Ready For A 20 Gallons Tank, Need Some Advise

[mnemonik23]

Well, I'm new but have a bit of experience with 5 gallon tank. I think I'm ready for a 20 gallon one and besides the filter pump died a few days ago (eclipse corner 5 tank...)

I read all posts here on cycling/maintenance and I think I'm good to go.

I'd appreciate your advise on:

1. Good 20 gallon tank (maybe a good kit with filter and lights?)
2. Filter
3. Air pump
4. Jet flow pump or something (forgot the actual name). I saw people recommend some for a water flow circulation.
5. Heater
6. Substrate
7. And of course what kind and how many fishes

I know, I ask for a lot of things but I hope to gather this information piece by piece.


Thanks!

 

[murphyk32]

well just take a look around, figure out the prices and stuff, see how much u want to spend.. and buy the stuff u have listed (idk what the jet flow pump thing is myself). what kind depends on the amount of money u want to put into it, with filters, most like to overpower it a bit.. so for example, ur looking at a 20 gallon, most would get a filter that does 30 or 40 gallon tanks. Some people like the Penguin bio-wheels, or the aqua clear filters (my favorite personally). heaters simple, just buy one in ur price range, im not an expert on brands for any of this stuff besides filters i know some about the different brands, sorry. Substrate and decorations are personal oppinion, some like sand, or things along them general lines.. and some are fine wiht colored gravel. Currently I have sand in both, but my old 20 gallon had neon green like gravel, looked neat. The downfall to buying a kit is that in some cases, the filter that comes with the tank isnt top quality,, and ive bought a kit where the heater was actually not made for the tank, too small of a heater. But again, personal preference as it can save money. Dont know what to tell you for air pump, dont use one. Fish, wow lots to say any ideas in mind?

 

[mnemonik23]

well just take a look around, figure out the prices and stuff, see how much u want to spend.. and buy the stuff u have listed (idk what the jet flow pump thing is myself). what kind depends on the amount of money u want to put into it, with filters, most like to overpower it a bit.. so for example, ur looking at a 20 gallon, most would get a filter that does 30 or 40 gallon tanks. Some people like the Penguin bio-wheels, or the aqua clear filters (my favorite personally). heaters simple, just buy one in ur price range, im not an expert on brands for any of this stuff besides filters i know some about the different brands, sorry. Substrate and decorations are personal oppinion, some like sand, or things along them general lines.. and some are fine wiht colored gravel. Currently I have sand in both, but my old 20 gallon had neon green like gravel, looked neat. The downfall to buying a kit is that in some cases, the filter that comes with the tank isnt top quality,, and ive bought a kit where the heater was actually not made for the tank, too small of a heater. But again, personal preference as it can save money. Dont know what to tell you for air pump, dont use one. Fish, wow lots to say any ideas in mind?

murphyk32, thank you for a quick response!

Well, I worked hard and set aside a good amount of cash for aquarium needs. So, I think first of all I'm looking for a good quality 20 gallon tank and a good filter. In case of aqua clear filters if aquarium has a top cover with lights and stuff, how will aqua clear filters fit in there?

I think the Maxi-Jet PH pump and power head, this is what I read about water flow pump... "is ideal for powering undergravel filters or creating internal water movement from its fully rotational output"

About fish. My daughter likes cats very much. She calls them "smoke machines", so I guess 1-2 cats, maybe 1-2 algae eaters. I like neon and cardinal tetras. At the end I'm looking for fish that co-exists together... but the questions is how many for a 20 gallon tank. I read about controversial 1 inch per gallon rule, so I’m frankly not sure if I should follow it…

 

[murphyk32]

most covers for tanks either have a slot for filters, or have marked spots that can be cut out for them to fit it.. but make sure that it will fit in the slot. still not sure what poeple recommend on the power heads.. um.. im not an expert on cats im afraid

since i dont know a ton on the fish its hard to say about that one inch per gallon rule, which has a lot of exceptions.