Filter location and related questions - 29 G

M

MichiganMan

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Sep 21, 2008
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Well, the on-again, off-again efforts to set up a tank are slowly moving forward. I bought a 29g with a, IMO, ugly metal stand a while back. No hood, filter, etc.

Got a used AC50 off Craigslist. Now plan on building a hood for it, with CFL for lighting.

My question is this - the tank is currently located at end of my desk - kind of looks like this:

WWWWWW
DDDDDDTTW
DDDDDDTTW
DDDDDDTTW
..............w
.....CC.....w
.....CC.....w

where D=Desk, W=Wall, C=Chair, and w=window

Basically, the tank is in the corner, between the end of the desk and the wall. Figured this would both (mostly) hide the stand and allow me to see the fish as I work on the computer.

My question is, can I put the filter all the way at one end of the tank, either on a short side or toward the end of one long side? I'm something of a neat freak and would prefer to have the tank and wiring be as uncluttered as possible, I'm just not sure if that will adequately filter the water in the whole tank. I have the same question about the heater (will be a stealth, probably a 150w).

Also, my intent is to set up the tank with substrate, a couple rocks, a few live plants, then get some substrate from a friend's established (roughly 15 fish) tank, along with a couple of small mollies (he had fry not too long ago) from the same location. If I'm thinking correctly, this should supply plenty of bacteria for 2-3 smaller mollies while not unduly stressing the fish. I believe the donor tank uses an UGF, if that makes any difference.

Finally, will the proximity of the window help with growing live plants? While the window is primarily northern exposure, it does get a fair amount of sunlight in the mornings.

Thoughts and comments welcome and appreciated.
 
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Yes to the filter question, yes to the fry question.. :)

As far as the sun from the window, there are pros and cons to it. It can cause algae even in a planted tank. Personally I wouldnt bank on it adding to much additional light and go ahead with a lighting system that will accompolish your goal..

Blue
 
From my reading, it would be best to take the "donor" gravel and hang it in mesh bag in my tank?
 
You can do that, personally if I was going to go this route, I would hang it near the filter outflow. With the light stocking you will have to start with, I dont really think it will matter where you place it. Just be sure when you add more fish to do it slowly..
 
One at a time. :) I was planning a little community tank with a bunch of different groups (as much as reasonable) but now I'm kind of thinking 1 angelfish, some mollies (the angel should help with the fry issue, I think), perhaps one other small school of ??? and a snail for algae assistance.
 
Youd probably want to go with a dwarf gourami to keep with mollies. Mollies can be a bit nippy and with the angels long fins you dont want that. Maybe a school of some sort of tetra?
 
thx - I couldn't find much on molly behaviour, so it's good to know they wouldn't be a good mix with an angel. I've got some time to think about stocking, though - have to build a hood first. That project may begin this weekend...
 
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