround 2 or three watts per gallon. This would mean that you are looking for arround 40watts worth of light over your tank.

Unfortunately I'm not too well up on ground coverers, so mebe another member will be able to help out here. I can't think of any that would be suited to less than 1 wpg, which is what you have now.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[lovemyfraggies]

When I buy a used tank I always let the tank soak with water and bleach and then rinse it out really good. Never had a problem.