The first-timer progress thread - 29g tank

M

MichiganMan

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Sep 21, 2008
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Well, as I indicated in my original thread, I was planning to buy a 10g tank I had found on Craigslist. While surfing, however, I found a 29g tank for just a couple dollars more, and closer to home. So, I bought it.

I intend this thread to be a chronicle of my progress in planning, configuring, and stocking my first-ever aquarium.

More definitely to follow...

tank.jpg tank2.jpg
 
And now to The Plan(tm)...

This will be a community tank. I'm thinking there will be one or two medium pieces of driftwood, perhaps a small stack of rock(s), and a few live plants. While I don't want a tank overgrown with live plants, I like the aesthetics of live plants (or should I say I just can't stand the plastic ones) and the fact that they help to keep the water in balance.

Stock-wise, I've reviewed jm1212's stocking guide and will consult my LFS as well. As this is my first tank, I'm looking for fish that have a higher "oops" factor.
 
The shopping list (so far):

  1. A hood. The tank did not come with one, so I'll need to get one. I'm leaning toward a glass cover with a separate light, as it will facilitate varying lighting requirements more easily than a plastic hood/light combo
  2. A filter. The LFS (a fairly respected place called Kee's Pets in Shelby Township, MI) recommended Tetra Whisper 45 HOB filter.
  3. A heater of some sort
  4. Plant(s)
  5. ????

The floor is open for suggestions! :)
 
MichiganMan said:
The shopping list (so far):

  1. A hood. The tank did not come with one, so I'll need to get one. I'm leaning toward a glass cover with a separate light, as it will facilitate varying lighting requirements more easily than a plastic hood/light combo Have you thought about a diy hood, much moor rewarding at the end of the day.
  2. A filter. The LFS (a fairly respected place called Kee's Pets in Shelby Township, MI) recommended Tetra Whisper 45 HOB filter. Two filters are always better than one.
  3. A heater of some sort Make sure you get a good one like the stelth heater.
  4. Plant(s)
  5. ???? A fishless cycle is quiker and less work than a fishy cycle.
The floor is open for suggestions! :)
Click to expand...
Looking forward to seeing the finshed result.
 
1. I agree with your plan to buy the hood and light separately. You may want to think about buying a compact flourescent light fixture. If you don't want to do that I have grown anubias, java fern, and cryptocorynes using just a single tube strip over a 29. However, a single tube strip greatly limits your options for plants.

2. This is purely personal opinion, but I am not a big fan of the Whisper filters. I would use an Aquaclear 70 (300 gph) as my choice of power filter. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3608+3610&pcatid=3610 A canister filter would be another great option if it's in the budget. I used an XP1 on my 29. The manufacturers' tank size ratings on filters are generally really overrated IMO, so don't pay too much attention to them. ;)

3. I use Ebo Jager heaters because I can get them locally for cheap. They have been extremely reliable for me. As krytan mentioned, Stealth heaters are also great.

4. Your options for plants are totally dependent on your choice of lighting. If you'd like more detailed recommendations, I suggest posting in the planted aquarium forum. You'll get tons of help that way. :)

5. I agree with krytan about fishless cycling. This is definitely the easy way to go, since you will be looking at large frequent water changes during a fishy cycle. You'll need to buy a test kit so you can monitor your progress while you are cycling, and then for routine testing once you are done cycling. I use the API freshwater master test kit and highly recommend it, but whatever you choose make sure it is a liquid reagent kit. Test strips are really inaccurate so don't waste your money on them. ;) This article should be helpful: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81388

6. I'd caution you about listening to advice from most pet stores. A lot of people, myself included, get off to a rocky start in the hobby that way. AC can help with any questions you might have, and we're not in the business of selling you things. ;) Good luck!!!
 
Hmmm.... I'm not sure a canister filter of any sort fits in the budget. I'm trying to keep my overall costs down (hate to invest $$$ and then find out that this hobby really doesn't work in our family), and it looks like a HOB will be 1/3 to perhaps 1/2 the cost of the cheapest canister filters I've found. Perhaps if I could find one used....
 
No worries MichiganMan, the Aquaclear 70 will be great for your tank. It's extremely quiet too, if that is a concern (it is for me). :D If you don't want to buy the AC 70, the Whisper will work just fine, it just wouldn't be my first choice as far as noise. ;)
 
severum mama said:
No worries MichiganMan, the Aquaclear 70 will be great for your tank. It's extremely quiet too, if that is a concern (it is for me). :D If you don't want to buy the AC 70, the Whisper will work just fine, it just wouldn't be my first choice as far as noise. ;)
Click to expand...

The "ssshhh" effect is definitely a factor. The other thing that makes me lean toward a HOB is that the stand I got with the tank is an open wrought iron looking number - no real place to hide a canister filter, and I'm something of a neat freak that way. I'm leaning toward building a hood myself, been scanning some threads for ideas.... :)
 
If the shhh effect is a major factor then it's aquaclear for the win.:) If you build your own hood, then I'd suggest considering a retrofit kit for your lighting. Try www.ahsupply.com .
 
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