New 40 Gallon.... Help?

[KrystaK]

My friend gave me a 40 gallon tank. I've cleaned it out - it was very dusty. And yeah I threw out the gravel and plants that came with it because they were uncleanable

I've read that a sand substrate is better than gravel. So I was hoping to use sand and just have some gravel mixed in to give it a little bit of colour, I assume that would be fine? I'm thinking of using Super Naturals sand substrate, but I have no idea how I 'rinse before adding to tank'. How do I rinse before adding to the tank? Also, how do I clean it when i do water changes, or should I get an algae eater or something to help clean it for me?

Apparently it's good to suppliment a fishies diet with peas and zucchini and such, but none of the local pet stores, or the Petsmart, stock in flakes or pellets like that. They have 'algae waffers' and such for fishies that eat algae.... Some of the veggie things they offer have 'whole herring' and all these other not veggie things in them so I don't think they count as veggies...The veggie stuff is 'Omega one veggie rounds' Would I have to go buy peas and grind them up or something to suppliment their diet or are those 'veggie' flakes the store offers fine?

Last but not lease: What sort of fishies can I put in the tank when its cycled? I have 2 Platy's and a molly as it is, but I'd like to get 2 more Mollies and a platy to make it 3 of each. I'm debaiting on a goldfish or two and maybe some schooling fish - which schooling fish do people suggest. And Im not sure about the gold fish, what do people think?
Actually, just to get a bit of variety, if you had a 40 gallon, what would you put in it?

 

[KittyKat]

How do I rinse before adding to the tank? Also, how do I clean it when i do water changes, or should I get an algae eater or something to help clean it for me?

In a bucket, with water, as many times as it takes for the water to run clear after you've stirred it. I prefer to use play sand and wash it in batches which fill the tank by 1/4. Algae eaters won't clean the sand for you, the filter should pick up most of the crap, you need to pick up the rest with a syphon.

Apparently it's good to suppliment a fishies diet with peas and zucchini and such, but none of the local pet stores, or the Petsmart, stock in flakes or pellets like that.

Peas and courgettes are vegetables, not a type of prepared fish food Look in the canned goods and fresh vegetable section of your local food shop.

Would I have to go buy peas and grind them up or something to suppliment their diet or are those 'veggie' flakes the store offers fine?[/u]

It depends on the species of fish you keep. Normally, I feed fresh courgette and boiled and de-shelled frozen peas (squishing them for smaller fish).

Last but not lease: What sort of fishies can I put in the tank when its cycled? I have 2 Platy's and a molly as it is, but I'd like to get 2 more Mollies and a platy to make it 3 of each. I'm debaiting on a goldfish or two and maybe some schooling fish - which schooling fish do people suggest. And Im not sure about the gold fish, what do people think?
Actually, just to get a bit of variety, if you had a 40 gallon, what would you put in it?

Goldfish are not suitable because of their adult size and water temperature preferences. What are the dimensions of the tank? They affect the suitable stock.

 

[KrystaK]

OOOk so Just put the sand in a bucket and add water and let the water drain out a corner basically?.... carrying all the gunky stuff with it hopefully?
Hmm.... I never knew there was a canned food section that could help

The tank is 36x18x16

 

[KittyKat]

OOOk so Just put the sand in a bucket and add water and let the water drain out a corner basically?.... carrying all the gunky stuff with it hopefully?
Hmm.... I never knew there was a canned food section that could help

Actually peas from frozen are better as canned ones can contain other stuff.

Yes, I needed to rinse each portion of sand about 6 times last time I washed it: http/aquariumadventure.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/adding-sand-and-filling-the-aquarium/

The tank is 36x18x16

And your tap water pH?

Provisionally either:
* 15 tetras of one species
* 10 Corys of one species
* 1m 2f Apistogramma of a harem species, such as A. cacatuoides or A. agasizzii

…or…
* 15 rasboras of one species
* 10 dwarf chain loaches
* 1m 2f dwarf gouramis or another species of peaceful gourami

Loaches and Corys should have sand.

 

[Clarousel]

OOOk so Just put the sand in a bucket and add water and let the water drain out a corner basically?.... carrying all the gunky stuff with it hopefully?
Hmm.... I never knew there was a canned food section that could help

The tank is 36x18x16

Yep that's right. Sand is heavy so it'll sink while the dirt would float and flow out with the water. I rinsed my gravel 6 times before the water was clear-ish.

I feed my fish frozen peas, defrosted and chopped into tiny bits