New 75G for Beginner - What equipment to buy?

[abelalan]

Hello all! I am a newbie (had some small tanks as a kid - but consider me a newbie). I have purchased the following:

All-Glass 75E (48x18x20), All-Glass-Canopy-Black-Pine, and the matching All-Glass 48" stand.
That's all I've purchased for now.

I am planning on a community tank, with an emphasis on guppies. Live plants would be included.

I have read lots of books and am ready to get started on purchasing the equipment. What are the thoughts of the forum here on the best equipment to purchase? I want to facilitate ease of maintenance (low-maint is good!) and want to get higher end stuff where it makes sense.

So - let me open it up to the forum. What would you recommend? Why?

I've read good things about the Python water changing system. So I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on that.

How about:
Light Kit/Lights? I'm a little confused here. How does it work with the canopy I purchased?
Filter? Canister?
Heater? Was thinking an inline heater here maybe?
Substrate? How many pounds?
Plants? Don't want to continuously prune things - but want to provide hiding spots for baby guppies.
Other essential things I'm going to need - please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[krytan]

:welcome:

I've read good things about the Python water changing system. So I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on that.
Yes the python is worth it's weight in gold
How about:
Light Kit/Lights? I'm a little confused here. How does it work with the canopy I purchased?
Filter? Canister?
I have eheim and fluval canisters. The eheim is quiet and easy to clean the fluvals are noisy and awkward, i also read a lot of good things about the rena xp3.
Heater? Was thinking an inline heater here maybe?
Inline hearters are great.
Substrate? How many pounds?
Sand.
Other essential things I'm going to need.
A decent liquid test kit.

Sorry i couldn't answer all your questions but i'm sure someone else will be happy to share their opinions.

 

[jm1212]

Hello all! I am a newbie (had some small tanks as a kid - but consider me a newbie). I have purchased the following:

All-Glass 75E (48x18x20), All-Glass-Canopy-Black-Pine, and the matching All-Glass 48" stand.
That's all I've purchased for now.

I am planning on a community tank, with an emphasis on guppies. Live plants would be included.

I have read lots of books and am ready to get started on purchasing the equipment. What are the thoughts of the forum here on the best equipment to purchase? I want to facilitate ease of maintenance (low-maint is good!) and want to get higher end stuff where it makes sense.

So - let me open it up to the forum. What would you recommend? Why?

I've read good things about the Python water changing system. So I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on that.

How about:
Light Kit/Lights? I'm a little confused here. How does it work with the canopy I purchased?
Did your hood come with a flourecent light? it may fit in the canopy
Filter? Canister?
canisters can work, but you may want to consider two penguin 350's. if not, a Rena Xp3 or 4 should work fine.
Heater? Was thinking an inline heater here maybe?
Visitherm Stealth heaters have worked great for me.
Substrate? How many pounds?
Probably 75-100 punds of sand or gravel.
Plants? Don't want to continuously prune things - but want to provide hiding spots for baby guppies.
Some good ones are- red ludwiga, wisteria, hornwork, anacharis, anubias, and amazon swords.
Other essential things I'm going to need - please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

comments in blue.

good luck!

 

[irishspy]

:welcome:

Hello all! I am a newbie (had some small tanks as a kid - but consider me a newbie). I have purchased the following:

All-Glass 75E (48x18x20), All-Glass-Canopy-Black-Pine, and the matching All-Glass 48" stand.
That's all I've purchased for now.

I'm jealous. I wish I had room for a tank that size. :drool:

I am planning on a community tank, with an emphasis on guppies. Live plants would be included.

Guppies in a 75? That's a lot of guppies! :jaw-dropping:

Then again, even just two guppies eventually becomes a lot.

How about:
Light Kit/Lights? I'm a little confused here. How does it work with the canopy I purchased?

Did your tank comes with light fixtures? If you stick to low-light plants, you won't need much more than 1 watt per gallon.

Filter? Canister?

For a tank that size, I'd consider two filters: one canister and one "hang on the back." That way, if one fails, you still have another filter going until you can get a replacement. There are a lot of different models; each has its advocates. If I were you (and be grateful I'm not :lipssealedsmilie: ), I'd go with an XP3 canister filter and one of the larger Aquaclears, say a 110.

Heater? Was thinking an inline heater here maybe?

Again, I'd go for two. A rule of thumb is 5 watts for every gallon, so round it up to 400 watts -- ergo, two 200-watt heaters. Hydor Eth is a good in-line model that most often goes on the return line. Rena (the maker of the XP filters) has a "smartheater" that goes on the intake line

Plants? Don't want to continuously prune things - but want to provide hiding spots for baby guppies.

Java moss is a great hiding place for fry. Java Fern and anubias are attractive low-light plants that grow slowly. Follow this link for a catalog of low-light plants.

Other essential things I'm going to need - please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Definitely get a bottle of Prime (a water conditioner: removes chlorine and chloramine) and a comprehesive freshwater test kit to measure things like PH, ammonia, &c. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is highly regarded.

Good luck!

 

[abelalan]

Here is a link to what the canopy looks like:

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/010/13449_400wh.jpg

 

[sillypony]

Another great low-techplant list is here. I'm planning to get some water sprite and green hygro for their nitrate consuming abilities.

I would also keep a smaller, qt tank on hand. Leave extra filter media in your reg tank to use when you need to qt.

A few (seemingly obvious) needs:
a fish-safe 5 gallon bucket (even with the python, it'll be handy for acclimating new fish, for washing plants, pre-rinsing your sand and soaking new driftwood, etc) By fish-safe, I mean one that hasn't been used for cleaning products, chemicals, etc. Rinse it out and keep it just for fish use.
A few fish bags, like they have at the LFS are great, even if its just for in the case of returns, or if your fish breed and you want to take them in on trade, etc. When I buy fish, my LFS usually lets me have one or two for free.

 

[groovylime]

I have a Rena XP3 on my 75 gallon and I'm very happy with it.
For healthy low-light plants, plan on just over 1watt/gallon... the Coralife T5 light strips are great... leave lights on for about 10-12 hours a day, dose with Flourish Excel and liquid aquarium plant food at water changes... bury some low-phosphate fertilizer sticks in the substrate... don't overfeed

 

[OldMan47]

The light strip or light kit goes on the inside of your canopy.Most of them can be easily mounted to the underside of the canopy. The AHSUPPLY kits are easy to work with and good quality. I have found them helpful when I send them a question about what lights I might need and describe to them the types of plants and the tank size I have. Within a day or two you will get an answer that tells you which of their kits would be best and I even had them suggest one of their kits paired up with another one that they don't sell. For me that was the real proof that I could trust their advice.

 

[TheFanatic]

I can't say enough about the Rena Cannister filter line. I've used Fluvals and Magnums in the past. They suck compared to the Rena line.

I don't think you need two filters. Just get the Rena X3 and go with it. Load it with sponge and bio media. No charcoal if you are doing plants. It will filter out all the fert.

I would put down a layer of Laterite and cover that with Sand. Instant Steroids for your plants. If you don't go with Laterite I would go with Root tabs at first to help promote root growth for your new plants

I use all kinds of heaters. I like the Visitherm Stealth the best because I have black backgrounds on all my tanks and it blends in nicely.

As for plants, Amazon Swords, Java Fern, Crypts, and Annubias (no root tabs for these guys). Vals are good too.