Equipment and general advice.

[Malak]

Hello everyone,
I am just about to acquire a second hand perfecto 55G aquarium with a hood and lights for a great price and finally set up my first big aquarium. I used to have 10Gs and 20Gs when I was in my teens but it's been a while so I've been out of the loop for quite some time in this hobby.

I would like to see your advice on wich equipment should I be targeting for this new project. What kind of filter? Heater? etc...

I would greatly appreciate your suggestions and ways to save money in this quite expensive hobby.

As for fishes suggestions, I am not worrying about that right now, just want to get the aquarium cycling before even thinking about the fishes...

 

[Weezer]

Welcome,,,,If you could find the rest of the equipment second hand that would help..Filtering options --- 1 canister and 1 large power filter or 2 large power filters, Heater --- 1 will suffice at least 200 watts, i would go with a 300 watt, we like cichlids and theres a wide range of options as you know... :idea:

 

[Malak]

I've never used a canister filter but I'm open.

What would you think about 2 penguin 200s? Would that be enough for two power filters?

Or if I decide to go with a canister filter and a power filter, a magnum 350 pro and a penguin 200?

If I do the round up, I will ne needing 2 filters, a 300 watts heater, gravel vac (python) thermometer, test kit and water conditioner. Am I forgetting something?

 

[mellowvision]

plants!

 

[Malak]

Aye, I do want live plants in the tank. Forgot to mention, any difference in the filter media I should be chosing?

 

[Weezer]

2 P-200's would work, i would go with 2 P-350's,,, or 1 canister and a P- 350, Penguins, emperor's, Aqua Clears are all good filters, There are also several excellent canisters out there for 75 - 100 dolors. If you don't have a liquid test kit get one of those, an API master kit seem to be very accurate...

Here are some different filters here.... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Filters

 

[Malak]

I see that you went with a mag 350/penguin 350 duo in your 80 gallons, I should maybe go with this.

Penguin 350/Mag 350
Visi-Therm Stealth Heater 250 Watts
Python Gravel Vac
Coral Life digital thermometer
API Master kit

I should be set

Any other suggestions?

 

[Weezer]

I happen to like the Mag 350's, you will probably get other opinions on filtration, the stuff i use is just my preference. other wise it looks like your set. H.O.B canister's would also be an option and tend to be a little cheaper... rock and plastic plants, little stuff like that, the heater you selected should do the trick.I will be adding another filter to the 80 shortly...

 

[Malak]

I'd prefer live plants, with these filter medias I can go with live plants, can I?

 

[Squawkbert]

You need good flow (plants help impede circulation) from your filter, so go "one up" - eg get a filter rated for a 75 or 100g tank, not one rated for "up to 55g". Also, you won't need as much biological filtration via bacteria if you manage to keep live plants as they will help soak up NO3, NO2 and NH3. Plants require decent lighting. The lights that come w/ tanks are generally junk.

If you're sticking this tank right in front of a big window w/ S exposure, you may get by w/ a copy of Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad instead of a nice light fixture.

If not, you probably want ~150W of 6700K fluorescent lighting (a hair less w/T5s and individual reflectors, a bit more w/ PCs and decent reflectors).

You will also eventually want to consider ferts and CO2.

Do a little reading here: http://www.rexgrigg.com/index.html It's concise and covers the basics nicely.