Help With Best Stuff For My New Tank

[hay13]

hi ive just got my new tank and i wanted some advice on the best internal filter,heater and any other bits neccesary for starting up so i can go and buy them ive had a look on here but im not sure if i actually need everything on the lists or not

 

[Always Learning]

Some more information would help people suggest the right equipment

How big is the tank?
What fish do you plan on keeping in there?
Planted, or artificial plants?

Etc

 

[waterdrop]

Agree! Tanks, filters, heaters and other things all need to be matched in the planning process ideally and you've got a great opportunity if you've found this place prior to actually buying anything. That's very rare!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[hay13]

Agree! Tanks, filters, heaters and other things all need to be matched in the planning process ideally and you've got a great opportunity if you've found this place prior to actually buying anything. That's very rare!

~~waterdrop~~

hi my tank is 24 us. gallons i think im going to have artifical plants i have got some drift wood if thats what its called and i havent decided on fish yet i have found a brand new filter for sale it says for tanks 12-30 gallons would that b suitable or do i need to go for a higher one please help

 

[waterdrop]

OK, 24 US gallons is an excellent starting size in the hobby. Large enough that the water chemistry doesn't change on you too fast and yet not so huge as to make normal operations difficult! Wood is aways great - I'd suggest you find a bucket it will fit in and cover it with water in that bucket (hot teakettle water, some of it, if you can the first time) and place it somewhere out of the way like basement, garage, utility room or something so you can see after a few days if it turns the water yellow and if it sinks.) I'd recommend you hold off on putting the fake plants into the tank until after the fishless cycle unless you really feel you need to entertain the kids or something. They will likely get algae on them during the cycle and some of it could be hard to get off. With fake plants you don't need the tank lights to be on except when people are viewing.

Filters are a big deal. They are the core piece of equipment in the hobby. Taking more time learning about them and discussing them will pay off. What make/model are you looking at? Do some searches on TFF both here and in the hardware subforum perhaps.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[drobbyb]

Agree with WD. Filters vary in effectiveness just the way anything else does. They are not created equal, and a cheap filter probably isn't going to be a very good one. As this is your first tank, I would suggest an aquaclear 30 HOB type filter. This filter is a great filter that isn't expensive and has loads of media options. It's the best bang for the buck IMO.

 

[hay13]

Agree with WD. Filters vary in effectiveness just the way anything else does. They are not created equal, and a cheap filter probably isn't going to be a very good one. As this is your first tank, I would suggest an aquaclear 30 HOB type filter. This filter is a great filter that isn't expensive and has loads of media options. It's the best bang for the buck IMO.

hi the one i had looked at was a fluval u2 is that not a very good one as i want an internal filter

 

[waterdrop]

What are your reasons for wanting an internal?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[hay13]

What are your reasons for wanting an internal?

~~waterdrop~~

i just prefer the internal ones

 

[waterdrop]

Well, its true that internals can be much quieter than HOBs and they do take away from the cluttered look of the back of the tank. On the other hand, they are a bit more trouble at filter cleaning time in that they are soaking wet and dripping when you take them out of the tank, lol. Of course that may not be so bad as they are small enough to rest on a towel as you carry them to the sink. The main disadvantage of internals most people cite is that they take up space in the "aquascape" of your tank presentation and of course they don't look natural in the scene. But that's personal.

In general, media volume (more is better) advances from internal to HOB to external cannister to sump, with volume increasing at each step.

In general, cost increases roughly in the same order too although there are exceptions.

In general, noise is quieter for internals and external cannisters and louder for HOBs and sumps.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[guppy1489]

Well, its true that internals can be much quieter than HOBs and they do take away from the cluttered look of the back of the tank. On the other hand, they are a bit more trouble at filter cleaning time in that they are soaking wet and dripping when you take them out of the tank, lol. Of course that may not be so bad as they are small enough to rest on a towel as you carry them to the sink. The main disadvantage of internals most people cite is that they take up space in the "aquascape" of your tank presentation and of course they don't look natural in the scene. But that's personal.

In general, media volume (more is better) advances from internal to HOB to external cannister to sump, with volume increasing at each step.

In general, cost increases roughly in the same order too although there are exceptions.

In general, noise is quieter for internals and external cannisters and louder for HOBs and sumps.

~~waterdrop~~

WD,

Great, I got to know more from here

guppy1489

 

[waterdrop]

So for internals, many members here are partial to Fluvals. One of the problems with internals is that being on the bottom of the cost ladder, the makers try to regain more money by making the media in a form that is stuck to a plastic frame or other structure, ensuring that you can only buy it from them. Fluval is not quite so bad with these little structures, sticking to fairly normal sponges etc. I think.

Anyway a 24G tank would fall in the middle between a U2 or U3 model in the Fluval "U" model line. I'd go with a U3 model if cost wasn't an issue.

With HOBs, Robby has already recommended the model 30 of that Aquaclear model line. The issue here to my mind will be whether the tank is in a bedroom or another room where the noise of the little waterfall might bother someone quietly reading or trying to sleep. It happens more in the winter when the humidity is lower and the tank water evaporates more quickly. Do you know if this is an issue for you?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[hay13]

So for internals, many members here are partial to Fluvals. One of the problems with internals is that being on the bottom of the cost ladder, the makers try to regain more money by making the media in a form that is stuck to a plastic frame or other structure, ensuring that you can only buy it from them. Fluval is not quite so bad with these little structures, sticking to fairly normal sponges etc. I think.

Anyway a 24G tank would fall in the middle between a U2 or U3 model in the Fluval "U" model line. I'd go with a U3 model if cost wasn't an issue.

With HOBs, Robby has already recommended the model 30 of that Aquaclear model line. The issue here to my mind will be whether the tank is in a bedroom or another room where the noise of the little waterfall might bother someone quietly reading or trying to sleep. It happens more in the winter when the humidity is lower and the tank water evaporates more quickly. Do you know if this is an issue for you?

~~waterdrop~~

cheers for all your help it has helped loads and have a idea of what im going for now.
i think ive sorted my heater,filter,light,thermometer and im going to get some real and fake plants also i have some drift wood.what else do i need for the tank and what test kits and bottles of stuff do i have to get, also the best fish that will all get on together for a tropical tank

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, there's something else you need! Knowledge! That's where the beginners section comes in. The equipment (hardware!) doesn't just work all by itself when you bring it home! (hint: the store will certainly act like it does, lol!) Now you need the Beginners Resource Center. That's up above at the top of our forum. Your homework is to read 3 first articles: the Nitrogen Cycle, the Fishless Cycle and the Fish-In Cycle.

What that homework will all be leading up to is this problem that you've got to *prepare* the "biofilter." The biofilter is the magic that makes aquariums work. Its pretty strange stuff! You will find yourself needing to -grow- two specific species of bacteria inside the filter and needing to learn how to run various tests to check up on the growth progress of your baby bacteria. Luckily you don't need to parent these critters for 18 years like I've had to do for my kids, instead your parental duties may only strain you for about 2 months or so. Of course, even at that, 2 months can sometimes really try the patience when the world gave you every reason to think you could just "buy" a pretty tank of fish! Your homework reading will help start your questions about Fishless Cycling (which is what I recommend you do.)

One thing you're right about: you need to be shopping for a water test kit. Its very important that it be liquid-based, not paper strips. Most of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit but there are other options if your selection is different. I don't know whether you have a bottle of "water conditioner" yet? This is a product that lowers risk to your bacteria and fish by removing excess chlorine or chloramines that are normally put in the water to kill bacteria and make the water safe for humans. The product we like best for beginners is Seachem Prime, both because its very concentrated and because its the best we've found for doing some other functions that help beginners. You don't need any other chemicals. You don't need carbon or salt. You don't need pH adjusters or filter start products or any other things in bottles that they try to sell you. Good Luck.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Stocking wise, what kind of fish do you like?