New To Tropical Fish

[acg200587]

Hi Everyone,
 
I've just bought a Fluval Edge Auarium (46l) as a first fish tank and after chatting with one of the shop assistants I have decided to keep tropical fish in it as opposed to cold water fish. I need a heater for this purpose and wondered if anyone could advise which heater would be best to buy and how I fit it in the tank?
 
I am very new to this so would appreciate any advice on types of fish which are suited to this tank and also what the maintenance of the tank will be. The assistant made it sound way too easy and just a case of changing 25% of water every 7-10 days. Surely there will be more work than this?
 
Also, would it be best to buy artificial or real plants for the tank?
 
If anyone could be bothered I'd appreciate knowing what else I should buy to get started? So far I have the tank....
 
Many thanks in advance

 

[sawickib]

For heaters id just get a small one i forgot the ratio for watts to liters but im sure someone else can answer that.
 
id suggest tropical as well, most cold water fish are quite large, make sure you read this on cycling you tank!!! http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
25% a week  is definitely suitable, unless your very overstocked which wont happen if you share the fish you want to get with us and we'll help you with stocking. You also want to remove fish waste as well every week, and every month clean the filter media in aquarium water.
 
Real plants are the best for fish, because they feed off fish waste, and ammonia, but they require more effort than artificial, live plants are not essential though.
 
I suggest you get sand for substrate i dont know of a fish that actually prefers gravel... 

 

[acg200587]

Thanks for the reply Fish Crazy and the link to the cycling the tank.
 
Is it just a case of siphoning 25% of the water out and replacing it with fresh water? With regards to removing the fish waste, do you have any ideas how best to do this with a fluval edge tank?
 
I think I may try real plants to start with and see how I get on and if they are not going well I may use artificial.
 
Stock wise I'm not 100% on what I would like in the tank, I have been told that in a 46l tank I can have a couple of schools of six of the small fish such as Neon Tetra and about 4 of a bigger type. Thereafter, once the tank is established I will add shrimps, snails etc. Any ideas on what to stock would be greatfully received as I really am brand new to this.
 
Thanks

 

[sawickib]

The siphon should be able to suck up any waste that accumulates on the top of the sand, if gravel you can shove it into the substrate and suck up waste that way. When adding water if you have city water then add dechlorinator, if you have well water then no need for it.
 
Some easy plants to do are anubis, java fern, java moss, marimo moss balls, and crypts that i can remember, def more. Anbuis,  and java fern should not be planted into the substrate. 
 
I wouldnt put a couple schools of even small tetras, maybe you can get away with 6 neon tetras but im not sure, a tank of that size cant stock much, maybe another person can help you with stocking your tank.

 

[attibones]

You won't be able to grow in any plants in this tank. Unless you have really great lights in the room, the light in the unit is too weak to support plant growth. The chi's filtration system is a pain in the butt too. It's a difficult filter to work with and it really does a poor job of filtering the water. I had one of these tanks and it was a nightmare to maintain. 
 
If you can return it and get a similar sized standard tank with a heater and filter, you'll end up getting an easier set up for less money.
 
EDIT: I just realized you said Edge, not Chi. I'm not really sure if any of the above still applies.
 
However, I wouldn't do tetras in this tank. Maybe some of the micro rasboras or pygmy corydoras, but you're going to want small fish which don't require schools.

 

[Ch4rlie]

A heater would be a good start, a nano heater would probably be best, 50w, rule of thumb generally being 1 watt per litre.
 
Weekly water changes of 25 to 30% is considered best practice.
 
That Fluval tank lights are very low tech lights, so would stick with low light plants like anubias, java ferns and java moss, that sort of thing, may be ok but slow growing.
 
Would not put neons into that small tank, think you mentioned on a another thread you have 5 guppies, thats the limit really, (re-home the minnow if WCMM)
 
Here are some suggestions for stocking for small tanks, 46litres is 12.2 us gals.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/
 
Do keep us updated with how you get on and a few pics would be great!

 

[Gruntle]

For changing your water, use a siphon like this one:
 

 
If you have gravel, jam the siphon into the gravel, then move to a new spot and do the same. You'll get a fair bit of waste, it's not necessary to clean the whole substrate every time. If I remember, it's not even necessary to remove the waste apart from the look of the tank, if there's too much waste you're probably overfeeding in any case. I tend to leave mine alone, the plants seem to love the nutrients and the water parameters stay fine.
 
I don't have sand, but if I'm right (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) you just need to swirl the siphon just above the sand (otherwise you'll suck your sand up the hose).
 
Aim for 1-2" of substrate in the tank, if you can give us dimensions (length by width) and the substrate you want, we can give you advice on how much you'll be needing.

 

[sawickib]

If you dont have a hose or whatever that plastic thing on the end it lol, you can just suck it up by hovering over the waste, if you do have it then swirl it.

I noticed that with the waste, i used to remove it but i realized that it would disappear in a couple of days.