New Tank Setup

[Caro]

Hi all,

So I'm going to purchase a new 29gallons fish tank tonight and I've read about how to cycle (I'm planning on doing the fishless cycle which I've read about in this forum). I will be starting off with a brand new filter and adding ammonia (if I can find it) as suggested.

My questions are:
should I purchase sand or gravel? if so, what kind of gravel?
should I purchase live plants or plastic or silk plants? what kind should I get, if live plants?
are there any specific test kits that are the best, in Canada, that I should be looking for?

hmm.. I know I had a bunch more questions, but I can't think of them right now.. I'm so excited!

Oh! I know.. I have a small (1.7 gallon) fish tank that is almost fully cycled right now, and not knowing what I was doing when I purchased it, I overloaded it with fishes. I have a fantail left and a pleco (I thought it was a common pleco but it isn't and I can't figure out which pleco it is). My fantail had been attacked by a Chinese Algea Eater I had (which unfortunately died a couple of days ago because of ammonia overload ) and the top part of it's tail fin is chewed off... will this grow back in time? should I be treating it with anything? I know it isn't fin rot because there aren't any spots or white film on it and he's doing great, swimming around the fish tank happilly (I ADORE my fishies, believe me)...

Thanks in advance for your advice B)

 

[WILDER]

Sorry did the fantail die or the chinese algae eater, well the new tank will be good for the fantail goldfish as you need a 20gal for the first goldfish then 10gal for every other one added, chinese algae eaters get nasty as they get older and need large tanks.
Gravel would be best, as for the plants goldfish eat reals one's so i would go for plastic, plus if you wan't live plants you will need extra lighting.

 

[CroNiC]

Hi all,

So I'm going to purchase a new 29gallons fish tank tonight and I've read about how to cycle (I'm planning on doing the fishless cycle which I've read about in this forum). I will be starting off with a brand new filter and adding ammonia (if I can find it) as suggested.

My questions are:
should I purchase sand or gravel? if so, what kind of gravel?
should I purchase live plants or plastic or silk plants? what kind should I get, if live plants?
are there any specific test kits that are the best, in Canada, that I should be looking for?

hmm.. I know I had a bunch more questions, but I can't think of them right now.. I'm so excited!

Oh! I know.. I have a small (1.7 gallon) fish tank that is almost fully cycled right now, and not knowing what I was doing when I purchased it, I overloaded it with fishes. I have a fantail left and a pleco (I thought it was a common pleco but it isn't and I can't figure out which pleco it is). My fantail had been attacked by a Chinese Algea Eater I had (which unfortunately died a couple of days ago because of ammonia overload ) and the top part of it's tail fin is chewed off... will this grow back in time? should I be treating it with anything? I know it isn't fin rot because there aren't any spots or white film on it and he's doing great, swimming around the fish tank happilly (I ADORE my fishies, believe me)...

Thanks in advance for your advice B)

Go for gravel. If you havent tried live plants before then you might as well try them now, but make sure you read the plant section in this forum so you undertsnad the maintance of them. It also depends on the fish you are getting. I'm not sure if they sell the kit in Canada but you can check on the internet. The kit is called Freshwater Master Test Kit, and it is by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, inc. If you want their number ask me.
Here is a link to the picture of how it looks like. You might even get some tips:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=121244

As far as the pleco i can really give much advise ... sorry


Anyways i hope it the suggestions help

 

[Caro]

thank you both for your answers


I chose to go with gravel (not coloured, too afraid the dye will affect the water) and plastic plants for now (too afraid to kill them since I'm so new at this )...

I ended up purchasing a 20 gallons (76 litres) tank because they had a special on it, and they had upped the prices on the 29 gallons by a lot. I figure it will do since while perusing the wonderful tanks, I set my eyes on some neons and I think they will be ecstatic in that size of a tank. I also purchased two nice pieces of *driftwood* (costly but well worth it, they look stunning in the tank). I plan on buying one more so that my fishies will have a place to hide when needed.

I couldn't find ammonia so far (and the LFS clerk looked at me very strangely when I asked him for ammonia ) but I've read the advice on this forum and I will go find some tomorrow to cycle my tank.

Now, my tank came with a hanging filter which I don't find produces enough bubbles. Should I purchase a pump now or can it wait until the tank is cycled and ready for adding fish? and if yes, what kind should I buy? my filter is a 30/60 Aqua-Tech (pure activated carbon it says on the filter cartridge)..

Strangely enough, the tank kit came with two heaters, each stating that they were good enough for up to 29 gallons, so I only set one up for now; do you think that it's sufficient?

Thanks again I really appreciate the advise..

edit to post a few pics: