New Set up 48 gallon HELP!

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Jun 4, 2004
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I recently purchased a 48 gallon bow front tank from a co-worker. I went to the local Petland to see what I needed to get started. This is what they told me... including prices. Is this the right stuff at the right price?
12 x 36 under gravel filter $16.99
Elite 800 Air Pump $10.99
201 Power Head $24.99
Penguin 330 filtration $72.99 (I already found this cheaper online for $48)
200 watt Whisper Heater $14.99
Stress Coat for the water and fish???
8 bags of gravel $2.99 a bag

Also any recommendations on fish and how many?
Thanks for your help!
 
The penguin 330 has dual biowheels. I use only a 170 (a single biowheel) on my 44 gallon tank and it does great. Skip the UGF, air pump, power head, and most of that gravel. You don't need more than 1/4" or so of gravel over the bottom. The undergravel filter will cause more trouble than it's worth I think. I doubt you need the stress coat either. Just get something to get chlorimine out of your water if your water company adds that.
 
If you are totally new to the aquarium hobby, a good book on keeping tropical fish is a great resource.
I agree with cgrabe about the UGF, powerhead, and air pump. Spend that money on some nice driftwood or rocks to decorate the aquarium. In a non-planted aquarium, gravel depth is a matter of aesthetics. I only have about an inch or so in my tanks.
There are a lot of other items to consider too--thermometer, nets, test kits, buckets, hoses, siphon tube for water changes, etc.
Good luck with your new set-up.

Bill in WI
 
yeah go for a submersable heater and get a 300w as theres very litte price difference and that tank holds alot of water
 
Obviously they are trying to take advantage of you being new to the hobby. I'd dump both the UGF, air pump and the Powerhead, you don't really need them. The Penguin 330 is an awesome filter, so I might stay with that, but if cgrabe says a 170 will work that may be the better option. I'd say you need a submersible heater for a tank of that size they help keep the tempature more consistant through-out the tank. I Don't think Stress coat is nessesary, but it's not a bad idea. And like RioXingu said there are many other expenses to think about. So make sure your money is in the right place
 
I tend to order much of my equipment from bigalsonline.com because their shipping is very rapid, and their prices are generally cheaper than drs foster smith
 
I agree with Vato. You might want to keep it pretty basic and not confuse yourself. The bio wheel 330 will do fine for you. A 300 watt heater will nnot be ideal for a bowfront, go with something lower. I advise stress coat or novaqua to reduce street in your fish and this work to dechlorinize your water. I also suggest bacteria for setup, maybe Cycle and 2 or 3 goldfish. This will speed up the process of setup.
 
a lot of times they will sell larger bags of gravel.. i got ONE of the biggest bag of gravel i could find. and it was too much for my 55 gallon.
 
Yeah I bought a huge bag of gravel from my local garden centre

Paid about £6 or $4 for a bag that covered my 35g three times over.

This hobby can be expensive so keep your wits about you and if you can save a bit of cash with a bit of clever think ot DIY then spend the money you save on fish or indeed better equipment/chemicals for water treatment etc.
 
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