I Need Some Help

[Seiyuuki]

Okay, first off

I am having my brother [a glass cutter] design an a-typical tank in that rather than being square/rectangular is it circular due to the area where the tank is going.

The tank is going to be roughly between 40 to 60 gallons... we are undecided on the size right now.

So I have a question(s):



1. how does one figure a heater in terms of gallons?

2. what is the best type of filter for the above number of gallons

3. the base type of bubbler


anything else would be loved for info

and suggestions of HARDY fish for this size

 

[WILDER]

Just go to filters and heater it will say how many gallons the filters and heaters are for.

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...t=322&seq=X

 

[Seiyuuki]

I can easily get this information from a pet store.

Is there any actual advice here or what

 

[wendywc]

It varies, but IMO...

- For a heater, it should be 50 watts for each 10 gallons of tank.

- For an okay/pretty good filter, it should be 5x the amount of gallons for its gallons-per-hour (gph) flow rate. For a great filter, it should be 7x to 10x for the gph. I prefer a filter that has a biowheel (i.e., a HOB or Eclipse system) or that you can load with bioballs or whatever media you'd want (i.e., a canister system). Additionally, I hate undergravel setups since they collect too much detris and get clogged in the long run, plus you can't have sand with such a setup.

- As for bubblers, I personally don't use them myself.

 

[Tolak]

The standard for heaters is 5 watts per gallon. This is an average , and will depend on how warm the area is that you plan on keeping the fish in, and what the temperature range of the fish are. For example, discus kept in a cooler place, like a basement with minimal heat, will need closer to 10 watts per gallon, while many types of cats, if kept in a warmer area could easly get by with 2 watts per gallon.

Filtration is in many ways dependant on the type and quantity of fish you plan on keeping, as well as aesthetics. I'm assuming, being a circular tank, that it will be viewed from all sides, or nearly so.

For a lightly to average stocked tank with smaller community fish you could get by with a small canister. The inlet and outlet could be hidden by decorations pretty easily, and is fairly inexpensive. You could also go with an inline heater, removing one mechanical object from the tank.

For larger or more messy fish such as cichlids or larger catfish, a sump may be a better option. This would fit underneath, hidden by the stand. Since your brother is experienced with glass he could easily drill the bottom, and make a smaller tank for the sump beneath. Once again, the heater could be hidden in the sump, and the sump will increase your water volume, an advantage with more messy fish.


In any case, an air powered bubbler in a show tank is more for the aquarist, if they like to see that in a tank. It will be fine without it, but if you like that look there are plenty of different bars, lines, and rings out there that are beyond the basic air stone.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

if your having a custom build and want it viewable from everyside i'd contemplate building all your equipment into whatever it's going to stand on so it's not visible from outside. you could get the tank bottom drilled to house the in/out pipes for the filter and use a cannister filter and external heater, it'd be a bit pricey but I'd certainly consider doing it if it was my tank. There's a bloke on here who'se done a similar thing with a cube tank, i'll dig out the thread for you to have a look at.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

here's the thread

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=193267&hl=

 

[Seiyuuki]

thanks now does anyone know of any hardy fish??

I was thinking either guppies, betas, mountain clouds, or danios

 

[vinylman]

Guppies aren't hardy, you need to be careful what you keep with Bettas and WCMM are best kept in cooler water. To keep them with tropicals would be denying either group of fish the best conditions.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

hmmm a tank that size and circular has the potential to be absolutely stunning, i would be very careful with fish selection to keep it looking beautiful.

IMO tanks generally look best with large groups of just a few species (too many colours and species looks a bit noah's arky to me!) if it was my tank I would stock

2 silver banded angels
large shoal of congo tetras
large shoal of dwarf neon blue rainbows
large shoal of cories
and probably a handful of aman shrimp to control algae

nothing difficult to keep there but i think it would look lovely