Requirements for tanks

mbiggs03

AC Members
Feb 16, 2007
181
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0
Kansas
What all dO I need to get started? I know a need a water heater, plants/rocks, fluorescent light, filter, and air pump. Is it necessary to get a filter plate that goes below the gravel that has the pump tubes or whatever that thing is? I don't want to get it too expensive. I am only getting a 30 gallon tank with natural rock colors with some rocks that range from 2 inches up to 5. About 15 of them. And perhaps a decent sized piece of drift wood with a plain black background. I am just not sure. I don't want to have fish that have varying degrees of requirements. I just want to be sure that they can all be in the same conditions and eat the same food.

Is Tetra a decent entry level brand?
 
Im pretty sure Tetra is made by Marineland. So it is comparable to one of the top aquaria brands.
 
That plate-under-the-gravel-and riser tube dealy is an Under Gravel Filter. (UGF)it is run with an air pump which is sold seperately.
I like this type of filter and it is inexpensive, But it is not so popular these days and you don't need it If you buy a Hang On Back,filter (HOB) the kind with a box for some filter media, and an intake tube that goes down into the water. This is the kind that would come with a kit, you see them all the time.
You do not Need an airpump if you are not running a UGF. If you like the look of bubbles, you can get an airpump, airline and an airstone, or some decoration for the bubles to come out of. But The aquarium doesnt need the bubbles.
I would say that you definitely need a gravel Vacuum. A net is handy,and a thermometer.
The only other expensive thing that I would say you Need is a Good test kit. The liquid type are much better than the strip type. If you absolutely cannot afford them, then the strips are better than nothing and you will want to have some of those. ammonia, nitrite nitrate and ph. Fish stores will test your water for you for free, and you can use that to double check your test strip readings if you have to.
Are you planning to put those rocks on the bottom instead of gravel? that would make it kind of hard to keep clean I think. You can use "wild" gravel if you wash the heck out of it. Rinse it till water runs clear. Instead of paying fishstore prices for gravel.
Oh, one more thing. Unless you use water from your own well, you will need something to dechlorinate the water. This is the ONLY additive you should need. Prime is Very popular around here. I used a less expensive brand that I can't remember. All it needs to do is remove chlorine and chloramines.
 
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