Newbie with 1st Q. re: filter

[guppyluv]

For years I've admired and been facinated with the huge aquarium in my dentist's waiting room but never tried keeping fish other than a few gold fish in a bowl when I was a kid. In the past couple years I've entertained the idea of an aquarium and last summer I bought a 10 gal. glass tank for $3.00 at a yard sale...no other equipment, just the tank. It sat in our garage until this past Nov. when I cleaned and filled it half full and put in one male betta. The betta has been alive and seems healthy and active since I bought him.
At the time I did this I had no knowledge of water conditioning, cycling or anything else...I thought I could just fill it and dump in the betta. The only things I have done is feed him and add some water occassionally straight from the faucet. Now, after reading many postings here I think he is lucky to have survived my ignorance.
Shortly afterward, I expressed to my hubby, an interest in buying the necessary equipment (pump, filter, heater, etc.) and adding some easy maintenance tropicals...
Well, he went way overboard and bought me a 55 gal. tank kit from Wal-Mart. It has the following:
2- 24" full hoods with fluorescents
Whisper 60 power filter
2 Whisper 60 Bio-Bag
Filter cartridge
200 Watt submersible heater
thermometer
Some food, water conditioner

I have been reading these forums and have a ton of questions but will wait until I begin setting up the big one (which is still unopened)

For now, I am wondering which filter would be best for the 10 gal tank?
I have been thinking about an undergravel filter or a power filter.

I am a patient person by nature so am doing a bit of research before setting up the 55 gal. I want to do things right the first time in order to minimize frustration and possible fish motality.
My ultimate goal with the 55 gal. is moderate live plantings, colorful, easy maint., peaceful fish (definately some angels) and lots of bubbles. Not a lot of decorations but maybe a couple of natural looking objects.

I am anxiously awaiting your advise.

 

[Rbishop]

Any of the small power filters will meet the needs for your 10 gal. tank. AquaClear 20, Penguin 100, Cascade 80, Whisper 20. I'd take a pass on the undergravel filter (UGF).

You will also need a heater, 50 watts.

A water conditioner, like Prime, for handling chlorine and chloramine.

A small diameter gravel vac and siphon tube for cleaning water changes (water changes at least weekly).

Thermometer.

A good liquid test kit that can test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH...like Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (AP), or Seachem. Stay away from the test strips that you dip, very inaccurate.

That should pretty much get you started! And of course read all posts here that you can and ask away! :dive:

:read:

 

[guppyluv]

Thanks so much!

A big THANK YOU for your speedy reply and advise...and especially the
acronyms. I am still learning by 'multi-guess'.
Again, thank you!

 

[Daudzegier]

about that 55 gallon... go ahead and get some water in it, plug it up and get it running. Dont have to have the light on, but go ahead and decide on a good spot for it. Cycling a 55 gallon with a fishless cycle can take up to two months. I know you said you are not impatient, but the sooner you get just about 100lbs of gravel and a load of water in it the better. You can drop the water level and add some plants and deco after it cycles, but go ahead and get it started. Besides, once you get the cycle done, it will just sit there and be ready for you to add stuff patently. It wont talk to you, beckoning you to do it.