ok im going to buy an 80g tank from petsmart and a stand. i heard the eheim canister filters are excellent filters so i was thinking about buying the eheim ecco 2236 which handles up to an 80g tank. anyway i really have no clue what i need to get started. i know i need heaters, decor and what not..... but whats the difference between coarse and fine filters pads? what do i need to get to treat the water before i add fish? is cycle good? i want a couple wolf fish and maybe a larger pleco (im hoping they will leave the pleco alone if hes bigger). possibly a larger oscar maybe? if anyone could help me out with maybe a list of things to buy and some how-to's. that would be great. thank you.
need help with all kinds of stuff, gonna buy an 80g tank
- Thread starter freeweights495
- Start date
1. I don't recommend cycle. It will not help cycle your tank. If you really want to cycle your tank faster use bio-spira.
2. You need a good dechlorinator like Prime.
3. I would recommend a fishless cycle for your tank.
4. Make sure your filter has some bio-media. This is the most important kind of media.
2. You need a good dechlorinator like Prime.
3. I would recommend a fishless cycle for your tank.
4. Make sure your filter has some bio-media. This is the most important kind of media.
i personaly wouldnt get a tank from petsmart for the only reason you can prob find a used one so much cheaper. if you prob save yourself a lot of money by buying filters heaters decor online. www.bigals.com
if you want the fish to live you should do a fishless cycle. just keep reading and you will learn.
if you want the fish to live you should do a fishless cycle. just keep reading and you will learn.
Step 1. Read/review, understand, and follow..
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64301
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26051
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50188
Step 2. Your first purchase should be a good liquid test kit that handles ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, GH, KH.
Step 3. Find out what your local water supplier uses to treat your water, chlorine or chloramine. You will need to treat your water initially and at each weekly water change. I recommend Prime. Stay away from Cycle.
Step 4. Purchase a good gravel vacuum for your tank cleaning. If possible this should include a Python, especially with an 80 gal tank. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADD CHEMICALS TO MAKE YOUR TANK MAINTENANCE FREE AND IGNORE WATER CHANGES.
Step 5. Research your fish that you are interested in, BEFORE purchasing them. Many sites have species profiles and many species have sites dedicated just to that fish. You will need to consider not only their size, but temperament, diet, spawning characteristics, compatibility (and how it changes), habitat and how much space they need or the need for schools for acceptable interaction.
Step 6. Over filtrate. Most filters only deliver half of what they state. On an 80, you probably should have a least the canister and a power head to minmize stagnant areas.
Step 7. Once you have a firm idea of what you want, post here with your stocking plan for useful advice.
Good Luck!
Oh... the coarse pads help filter out larger debri, the fine are to trap the smaller ones.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64301
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26051
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50188
Step 2. Your first purchase should be a good liquid test kit that handles ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, GH, KH.
Step 3. Find out what your local water supplier uses to treat your water, chlorine or chloramine. You will need to treat your water initially and at each weekly water change. I recommend Prime. Stay away from Cycle.
Step 4. Purchase a good gravel vacuum for your tank cleaning. If possible this should include a Python, especially with an 80 gal tank. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADD CHEMICALS TO MAKE YOUR TANK MAINTENANCE FREE AND IGNORE WATER CHANGES.
Step 5. Research your fish that you are interested in, BEFORE purchasing them. Many sites have species profiles and many species have sites dedicated just to that fish. You will need to consider not only their size, but temperament, diet, spawning characteristics, compatibility (and how it changes), habitat and how much space they need or the need for schools for acceptable interaction.
Step 6. Over filtrate. Most filters only deliver half of what they state. On an 80, you probably should have a least the canister and a power head to minmize stagnant areas.
Step 7. Once you have a firm idea of what you want, post here with your stocking plan for useful advice.
Good Luck!
Oh... the coarse pads help filter out larger debri, the fine are to trap the smaller ones.
Our Petsmart has some reasonable priced tanks too. In some things they beat Walmart's price. I keep my eyes peeled on the garage sale ads, I've had incredible luck getting used tanks for cheap.
