Hi, tsmckee !
Your idea of buying an Eheim is a good one. Overall, the Eheim filter is one of the best that you can buy, one of the best on maintenance, and also the most efficient. Well worth the cost. If you go with the Eheim, you probably won't need additional filtration, unless you want to overfilter a bit.
You asked earlier where the bacteria for the cycle comes from. The bacteria "itself" is not introduced into the tank via plants or anything else. The ammonia in the water is what begins the reproduction of such bacteria. You MUST have a source of ammonia present, otherwise there will be no nitrogen cycle !
If you have read about fishless cycling, you will already know that you can use regular household ammonia to begin the nitrification process.
Any more questions, feel free to ask.
Your idea of buying an Eheim is a good one. Overall, the Eheim filter is one of the best that you can buy, one of the best on maintenance, and also the most efficient. Well worth the cost. If you go with the Eheim, you probably won't need additional filtration, unless you want to overfilter a bit.
You asked earlier where the bacteria for the cycle comes from. The bacteria "itself" is not introduced into the tank via plants or anything else. The ammonia in the water is what begins the reproduction of such bacteria. You MUST have a source of ammonia present, otherwise there will be no nitrogen cycle !
If you have read about fishless cycling, you will already know that you can use regular household ammonia to begin the nitrification process.
Any more questions, feel free to ask.