filter, substrate, and heating questions for a 75g

[thornious]

Hi I just received for my birthday a second tank and it a 75 gallon . So I could you a little help

Substrate question:
I am considering using sand as the substrate. I was wondering if I could use regular play sand and if so, do I need to add special additives either on initial setup or regularly thereafter. Also do they sell any different colors of sand? Can I mix sand and rocks for a different look?




Filter question:
I purchased an Emperor 400, and was wondering if that would be enough filtration for my tank. Do I need another filter? I am also thinking of adding a power head filter to move the water around, but I really do not want a UGF.

Currently in my 20 gallon I use a Penguin 150, a Whisper 20 and an airstone for filtration and aeration. Do I need to over filter here as well?


Heating question.
I purchased a fully submersible 300-watt HYDOR. Is this a sufficient heater and will it heat the entire tank equally or would it be better off to use two 150 watts on one each end of the tank?


The setup for the new 75 freshwater will be probably close if not slightly overstocked. It will mainly include rocks, fake plants, driftwood, mostly school fish, snails, loaches and a few oddballs. I have time to figure all that out later, but I know it helps up front to figure out the best filter.

Thanks for all the help in advance

 

[ddayton21]

sand looks great but has a few problems: 1) it will be stirred up by any fish moving near the bottom, such as cats and loaches 2) it takes along time for that to settle 3) the sand can be sucked into the filter and clog it. a better alternative would be fine, white gravel.

as far as the heater goes it depends on where you put it, if it's in a corner then that corner will be heater more than the rest. in the middle on the back would probably provide the most evenly distributed heating.

if the emperor is rated for a 75 gallon or higher tank then you should be fine. everything i read says more filtration doesnt mean you can overstock your tank. you can have all the filtration in the world but if the fish are crowed then theres gonna be problems.