Hi All

[Ian1357]

I have lived in Cocoa, Fl for the last fifteen years, but I am origianally from Featherstone, West Yorkshire. My last sojurn into fish keeping was about 40 years ago.It was a community tank which I only had for about 4 years.
I am now going to start a new 36 gallon bow fronted planted tank. So far I have a tank and a base, and some kit. This consist of a 40GPH Hob filter, a 30 inch Finnex 24/7 Led light, recent thrift store find , two heaters. Don't ask.
I have changed my mind several times as to what I want to stock. Initially it was Endlers and Red Cherry Shrimp. Then White cloud Mountain Minnows. Now it is Mollys, I think.
So wish me luck. Oh and any help and advice will be very much appreciated.

 

[gwand]

Welcome to the forum. Advice? That’s what we do best. Even when you don’t want it!

 

[Innesfan]

Welcome to what I am sure will become your favorite think tank.

 

[emeraldking]

Welcome to our forum...
Sufficient members overhere who are willing to help you out with all of your questions. And take your time to think which types of fish you really want in there...

 

[Archerfish]

Welcome @ Ian1357! You are in a great location to collect the Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna). When your fish room expands, (and they tend to do that!) you might also consider keeping a species tank of American Flag Fish (Jordanella floridae) which you can also collect in nearby canals. I wish you luck!

 

[jaylach]

To be honest I don't consider a 40 gallon per hour filter sufficient for a 36 gallon tank. I aim for 5-6 water turnovers per hour and you are just getting a touch over one turnover. By 'turnover' I mean how many times per hour the filtration processes the entire volume of water in the tank.

As an example I have a 20 gallon tank that I keep procrastinating as to setting up. When I finally get off my butt and do it, it will have under gravel filtration. Even though it is only 20 gallon I'll be running four filtration risers. Two will be air driven and the other two will have small 127 GPH power heads. Of course I won't run the power heads even close to full power. Granted in that my main fish like fast water flow but I'd still never want to go under 3 water turnovers per hour.

 

[Fish Fan1]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Ian1357]

To be honest I don't consider a 40 gallon per hour filter sufficient for a 36 gallon tank. I aim for 5-6 water turnovers per hour and you are just getting a touch over one turnover. By 'turnover' I mean how many times per hour the filtration processes the entire volume of water in the tank.

As an example I have a 20 gallon tank that I keep procrastinating as to setting up. When I finally get off my butt and do it, it will have under gravel filtration. Even though it is only 20 gallon I'll be running four filtration risers. Two will be air driven and the other two will have small 127 GPH power heads. Of course I won't run the power heads even close to full power. Granted in that my main fish like fast water flow but I'd still never want to go under 3 water turnovers per hour.

Hi. sorry I had a blond moment. My filter is not a 40GPH but 200gph. The 40 is the model number.