New Tank Help - Filtration And Substrate

[fishfreak22]

Hi all, im new to this forum and to fish keeping as well. I have just bought a new 3 ft 30g tank.

I need help on choosing a filter, i think i might get a hang on filter since im not made of money.
I was also considering a second internal filter for biological support. Do you think this is advisable?

Also i was thinking of sand as a substrate, i dont much like he look of gravel.
I've never kept sand before so i need help on how to clean it and keep it safe for the fish.

Please Help!

 

[roseK]

well sand or gravel can also depend on the fish you are getting

 

[fishfreak22]

well i was thinking maybe cichlids but i dunno

 

[Pimp]

cichlids should have sand- clean the sand a lot( until there is no dust in water.)

 

[fishfreak22]

should i just syphon the surface with a gravel cleaner weekly.

and then dig it and turn it monthly?

 

[2day]

Hi all, im new to this forum and to fish keeping as well. I have just bought a new 3 ft 30g tank.

I need help on choosing a filter, i think i might get a hang on filter since im not made of money.
I was also considering a second internal filter for biological support. Do you think this is advisable?

Also i was thinking of sand as a substrate, i dont much like he look of gravel.
I've never kept sand before so i need help on how to clean it and keep it safe for the fish.

Please Help!

hi there. to the forum...

With your filter, i suggest you look into a cannister filter. It simply sucks up water through an intake tube, goes into a body full of media and substrate (meanwhile, water is being cleaned) and then is pushed back out through the tube to the tank again.

For that type of aquarium, it may be worthwhile to look at an eheim. They are the most reliable, well worth filter you can get. A professional II2026 should be sufficient (maybe pro II 2028 a little more, but not much), only if cost isn't an issue...

Tertratec is apparently a very good brand for the cost. You ask anybody on here about them, they would reccomend it to anyone.

Fluval have a good name, but not a good reputation They are known to leak, cause floors to be flooded, and the list goes on. However, their new models (105, 205, 205, 405) have replaced those old models, and are said to not leak at all. If you do get fluval, get the newer model (to make sure its the new model, a dvd on how to set it up should be included). Maybe a 305?

Just re-read, you like hang on the back filter. A lot of people like the eheim liberty ones... i have a dynaflow 3, i think its excellent, but people have different opinions on different filters. Aquaclear are another good brand... Maybe someone can suggest more (i have no idea what lfs sell overseas cause i am in australia)

As for your substrate, many people have sand... it looks much better than gravel, and the fish like it more. If you do end up getting sand, make sure you wash it well... Put a small handfull of sand in the bucket with water, swish, empty, redo, and on with the next handful. It is a long process, but rewarding when you see all the effort put into a nice looking aquarium (it took me 10 hours to wash all of my sand, mainly because it came from a river - and no, there were no pollutants. It was clean, just dirty!)

Anyway, enough of me ragging on. Hope everything goes well with your tank!

 

[fishfreak22]

Thanks 2day, that information helps a lot. (im in australia too)

Im hoping you could help me on info for water changes, i dont know if you have got ure own tank but i was wondering what you reccommend?

Also my tank will be heated obviously, when i make water changes do i need to heat the water to a similar temp, i dont want to shock the fish with cold water.

 

[2day]

Thanks 2day, that information helps a lot. (im in australia too)

Im hoping you could help me on info for water changes, i dont know if you have got ure own tank but i was wondering what you reccommend?

Also my tank will be heated obviously, when i make water changes do i need to heat the water to a similar temp, i dont want to shock the fish with cold water.

Yes, i do have my own tank and for Water changes.... First of all, check the pH of your tap water. This will help a lot and will tell you whether it is high or low.

Most users on this forum apply anywhere from 10 - 20% water changes a week (make sure you turn off ALL applicances within the water! you don't want your heater to melt/explode because it got tooo hot, and turn your filter off, no matter what). It depends really, what ever you feel comfortable with (water changes that is), do. I usually do mine once every two weeks, or if i can't be bothered (mind you, i am doing my school certificate this year, so lots of school work this year) , i do it at least once a month... But within that month, i still check pH levels, nitrAte, nitrIte, Ammonia and all that.

When you fill the tank back up, make sure you put dechlorinator in. It is really important you do so, as it will remove harmful chemicals that may/will kill the fish. Whether you put it in while filling it up, or after you fill it up, it is up to you. But that doesn't really matter (there was a debate on this forum not so long ago, will try and find link)... Make sure the temperature is almost identical to what the temp is in the tank, then put the water in. When summer comes, i usually don't worry about matching the temperature up, mainly because the water is heated in the pipes for me already

Hope that helps!

 

[fishfreak22]

thanks alot for that help!! it'll take me a while to get the hang of everything but the guys at the forum have made it alot easier!! cheers

 

[2day]

no probs

 

[dthoffsett]

Another really good HOB filter is the Aquaclear line, they have space for extra biological media, and will run forever with out quitting.

 

[Musho3210]

rena xp series are top notch.

 

[merry78]

if you decide to go with sand, when you use your gravel vac, instead of digging the vac into the sand (and thus sucking all of your sand out of the tank), try just swirling it in little circles a bit above the sand. I find that when i do this i get all of the poo and other yuckiness, but leave my sand where it belongs, instead of sucking it all into my bucket.