I am starting from the ground up, a 55 gallon tank that will probably end up holding some kind of cichlids. I figured it would be fun, informative, and helpful to take you along my journey as I live it and show all the newbs (like me) how the whole process goes. Sooo, sit back and enjoy as I update this thread regularly and take you on my 55g adventure...
Day 1:
I went to Petsmart to get my 55g Starter kit by Top Fin only to figure out that the last one had just been sold. I had one of the employees call another Petsmart to see if they had the kit and what do ya know, they had one left... Just ONE! So I went over to the other Petsmart as fast as I could in fear that with my luck it would sell before I could claim it. When I got there I was relieved to find out it was still there... Anyway, long story short, I got the kit and here is what was in it...
1 - All-Glass 55 Gallon aquarium (black trim, clear seal, branded)
2 - All-Glass 24" flourescent hoods w/lamps (branded)
1 - Whisper PF-60 HOB filter which was branded everywhere with "Tetra" and "Whisper" except on the top cover which was gray instead of black and said "Top Fin" in silver and was packaged in a "Top Fin" retail box.. go figure.
1 - Marineland Visi-Therm 300w heater (white boxed, branded on heater)
1 - Tetra 6" net
1 - stick on LCD thermometer
1 - sample packet of Top Fin tropical flake food. "Improved Formula" .. Oooo.
1 - sample packet of Tetra tropical flake food in a resealable pouch
1 - 4oz bottle of Aquarium Pharm Stress Zyme
1 - 4oz bottle of Aquarium Pharm Stress Coat
1 - "Maintaining your new aquarium" VHS video
This is the tank with the hoods on it and the lights turned on:
This is the filter that came with the kit:
I'd say it was a pretty good deal for $171 including tax...
I also thought it would be useful to have a reference book to look at when the forums aren't right by my side so I got this book:
"The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums"
Well, I should be getting my stand on wednesday with everything else I'll need except my fish... I'll be sure to take pictures (with my phone so excuse the crappy quality) and guide everyone through my cycle, etc etc. Hope you look forward to reading it all because I look forward to writing it all!
Day 2:
Went back to Petsmart today and ended up leaving with more than I planned. (How typical
) I got my stand a little earlier than I thought I was going to as well as a few other things... It was a smooth and easy visit in and out besides the part where I had to choose what stand I wanted. Anyway, lets cut right to the chase... This is what I bought today:
1 - Top Fin Aquarium Cabinet (stand)
1 - Top Fin thermometer (the little heat sensitive strip wasn't cutting it lol)
1 - Whisper PF-60 HOB filter (yes I took everyone's advice and bought another one)
1 - Doc Wellfish's Fresh Water Aquarium Salt (33-oz carton)
1 - Top Fin syphon gravel cleaner (large)
1 - Top Fin aquarium gravel (blue)
2 - Top Fin aquarium gravel (black)
I can't put up the stand right away because of furniture issues but I will soon... It seems like all I buy is Top Fin crap but really thats mainly all Petsmart has, lol.
Here is a pic of my stand (the picture on the box):
So yeah, I bought a second filter Identical to the one that came in the kit. It suposedly pumps up to 300g per hour so with both on max I'll be pumping 300g per half hour... I still have a few things to get before I start my journey. Stuff like decoration, background, water test kit, tank scrubber, plants, oh and fish eventually of couse. For now thought I just have a bunch of crap boxed up laying all over my living room.
I will be sure to update you again either when I make my next big purchase or start my cycle and get my stand all built... For now though I just have to hang in there and try not to get too anxious! Hope your enjoying reading this! See you soon!
Day: 4
Okay so yesterday I washed my gravel, filled my tank, built my stand, and set it all up only to find that my newest filter was leaking. So I went back to Petsmart today, exchanged the filter for another, and picked up some more stuff.
Heres a pic of my setup without a background or anything:
So anyway, this is what I got when I went back to Petsmart today:
1 - Top Fin 60g air pump
1 - Top Fin 25' airway tube
1 - Top Fin Glass scrubber
1 - Top Fin roman ruins decoration
1 - TetraAqua water conditioner (large bottle)
1 - Airway regulator
1 - 4.5ft of aquarium background (roman ruins theme)
1 - Aquarium Pharmacuticals master water test kit
The test kit was $25.99 in the store but I took in a print out of their online price and got it for $13.99. SWEET! Anyway, I put the background on, put in the decoration, hooked the decoration up to the air pump, and tested my water. These are the results I got for my water test:
Nitrate - 0 to 5ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Ammonia - 0 to .25ppm
I havn't tested the pH yet but I will soon. Here is a picture of my setup as it stands now though:
(Sorry the pictures got smaller because sprints phone picture mail thing changed a bunch over night and this is their new default size)
Well, I'm getting closer to done everyday, I'll update you next time with everything. KEEP READING!
Day 1:
I went to Petsmart to get my 55g Starter kit by Top Fin only to figure out that the last one had just been sold. I had one of the employees call another Petsmart to see if they had the kit and what do ya know, they had one left... Just ONE! So I went over to the other Petsmart as fast as I could in fear that with my luck it would sell before I could claim it. When I got there I was relieved to find out it was still there... Anyway, long story short, I got the kit and here is what was in it...
1 - All-Glass 55 Gallon aquarium (black trim, clear seal, branded)
2 - All-Glass 24" flourescent hoods w/lamps (branded)
1 - Whisper PF-60 HOB filter which was branded everywhere with "Tetra" and "Whisper" except on the top cover which was gray instead of black and said "Top Fin" in silver and was packaged in a "Top Fin" retail box.. go figure.
1 - Marineland Visi-Therm 300w heater (white boxed, branded on heater)
1 - Tetra 6" net
1 - stick on LCD thermometer
1 - sample packet of Top Fin tropical flake food. "Improved Formula" .. Oooo.
1 - sample packet of Tetra tropical flake food in a resealable pouch
1 - 4oz bottle of Aquarium Pharm Stress Zyme
1 - 4oz bottle of Aquarium Pharm Stress Coat
1 - "Maintaining your new aquarium" VHS video
This is the filter that came with the kit:
I'd say it was a pretty good deal for $171 including tax...
I also thought it would be useful to have a reference book to look at when the forums aren't right by my side so I got this book:
"The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums"
Well, I should be getting my stand on wednesday with everything else I'll need except my fish... I'll be sure to take pictures (with my phone so excuse the crappy quality) and guide everyone through my cycle, etc etc. Hope you look forward to reading it all because I look forward to writing it all!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2:
Went back to Petsmart today and ended up leaving with more than I planned. (How typical
) I got my stand a little earlier than I thought I was going to as well as a few other things... It was a smooth and easy visit in and out besides the part where I had to choose what stand I wanted. Anyway, lets cut right to the chase... This is what I bought today:1 - Top Fin Aquarium Cabinet (stand)
1 - Top Fin thermometer (the little heat sensitive strip wasn't cutting it lol)
1 - Whisper PF-60 HOB filter (yes I took everyone's advice and bought another one)
1 - Doc Wellfish's Fresh Water Aquarium Salt (33-oz carton)
1 - Top Fin syphon gravel cleaner (large)
1 - Top Fin aquarium gravel (blue)
2 - Top Fin aquarium gravel (black)
I can't put up the stand right away because of furniture issues but I will soon... It seems like all I buy is Top Fin crap but really thats mainly all Petsmart has, lol.
Here is a pic of my stand (the picture on the box):
So yeah, I bought a second filter Identical to the one that came in the kit. It suposedly pumps up to 300g per hour so with both on max I'll be pumping 300g per half hour... I still have a few things to get before I start my journey. Stuff like decoration, background, water test kit, tank scrubber, plants, oh and fish eventually of couse. For now thought I just have a bunch of crap boxed up laying all over my living room.
I will be sure to update you again either when I make my next big purchase or start my cycle and get my stand all built... For now though I just have to hang in there and try not to get too anxious! Hope your enjoying reading this! See you soon!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day: 4
Okay so yesterday I washed my gravel, filled my tank, built my stand, and set it all up only to find that my newest filter was leaking. So I went back to Petsmart today, exchanged the filter for another, and picked up some more stuff.
Heres a pic of my setup without a background or anything:
So anyway, this is what I got when I went back to Petsmart today:
1 - Top Fin 60g air pump
1 - Top Fin 25' airway tube
1 - Top Fin Glass scrubber
1 - Top Fin roman ruins decoration
1 - TetraAqua water conditioner (large bottle)
1 - Airway regulator
1 - 4.5ft of aquarium background (roman ruins theme)
1 - Aquarium Pharmacuticals master water test kit
The test kit was $25.99 in the store but I took in a print out of their online price and got it for $13.99. SWEET! Anyway, I put the background on, put in the decoration, hooked the decoration up to the air pump, and tested my water. These are the results I got for my water test:
Nitrate - 0 to 5ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Ammonia - 0 to .25ppm
I havn't tested the pH yet but I will soon. Here is a picture of my setup as it stands now though:
(Sorry the pictures got smaller because sprints phone picture mail thing changed a bunch over night and this is their new default size)
Well, I'm getting closer to done everyday, I'll update you next time with everything. KEEP READING!
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