Not Far From Complete

[Jamie24]

I've only got a few things to buy before I start to cycle my tank & would like advise on both these pieces of equipment...

Firstly my tank is the Aquaone 620T holding 130 litres... I'm after a pump, it wont be running any undergravel filter & will only be used on a longish sized bubble bar at the back of the tank, I have read that due to this I don't need anything to powerful but it needs to be half decent as the tank is tall so can anybody recommend one ??

The second thing is a powerhead to provide some current, I honestly don't know much about these or exactly what there needed for but the Hydro Koralie something or other has been mentioned to me, can anybody shed some light ??

As soon as these items are bought next week I will start to cycle my tank.

Thanks

 

[Aqua Tom]

Is this a new tank or second hand?

Tom

 

[Jamie24]

Is this a new tank or second hand?

Tom

Brand new, had it about 2 month but I've had to buy the equipment as & when I've got the money.

 

[Wills]

Hi what kind of filter are you using? And what kind of fish? So long has your filter has a decent output I dont see why you need a powerhead on a tank that size as most good filters can chuck out a current for 3 or 4 foot its only when you get to 6 that you really need powerheads to keep the flow going IMO. The only reason for a powerhead in this size tank would be if you were keeping fish that needed fast flow or marine tanks or some high end planted tanks utilise it as well.

Also if the powerhead was for the airation again with your air pump and the filter I dont think you would need the powerhead. For the air pump just get one rated for your size tank - the trick is dont leave the tube too long but not so tight that it can pop out just so its straight with no waves or kinks - and dont forget the non return valve!

And you dont need the powerhead or airation to start the cycle thats just for the fish - though I suppose the bacteria would benefit from a more airated supply but you could just as easily start without them.

Wills

 

[Jamie24]

Hi what kind of filter are you using? And what kind of fish? So long has your filter has a decent output I dont see why you need a powerhead on a tank that size as most good filters can chuck out a current for 3 or 4 foot its only when you get to 6 that you really need powerheads to keep the flow going IMO. The only reason for a powerhead in this size tank would be if you were keeping fish that needed fast flow or marine tanks or some high end planted tanks utilise it as well.

Also if the powerhead was for the airation again with your air pump and the filter I dont think you would need the powerhead. For the air pump just get one rated for your size tank - the trick is dont leave the tube too long but not so tight that it can pop out just so its straight with no waves or kinks - and dont forget the non return valve!

And you dont need the powerhead or airation to start the cycle thats just for the fish - though I suppose the bacteria would benefit from a more airated supply but you could just as easily start without them.

Wills

The tank filter is built into the hood, it's the wet/dry tricle filter... I never thought about needing a powerhead but somebody on here told me that as the tank is tall (72cm) there would be no current in the bottom half of the tank & it would also aid in moving some debris from the sand for easier cleaning... I'm aware it's not needed to start the cycle but I'm one of those people that prefers to have everything to hand before starting something.

Planned fish are Panda cories, 1 or 2 rams & a type of schooling fish

 

[Wills]

Ah right yeah I can see what they mean about the lower section. Good idea Just trying to think what kind to go for as some powerheads would just chuck the sand away from them as well as keeping the current up.

Stocking plan sounds good Just make sure you go for Bolivian Rams over Blue Rams as Blues need high temperatures and low ph where as Bolivians are better suited to community life.

I understand why you want to get stuff together sounds like a good plan I was just saying if you wanted to start early you could but then again patience is a very very good thing for a fish keeper to have

Wills

 

[Jamie24]

Ah right yeah I can see what they mean about the lower section. Good idea Just trying to think what kind to go for as some powerheads would just chuck the sand away from them as well as keeping the current up.

Stocking plan sounds good Just make sure you go for Bolivian Rams over Blue Rams as Blues need high temperatures and low ph where as Bolivians are better suited to community life.

I understand why you want to get stuff together sounds like a good plan I was just saying if you wanted to start early you could but then again patience is a very very good thing for a fish keeper to have

Wills

So is this Hydor Koralie thing to powerful then ??

 

[Wills]

Yeah all powerheads are really even if it was a low rated one it would still blow substrate around maybe if you sat it around 10 inches up and had a nozzle that allowed you to direct the flow so its not just on the substrate - the Koralina ones are less easy to determine a specific direction of flow as they do not have a nozzle.

Wills

 

[Blubble37]

i reckon something like a Koralia Nano powerhead for that size... some of these powerheads have truly amazing outputs (5000l/h upwards) and the Nano is the smallest...