Nescessities to start up a 55 gallon

Malbri

Malbri

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Dec 11, 2006
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Alright, so I finally decided that instead of a 20 gallon next week, ill wait till march when I can get a 55 gallon. Alright so what do I absolutly need? Any brand reccomendations? This will not be a planted tnak right away, but eventually will, so I need lighting sutible for plants. Also I decided on sand, unless I have enough money left over for eco complete.

So what am I gonna absolutly need?
 
canister filter heater some kind of light and gravel.

sand is great eco complete is also good but never used it my self. i would make sure to get the substrate that you want so you dont have to worry about changing it later

heater i always so go with Visi-Therm never had problems with mine.

canister i just got a rena xp3. i really like it so far.

lighting you might just want to get power compact screw in bulb until you figure out what kind of plants you want and how much light they will need. told they now make 42w bulbs so it should look good under a 55.

fish might also help and a thermometer
 
You will need a good filtration system that pumps 300-600 gph. I prefer the Whisper 60/30-60. It is easy to maintain and us only $34 at WallyWorld. A light and hood. I prefer you to get 2 24" hoods with flouredcent fixture from WallyWorld. They are $20-30 each and last forever. If you want an air pump, I would get a Whisper 30-60 Air Pump from WallyWorld. They are about $20 and last forever. They pump air in really deep tanks, too. You will need a gravel vac if you decide to use gravel. Get the largest size available at WallyWorld for $6. If you decide to keep tropical fish, I would suggest for you to get 2 Whisper 30-60 Heaters. Put one on each side of the tank for even heating. You will need a stand as most furniture isn't made to support the weight of a full or partially filled aquarium of that size. You will need decorations for fish to hide and play, especially plants. If you are beginner, you will need plastic plants until you get started. They are easier to take care of and you need no special equipment for them. That pretty much sums it up. I suggest you to get an algae scraper and extra filter cartridges for maintenance. Oh, and you wil probable need water conditioner. I prefer Chlor Out as it is simple and it gets the job done.

Daniel

Whisper 30-60
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=577

Whisper Air Pumps
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=855

Whisper Heaters
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=63
It says it will heat up to 30 gallon tanks, but they have one with the smae packaging called the 30-60

Pefecto Full Hoods
http://www.perfectomfg.com/
The box at WallyWorld doesn't say Perfecto, but the manual inside does and it looks the same.

Gravel Vacs
http://leesaqpet.com/index.php?page...ufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
It looks like this and is made by the same people, but with different packaging.

Algae Scraper
I use Plastic Mainstays Putty Knifes from WallyWorld, but algae scrubbers are good, too.
http://leesaqpet.com/index.php?page...ufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
http://leesaqpet.com/index.php?page...ufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

These are my favorite plants. Tetra WaterWonders. They sway with the current and stay clean for long periods of time. They are easy to clean, when needed, too.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/category.aspx?id=81

Filter Cartridges for the Whisper. These are cheaper when bought in bulk, last a long time, and have removeable carbon in case your fish get sick. The good part about assembling them is that you don't have to put the carbon in if you don't want to use it, and you can fill it with any other media that you may want.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=57

These are already assembled for the busy aquarist.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=57

I think that pretty much sums it up. You should get a good book for reference, though it isn't necessary. I prefer Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies.

Daniel
 
Your tank might come with a few things such as filter, lights, heater (my 55g did and they have been working quite well) so I would get the tank first and worry about what's missing later.

Also, that was a very helpful response, Fishieperson321
 
TML29 said:
Your tank might come with a few things such as filter, lights, heater (my 55g did and they have been working quite well) so I would get the tank first and worry about what's missing later.

Also, that was a very helpful response, Fishieperson321
Click to expand...

most packages the things that come in there are not very good. at lest the ones i always see.
 
The tank im thinking of getting comes with a filter a lit top a few accessories and I believe a heater. I am just probably going to adjust the lighting so its good for plants, i may gut the whole thing out and redo it. As far as the filter goes, its a whisper but i would like a penguin. Also Ive had bad experences with cheap heater malfuntions, so id get a new heater. heck, I may end up just getting the tnak plain and buying everything seperate, but I cant find a plain tank, only kits!
 
Malbri said:
The tank im thinking of getting comes with a filter a lit top a few accessories and I believe a heater. I am just probably going to adjust the lighting so its good for plants, i may gut the whole thing out and redo it. As far as the filter goes, its a whisper but i would like a penguin. Also Ive had bad experences with cheap heater malfuntions, so id get a new heater. heck, I may end up just getting the tnak plain and buying everything seperate, but I cant find a plain tank, only kits!
Click to expand...

LFS tend to carry tanks just by themselves but they seem to be a bit more expensive than kits or at least just in my area.
 
Just to let you in on some prices. I just finished upgrading to a 55 this last Sunday (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95740 for a photo essay on the job)

Anyway...

At petSmart with pricematching when possible:

Tank $119.99
Penguin 350 filters $26.99 (got two)
Visitherm Stealth heaters $$17.99 (got two 100 watt units)

Tank came with plastic hoods and light strips-those are in my swap/Goodwill pile. Got instead a Perfecto glass top-$42 (I think)

4 Foot Shop light with two 40 watt plant tubes from Lowes-$25.

100 pounds of pea gravel from Lowes-$6.

The kits are good, but you will be swapping the filters/heaters/lights for better sooner or later, so may as well go for the gusto now!

Good Luck!
 
If you are going to plant it eventually, I'd go ahead and get a cannister filter. I love my Rena XP3s. I have one on each of my 55g tanks.

I like Coralife Aqualight fixtures and have one on my 55g and 29g planted tanks. I have the 2x65w on my 55g. It allows me to grow alot of plants, but not need CO2. :) I wouldn't get a hood for the tank. You'll have to eventually upgrade it later to plant it, so you might as well get the light fixture now. Adding some fast growing stem plants will help your cycle along.

Things you absolutely need:
-filter (i like Rena cannisters)
-heater (i like Visi-therm Stealths)
-light
-substrate
-thermometer would be nice
 
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