Questions About New Convict Tank...

[peefles]

I have a 29g that I would like to setup for a pair of convicts. My main question is about filtration. I've read that one should choose a sponge filter instead of a power filter due to the intake sucking in the fry. My question is... if I were to use a prefilter on a power filter/bio-wheel, would that be ok? And is a bio-wheel good enough for a 29g or should there be an additional filter?

Even a more broad question... what is the general consensus of the best filtration setup for a 29g?

My only other aquarium i have is a 185g... filtering smaller tanks is sort of new to me. I don't think I have a canister filter that would work with a 29g. I've done guppies like most people... but I just used a whisper filter on that.

Another question... substrate. I've seen in the LFS that various substrate is used. What is the general opinion on which is the best substrate?

I don't have the fish yet, I want to get the tank all setup and rolling for a bit before I add a pair.

 

[fishnovice]

I have a 29g that I would like to setup for a pair of convicts. My main question is about filtration. I've read that one should choose a sponge filter instead of a power filter due to the intake sucking in the fry. My question is... if I were to use a prefilter on a power filter/bio-wheel, would that be ok? And is a bio-wheel good enough for a 29g or should there be an additional filter?

Even a more broad question... what is the general consensus of the best filtration setup for a 29g?

My only other aquarium i have is a 185g... filtering smaller tanks is sort of new to me. I don't think I have a canister filter that would work with a 29g. I've done guppies like most people... but I just used a whisper filter on that.

Another question... substrate. I've seen in the LFS that various substrate is used. What is the general opinion on which is the best substrate?

I don't have the fish yet, I want to get the tank all setup and rolling for a bit before I add a pair.

 

[fishnovice]

I'm no expert on filters but as regards substrate would recommend fine gravel (small enough to pick pieces up in their mouth). Convicts love to re-landscape the tank bottom and shifting gravel is part of their courtship/breeding ritual. Mine clear an area next to their breeding cave completely bare,right down to tank glass bottom!Also seen them pick up small pieces of gravel up in their mouth, especially when the gravel gets in the breeding cave

 

[peefles]

I'm no expert on filters but as regards substrate would recommend fine gravel (small enough to pick pieces up in their mouth). Convicts love to re-landscape the tank bottom and shifting gravel is part of their courtship/breeding ritual. Mine clear an area next to their breeding cave completely bare,right down to tank glass bottom!Also seen them pick up small pieces of gravel up in their mouth, especially when the gravel gets in the breeding cave

Due the the ph requirements, is one type of gravel better than just the regular stuff?

 

[fishnovice]

I'm no expert on filters but as regards substrate would recommend fine gravel (small enough to pick pieces up in their mouth). Convicts love to re-landscape the tank bottom and shifting gravel is part of their courtship/breeding ritual. Mine clear an area next to their breeding cave completely bare,right down to tank glass bottom!Also seen them pick up small pieces of gravel up in their mouth, especially when the gravel gets in the breeding cave

Due the the ph requirements, is one type of gravel better than just the regular stuff?

regular gravel should be OK if fine but do the "vinegar test" first. If stones fizz when you add a few drops of vinegar, don't use them