Nescessities to start up a 55 gallon

AGree with Aardvark

Petsmart has tank only!!!!!! Of course LFS will have but will cost more obviously. if you have a Pet SuperMarket nearby they have tanks the cheapest I have seen. 55 gallon for 99 bucks. If you dont have to have now, buy online, prices are better!!!!!!!!

Brian:dance2:
 
well if I go with the kit, is that filter going to be fine? I know it probably is underfiltering but I will only have 3 swordtails in there until I can get it completely set up and planted. I got the same kind of kit but smaller and use the filter that comes with that, but I also do twice weekly water changes. Then if the hood is set up the same way, I can just replace the lights like im doing with my 10 gallon this weekend
 
I found Juwel made good basic starter tanks - comes with heater, reasonable filter, duel strip lights, hood. Over time you can tweak what you like - I've just added an Eheim 2028, and it's now like a gushing stream! Need to tweak it a tad slower now! This is partly due to getting larger, messier fish, but also for fault tolerances too.

Rena also make even better tanks, if you can afford it, but the lids weren't as child proof.

I got a Rio 240 plus cabinet for £300 online, they were retailing for £450 over here in the shops. Dare say it's cheaper in the states.

IMO, kits are good starting points as it tends to be more expensive buying everything individually.
 
Sorry, didn't realise you don't get these Juwel/Rena tanks in the states, but any kit will do. They do tend to skimp a bit on effective equipment eg, decent filter's.

Ideally, you'll want to turn over your tank volume 10 times per hour (mine's a tad excessive now at 11.5) but does make for better and more easily manageable water quality. I'd advise getting a canister too, quite pleased with mine. It does also depend on what you'll be stocking too - a tank full of cichlids will be a lot messier than a tank full of neons.

You'll need at least 1.5 watt per gallon of lighting to plant low light plants, upto 3wpg for high light demanding plants, but then you'll have to worry about CO2, ferts and stuff.

How's your shopping list so far?
 
Well, I think im gonna go with the kit, because that is the cheapest thing right now. That will incluce the cover, tank, and filter. I know it will be slightly underfiltered but its only a few fish for now. Then im planning two stelth heaters, one on each side(what wattage do I need?) Then pool sand and the plants I currently have. Anything else that is an absolute nessecity? I will add on but I just want to get it up and running asap
 
Well, according to the chart I have a stealth 200 watt heater is enough to hold a 55g aquarium at 18f above ambient temperature. For using 2 heaters I believe the stealth 100 watt heaters would be enough.
 
well if it effects things at all, my room does not stay a very stable temp, its ranges from 55* to 80* cause i have a spac eheater that I only run when im there
 
Ok just a quick question that will put this a bit off topic.
I really want to get those fish out of the ten gallon as soon as I can, and I cannot afford the 55 quite yet. Can I get a large rubbermaid, cut a space for a filter and put a heater in on a ceramic plate or tile?
 
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