Heater Help

[mbriggs84]

Looking for a good heater for a 29 gallon tank. Any recommendations? Size? Brands?

Also, I have an unrelated question. The pH level in my tank appears to be around 6(possibly lower, I'm using some leftover test strips, but plan on getting a better kit). I'm going to start cycling my tank as soon as I get a new heater. What effect does my low pH have on the cycle, if any. Also I was going to go with a community set up, just some basic mollies guppies swordtails... Are these fish going to be ok with such a low pH? Should I do anything to adjust? or just consider different fish?

 

[waterdrop]

Hi mbriggs84 and Welcome to TFF!

Unfortunately I think you should seriously consider fish that like a softer more acid water, like amazonian fish. There are quite a wide variety of these types, including many of the tetras and other sorts. It's not absolutely essential, but one of the advantages of finding a forum like this is that we can sort of tell you what might work out a little better in the long run.

Yes, that pH would give you a very hard time growing our two species of bacteria. I'd recommend that you plan on dosing baking soda right from the start. Make sure it's pure kitchen baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and not baking powder (those sometimes have other ingredients.) Dose perhaps 2 teaspoons per 50L (you'll have to calculate it out.) Give it some days and it should head you toward a pH of 8 or so. (A pH of 8.0 to 8.4 is ideal for the best bacterial growing soup.)

I don't really have any tube heater recommendations, for the most part they are ok. If you are looking for an inline heater to splice into your external cannister tubes then a Hydor 200 would be good for a 29G (in which case you'd have to get the model with the right hose size, as there are two available.) Other members may have some testtube heater recommendations.

~~waterdrop~~