Just researching and Starting, HELLO!! I need advice...

Fun shopping, isn't it?
If you go with one penquin, I'd go with the 150 or 200. The larger 200 does allow for more filter medium options. I have no experience with the nano canister, but it looks pretty cool. I'd love to know how quiet they are...most of the larger canisters are darn quiet. The hang on back filters (like the penquin or aquaclear) are also quiet as long as you keep the water level high enough to reduce the waterfall like noise.
The canister may provide you with greater water output options (meaning how/where the water stream is directed into the tank) versus a hang on back filter, which essentially is going to push water across the top from back to front.
Given you're looking at a 20 long (not sure how tall they are), the stealth heater will likely need to go in horizontally (it's 10" long)...not a big deal, just a little less convenient to adjust and another cord running up the inside of the tank..but I still think it's your best choice.
 
I like the idea of a cannister for filtration in planted tanks.

the cannisters can be set up to reduce the off gassing of CO2

(eliminate the spray bar and submerge the output..reduce surface turbulence...)
hobs splash alot but can be modified to reduce the splash with a deflector.as far as bio wheel..no advantage in a planted tank as you should remove the bio wheel.

if you do that stick with AC (aqua clear) if you want a HOB.
 
I just started a planted tank in my 20 long a couple days ago, i have a couple amazon swords that were in another one of my tanks that were dyeing, they are starting to do alot better now, i also have some Java Moss and Fern, and some Watersprite, i will probably slowly start adding more.

As far as setup goes i just have sand substrate, haven't been using any ferts yet, and don't have my C02 set-up right now, and the lights are just 2 compact flourescent 13 watt screw in lights. I used to have 4 but i had bad algae problems so i took 2 out for now we will see how well it does.
 
yeah, shopping is wicked fun. Thanks Phil, since this time I've been researchign filters ( and lights, so many choices!) Think I may go with a cannister, if star rider is getting some good results with it.

Star Rider, would you go with two of these?:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16742&pcatid=16742

I like those a lot too, seem very cool and look neat. I do like how you can control the water output. That's cool.

Two of those seem like a good choice.

If Cannisters help with the off gassing, then I want to start with that :)

Looking into lamps now...any suggestions on where to start?
 
Just opened this post (well, took a few mins to read, lol) and I'll be watching it, excuse me if I don't have very much to say on the tech and parts for it, lol, I can get about 5% of it around here, so I don't know much. Flora and fauna are my specialty.

Btw, for plants; Java fern gets around 7" high minimum (mine's still growing, heh heh), so you'd probably have to plant it near the back. Plant the Moss on the driftwood (use fishing line to tie it on, remove when rooted), it looks nice.

Another plant suggestion I'd like to make are moss balls; My snails, cories, etc. love travelling over them, and they look nice too. You can try fragging them (frag=fragment, AKA cut in half and replant both halves) when they've been there for a while and seem healthy.
 
hmm..I have some lace jave fern that doesn't seem to grow that high..;)
swords , depending on the species, can overtake a tank;)romaric..i don;t have one of those cannisters but in general cannisters are good for CO2 enriched;) tanks.
 
Yes... Theres almost no such thing as too much filtration.
 
I must congratulate you on the research you are doing BEFORE you set anything up. If more people would do this there would be a lot more people in this amazing hobby. You are getting all the right advice in here from people who have actually done the things they are telling you or have done wrong and now know better now (probably a little of both..lol). Keep researching before you buy and it will make things so much easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom