Got Eclipse 5 System, what next?

[debi999]

Hi All,
I got a Eclipse 5 system, 10 pounds of gravel, Aqua Safe water conditiner and ammonia test kit. I had a few questions on how to continue.

I don't run the heater in my house, so the temp is normally 62- 65 in winter. How do I maintain the temperature of the aquarium? The Eclipse 5 has a 15 W incandescent, is that enough for the heat, how long should I turn it on , should I leave it on during the night? Another question is when doing a water change, how do I make sure both the waters are at the same temperature.

I was planning to get a Java Fern, should I put it on after I cycle the tank, or will it stand the ammonia(Fishless cycling) ?

Just one more question, I have seen these little things that blow bubbles in other aquariums. I bon't know what it is called, is it an air pump, any ways I want to get one, so please give me the aquarium terminlogy for it.


On another note, I went to both lfs and chain stores and found chain store better than the lfs. The lady in the chain store was very helpful, but the lfs guy seemed more interested in making a fast sale. He told me I could put 15-16 small fish in a 6 gallon, whereas the lady told me 5. I found 15 - 16 unbeleivable, just thought I'd double check over here, what do you think guys?

Thanks in advance,
D

 

[LesbianChap]

You -could- put 25 neons in that little tank...but you'd be doing hourly 50% water changes to keep them healthy...

Now for the rest of your post. I think you'd be best off buying a small heater in that tank, probably around 15-25 watts. Here is a good example. Tropical fish wouldn't be healthy at the temperatures in your house, and most cold-water fish get too big to place in your tank. The light probably would heat your tank decently, but it wouldn't be as controllable.

As for the light, unless you're using it for a heater, it probably doesn't need to be on more then 9-10 hours a day. Leaving it on 24/7 will only cause stress in your fish, who require sleep...ambient room light will be fine unless you're trying to grow plants for the fish as well.

Go ahead and put the plant in there while you're fishless cycling. The plant will only "eat" the ammonia/nitrites/nitrates anyways.

Big Al's online has a list of air-stuff
here. Unless you're asking about those decorations that move when air pumps through them...I don't know what they're called by name. Airstones are the little things that blow a ton of little bubbles. Air pumps are what push the air into the tank, and air tubes/hoses are what connects the two. There are check valves that make sure that nothing goes the wrong way thought the tubes (water can flow back toward the pump during a power outage), and there are other types of valves and fittings to accomplish different goals.

Always take what the people in the stores tell you with a grain of salt. Same goes to us weirdos in the forums...you just get a broader range of opinions here. Stocking levels are much more complex then inch per gallon. Look in the article section to read a bit more about it...for a 6 gallon I'd make a "Betta bowl" myself, but it's all up to you, how much maintenance you want to do (there will always be maintenance with a tank, but some fish and stocking level will require a lot more then others).

 

[jadefoodog]

wow get a good tank heater for it. (unless your ONLY doing white clouds)

what kinda look are you going for with the tank.

natural or colorfull

read the whole cycle thread thing it talks about plants but 15 watts for a 5 gallon is pretty good

the buble thing is called a bubble wand or a bubble curtian and yeah you will need an airpump.

the fishstore guy is an idiot if your doing coldwater where you ONLY have white clouds you could get away with 2 installments of 3 or 4 whiteclouds (since your planting the tank) that means after your tanks cycled add 3 or 4 whiteclouds then the next week add the same amount.

if your getting a heater and doing warm water you got alot to choose from and that makes it dangerous. GET ONLY SMALL FISH

get a topside and a bottomfeeder
2 or 3 corys(or khuli loaches) and a few shrimp will take care of the cleanup crew. and id only get like 3 or 4 very small fish if your looking for a community tank.

if your doing a solitary pair tank you can get 2 fish that get up to 3 inches . serpae tetras dont seem to do a whole lot of swimming around they mostly play and figh5t with each other. if you plant it you can get like 3 or 4 shrimp that will keep algea at bay . my adult serpae dont even bother with shrimp but will nip any other fish in the tank.

dont get fast schooling fish like danios , even though they are small they need alot of room to move. uhh kinda got off track if i missed soemting let me know