My Tank Plan Advice Needed After A Long Break From Fish Keeping

[j070]

hi to all on tf fi am planning on setting up a 98litre tropical comunal tank and need advice i
so far on the list to buy is 
light
60cm T5 Fish Tank Lights Two Tubes - Black 
 
filter
Aquarium External Filter 1000 L/H + 9W UV
 
heater not decided yet so suggestion welcome
 
substrate either fine gravel or sand
 
tank decor already have a nice piece of bogwood and will get some rocks which will all be cleaned 
 
plants undecided as there is alot of choice so suggestions welcome
 
testing kit suggestions on this please
 
air pump and air line  to run air stone 
 
thanks
j070 james
 
 
 
 

 

[DrRob]

Kit always depends on stock in the same way that stock depends on kit.
 
I'm guessing, but I suspect that I know what filter you're looking at and it's worth noting that they're not the most powerful bit's of kit going. I have the 2000lph version turning over a 30 inch tank which isn't a whole lot bigger than yours and I'd not be happy with anything less. On the flip side I'm not at all convinced that the UV does anything useful, which saves you a bit in the difference. Also watch the size of these beasties, they're quite large and don't always fit into cabinets the way people expect.
 
Heaters, to be honest I buy whatever is going.
 
I have an airpump somewhere, I've even been known to use it occasionally, but they're far from essential kit if the pump on the filter is any good. My advice, save that cash and buy a bigger filter.
 
Ultimate advice, plan what you want to stock, and then come up with a kit list, then we can make more concrete suggestions.

 

[Ch4rlie]

+1 on DrRob post.
 
Heater anything really as long as it is at least 100w, 200w would be a bit better.
 
Your filter sounds ok but basically depends what you plan to stock tank with.
 
Airstones and pump really basically for decor, but good to have in just in case, will come in useful sometimes.
 
Substrates depends on what fish you would like, for example you want cories, then sand is best.
 
So you are best to, as DrRob says, plan on what you would like to stock then take it from there. 
 
Go to LFS, have a look around, note names of fish you like, do a bit of research if suitable for your tank size and how many and post your shortlisted list to us and we can offer advice on your list.

 

[j070]

hi thanks for the replys im going to go for this list of fish as a giude
tetras
plattys
guppys
corydora not decided on which type
also any other suggestions given my tank size 
thanks
j070 james