Ordering New Stuff--- Again

[ICEEGRL]

(1) I need a new hood. Mine got broke. (for 29 gal. tank) I am ordering from drsfostersmith.com
Do I want to get full hood or hood and light separate. Also I would like to add some plants. Which offers
the best lighting. Mine only has one strip light (20w). There are only a few to pick from, but the all-glass
full hood looks most like mine. (all black)
(2) Lights? There are so many!!!!! What do I get to go in the new ^ one? I want to have a few small plants
and make fish colors show up better.
(3) I am getting APIfreshwater master test kit. Do you have to high and low pH? It comes with both. I
thought it was just one thing. Now I am confused.
(4) I need a heater. I was thinking about the Theo heater(200 watt). Good or bad? I want to be able to

turn it sideways at the bottom. Will another one be better?
(5) I am thinking of getting micron filter pads to help polish the water. It comes in 50 & 100 micron? What
does that mean, and which do I want to catch the tiny stuff?
(6) reuseable media bags--- is there one that is 5x7? I have a Whisper 30/60 and would like to find one I
just rinse & refill. I was told it would be better and cheaper.
(7) Kent Garlic Extreme? Anyone use this? I was told to put a drop on the food every day and my fish
would be a lot healthier. Is this true or is she just trying to sell more?
(08) MEDS: I use pimafix and melafix alot. I keep them around. What about if I need something stronger?
What should I get to keep on hand just incase? I have had quite a few cases of bacterial infections and
fungus with these fish and I want to be ready if it happens again.
(9) Oxygen plus bio-filters: I have never had sponge filters before. I need info.
(A) Do you get the size suggested for your tank or go smaller/larger?
(B) What about putting one on each side of the tank? What size then?
© Do they have much suction/cleaning? What about water movement/air?
(D) Can you put plants around them, or do they need open space? How much room do you need to leave?
I want to get these not only for the 29gal, but all of them.(10gal)&(1gal)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am going to try to get my order in tonight or in the morning.
Thanks Again
Amanda

 

[chibi]

So many questions! I'll try to answer some that I know about.

Lights: If you want some plants and want your fish to look nice, get 6500 degrees K lamps. I have a Coralife brand 6500K. This is most like natural sunlight. Anything higher, particulary those higher than 10000K, will produce algae.

API Test Kit: The pH thing is rather odd, I agree. However, look up on the internet some of your fish in your tank and their desired pH. If most of them prefer it higher, use the high pH test. If most of them prefer it low, use the low pH test.

Filter: Always go for the higher size as far as your tank goes. It's much better to overfilter than underfilter. For example, if you have a 20 gallon, and there are two you are stuck between - let's say a 5-20 gallon one and a 20-50 gallon one... go with the bigger one. That does mean to get a 200 gallon filter for a 20 gallon though! I've never used the filter you named, but normally the suction isn't so strong that it would suck up plants around it. Make sure there aren't plants completely covering it or it won't be able to filter the water as quickly.

Hope these help!

 

[voo]

Here's a few more...

3) There's 2 pH test kits as one measures the lower pH, say 6-7, and the high measures 7-8 for example.

5) The micron size will be the size of the particles that it removes.

7) Never heard of it, but there was a topic on garlic being used with food. I've heard it being an appetite stimulant. Can't see it making the fish healthier though. A varied diet would be better i'd say

A) Go for the larger size filter. When filters give their flowrates it wont take into account when it's dirty.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Thank you for those. All information appreciated!
Anyone else?
I need more! I still have issues not yet addressed. Help me please
Amanda

 

[dwarfgourami]

(3) I am getting APIfreshwater master test kit. Do you have to high and low pH? It comes with both. I
thought it was just one thing. Now I am confused.


Start by using the lower test kit. If that gives the top reading (7.6, is it?, can't remember), it will be either because your reading is 7.6 or because it is off that particular scale, so then you try the higher test kit, and follow the reading you get from that. Imagine you had two thermometers, one that only showed 0-70 F and the other that only showed 70-100F. If you put the first in your tank and the water was actually 75F you would get a reading of 70, because that's how high the thermometer goes.

(7) Kent Garlic Extreme? Anyone use this? I was told to put a drop on the food every day and my fish
would be a lot healthier. Is this true or is she just trying to sell more?

Never used. Supposed to be an appetite enhancer- the last thing my fish want is their appetite enhanced

(08) MEDS: I use pimafix and melafix alot. I keep them around. What about if I need something stronger?
What should I get to keep on hand just incase? I have had quite a few cases of bacterial infections and
fungus with these fish and I want to be ready if it happens again.

You could get the Interpet stuff, but medicine does go off , so I wouldn't keep too much in stock.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Thank you.
Any info on hoods, lighting, and heaters?
I just don't know what to get.
I know my tank is a 29gal. but I don't know what kind. It is glass with black plastic around the top and bottom. How do I know which top to get? The glass where the light goes got broken, so I have to replace it.
I am also unsure if one light is enough, or if I need to find one that has 2.
The other thing... so far I have chosen 2 bad heaters. Could someone tell me which are the good ones?
So far I have made alot of bad shopping decisions. (decorating too) I have decided not to decide alone anymore when it comes to important things and expensive things.
Much advice needed and very appreciated.
Amanda

 

[wendywc]

#1 depends on what lighting you want. If you can get away with a simple light, then a full hood will work. #2 depends if you're using CO2 or not with your plants. I haven't used CO2, and just have a low-maintain, low-light lightly planted tank. If otherwise, I'm no expert. And for #4, I beleive a heater is a heater... as long as it's got a temp control knob.