New to aquaria need some beginning advice

R

rbielefeld

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Nov 4, 2008
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Hello, my name is Ron and I just got a square 30 gallon tank and stand from a friend that no longer needed it. The tank is about 20 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 20 inches tall. I am interested in setting it up as a planted tank. In the end I would love to have a variety of plants and one school of small fish inhabiting the tank.

Can someone advise me as to, or point me to a thread that explaines:

1) what equipment I need for the tank,
2) what plants would work well,
3) what species of fish would work well,
4) what type of substrate would work well,
5) what order to set things up, and
6) how to set the various parts up correctly.

Specifically, what is the best procedure for planting the plants and getting them established? What is the best filtering system and how should it be set up. Where is the best place to get plants? LFS or On line?

I assume it is best to get the plants well established before introducing any fish.

Thanks so much for helping a newbie out. Ron:grinno:
 
i would try reading through the "planted aquariums" section for the plant question. or use the search feature on the left.
Welcome to AC!
 
also, make sure to cycle your tank before everything (except plants). You have a really broad spectrum of fish as far as that goes too. welcome to ac! Here's an article on cycling: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81388
And check the article section for plant info, too!
 
rbielefeld said:
Hello, my name is Ron and I just got a square 30 gallon tank and stand from a friend that no longer needed it. The tank is about 20 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 20 inches tall. I am interested in setting it up as a planted tank. In the end I would love to have a variety of plants and one school of small fish inhabiting the tank.

Can someone advise me as to, or point me to a thread that explaines:

1) what equipment I need for the tank,
For a filter of a tank that size, I would suggest an Eheim classic series canister filter. Maybe a 2216.

2) what plants would work well,
For a low light aquarium, you can get Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, Crypts, Hornwort and Anacharis.

3) what species of fish would work well,
You said you want 1 type of schooling fish in your tank, and with a 30 gallon tank I could see a school of 30 Cardinal Tetras working really well.

4) what type of substrate would work well,
For a planted tank Eco Complete or Fluorite is the best choice for substrate. If you can't find these, you can also use washed playsand.

5) what order to set things up, and
You will first need to cycle your tank before anything else. Here is a good link: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

6) how to set the various parts up correctly.

Specifically, what is the best procedure for planting the plants and getting them established? What is the best filtering system and how should it be set up. Where is the best place to get plants? LFS or On line? Depending on your LFS's choice of plants, you can order from them or even better from the Classified section of this forum.

I assume it is best to get the plants well established before introducing any fish.

Thanks so much for helping a newbie out. Ron:grinno:
Click to expand...

Answers in bold.
 
Hello Ron! I wrote an article on what you need to get started with your first fish tank:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155028
There is more than a filter involved.

Everyone else has linked the cycling article already.

For small fish,check my sig :). Some of the fish are harder to keep and rarer to find than others.
 
There are plenty of small schooling fish species that would do well in your tank. www.fishprofiles.com is another source of basic information.
I like DAVID's suggestion of 30 Cardinals. That would look great.
 
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