Hi all. Within the next month or two, I will be getting me a 260L tank (40x24x18) and I'm kinda stuck on what to stock it with and what equipment to get for it. (Have to build the cabinet and get all new equipment). I need a bit of help deciding what I need and feel free to chuck some things in that I missed out. Bear in mind that I am a noob at fish-keeping and my current tank and community was an impulse-buy and everything I needed came with it so I didn't have to do any thinking.
All I can think to get so far for my new tank is:
I will possibly make me a 3D background at some point (with an underwater water fall) once I find somewhere that sells the stuff at a price that doesn't make a billionaire cringe.
Stuff I cant decide on:
Fish:
Gonna be honest here. I don't have a clue what fish to get. All I know is that they must be friendly with my Guppies and Platties so no Sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. haha.
Lighting:
I was interested in LED lighting but I have read that they can have a 'Beam Effect' on the water that people get annoyed at. I am also hearing that LED lighting isn't enough, so got confused there and decided to maybe get 1x Fluval Sun-GLO T8 and its Blue Moon equivalent. I take it the Blue Moon tube is for evening/night lighting yeah? If I go with the T8, do I need multiples of each for a tank that size? Also, if you guys do recommend the T8 lighting, do you have any ideas on the lighting unit itself and what one to buy?
Heating:
I was under the impression that you need 1W to heat 1L so I would need say... a 300W heater to heat a 250 - 300L tank, but I was told I need 2x 200W.
Air Pump:
This is a must for me. I find it relaxing. My only issue is what strength pump I need. I'm pretty sure I can't use the one in my current 50L due to the higher water pressure in the bigger tank.
Plants:
I want live plants, I just don't know which ones. The ones I have in my current tank grow like I've been feeding them Miracle Grow so want to avoid those.
So... I think thats it. I know I have probably under looked something and missed it out. Feel free to add it
Thanks in advance for your help
All I can think to get so far for my new tank is:
- 'Caribsea' Super Natural Tahitian Moon Black Sand (would prefer a cheaper alternative because I know I will lose sand over time during cleaning)
- TetraTec EX1200
- Surge protector
- Timers
- Discarded slate or similar, to make a little wall/hiding spot for fish. (I have read a little on checking compatibility with rocks vs aquariums but will still probably ask here before dunking it in the water)
- All the stuff I need for the fishless cycle
- Replacement media
- Seachem Prime
- A bigger bucket for water changes. Will probably find me a plastic barrel.
I will possibly make me a 3D background at some point (with an underwater water fall) once I find somewhere that sells the stuff at a price that doesn't make a billionaire cringe.
Stuff I cant decide on:
Fish:
Gonna be honest here. I don't have a clue what fish to get. All I know is that they must be friendly with my Guppies and Platties so no Sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. haha.
Lighting:
I was interested in LED lighting but I have read that they can have a 'Beam Effect' on the water that people get annoyed at. I am also hearing that LED lighting isn't enough, so got confused there and decided to maybe get 1x Fluval Sun-GLO T8 and its Blue Moon equivalent. I take it the Blue Moon tube is for evening/night lighting yeah? If I go with the T8, do I need multiples of each for a tank that size? Also, if you guys do recommend the T8 lighting, do you have any ideas on the lighting unit itself and what one to buy?
Heating:
I was under the impression that you need 1W to heat 1L so I would need say... a 300W heater to heat a 250 - 300L tank, but I was told I need 2x 200W.
Air Pump:
This is a must for me. I find it relaxing. My only issue is what strength pump I need. I'm pretty sure I can't use the one in my current 50L due to the higher water pressure in the bigger tank.
Plants:
I want live plants, I just don't know which ones. The ones I have in my current tank grow like I've been feeding them Miracle Grow so want to avoid those.
So... I think thats it. I know I have probably under looked something and missed it out. Feel free to add it
Thanks in advance for your help
