While I've kept an aquarium for years, it's always been a 20g, with the brief exception when I had a 40g. I've had the same 20g tank setup for the past 10 years. I did replace the filter within the last 2 years, because the old one just gave out after years of faithful service. I have also replaced the heater, for the same reason.
That said, I'm moving soon and will be able to set up a larger tank. However, where I'm moving has very hard water, and the house I'm moving into has a water softener. While I don't really want it, I have been told it's a necessity to avoid costly damage from the hard water. I'm concerned, because as I understand it, water softeners add salt to the water, and this doesn't seem good for fish. Are my instincts right about this? And is this already covered somewhere else?
When I set up my first 20g, under gravel filters were the norm (or at least the easiest), but now they seem to be phased out. After replacing several air pumps, I did install a Whisper filter that hangs off the back of the tank as a back up. I eventually replaced it with a Petco brand equivalent, but I find I like it much better than the under gravel. Now I'm seeing submersible filters, bio wheel filters, canister filters, and the tank mounted variety I'm now familiar with. I'm curious if one is better than the rest, and where this might have already been discussed. I'm also seeing a lot of people using a combination of filters, so am naturally curious as to why.
Also, I've read a lot about cycling a new aquarium, and how it's beneficial to either add water from an established tank or use filtration or medium from an established tank to start the biological cycle in the new tank. My old 20g has an algae problem, and one of the decorations is heavily covered with "moss". I know the tank is well established, so is it recommended to use all the components to set it up again, or should I start fresh with new stuff? (It's still running, but without fish.) Again, if this has already been covered, can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
That said, I'm moving soon and will be able to set up a larger tank. However, where I'm moving has very hard water, and the house I'm moving into has a water softener. While I don't really want it, I have been told it's a necessity to avoid costly damage from the hard water. I'm concerned, because as I understand it, water softeners add salt to the water, and this doesn't seem good for fish. Are my instincts right about this? And is this already covered somewhere else?
When I set up my first 20g, under gravel filters were the norm (or at least the easiest), but now they seem to be phased out. After replacing several air pumps, I did install a Whisper filter that hangs off the back of the tank as a back up. I eventually replaced it with a Petco brand equivalent, but I find I like it much better than the under gravel. Now I'm seeing submersible filters, bio wheel filters, canister filters, and the tank mounted variety I'm now familiar with. I'm curious if one is better than the rest, and where this might have already been discussed. I'm also seeing a lot of people using a combination of filters, so am naturally curious as to why.
Also, I've read a lot about cycling a new aquarium, and how it's beneficial to either add water from an established tank or use filtration or medium from an established tank to start the biological cycle in the new tank. My old 20g has an algae problem, and one of the decorations is heavily covered with "moss". I know the tank is well established, so is it recommended to use all the components to set it up again, or should I start fresh with new stuff? (It's still running, but without fish.) Again, if this has already been covered, can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks!