Upgraded from 10 to 20 gallon

I could definately add another 50 watt but that only saves me like $1, In fact going with something like a 150 watt would only cost me like $1 more on that site. I'm thinking to get a 150 watt. Wold this be a bad idea?

How many degrees above ambient depends on weather around here, it varies every day. Also my PC lights add lot of heat to the water, how much also depends on the weather and ambient temps.

In my Eclipse the small light seems to get the water up to 82 and it goes down to about 75 overnight. If I get a new heater I can toss this 50 watt heater into my 3 gallon right?

I think I'm pretty much screwed to keep a consistant temp in any case, probabloy just set the heaters for 80 deg would be my best bet. Since my GF broke my thermometer in the new 20 gallon I don't know how much my lights are heating the water yet. I scouped a handful of the Flourite out under the corner where the thermometer was in hopes to remove most of little pellets but more than likely I did not remove them all :(

I have a KH kit and my buffering capacity is low thats why I have been adding the crushed coral. it disolves so fast that the water is a bit cloudy, but I think as the plants fill in and after a few water changes it will likely go away.

I thought Canisters were the best for low surface agitation?
 
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I moved up from a ten to a twenty myself.

I had a 50w Rena heater that was so good, it kept my temp without a problem for the whole week until my 100w came. I was careful to place it right next to the filter outflow for maximum efficiency.

I have a Fluval 104 and my old Penguin 125 on my twenty long. I could probably just get away with running the Fluval. Good filter indeed.

Eheims in my opinion are kind of overrated. (I'm about to make some people very angry) but I feel as though they're either for very serious specialists (like discus breeders) or they appeal to those people who like being able to say that they own certain things. It's more of a pretentious appeal than any serious service. I'm running a Rena XP2 on my 55g and between the Fluval and the Rena, I can't tell which tank looks more amazing and which has the happier fish. If an Eheim filter can do any more than this, then in order for me to notice any difference the fish would have to display super powers. Eheims are probably better in quality and construction overall, but the difference is pretty slim in the long run.


DIY CO2 will be fine for 20 as much as it is for 10. Naturally the concentration will be less in the larger volume of water, but then you must consider that the plants will only use so much CO2 at any given time, so I don't assume any change must be made.
 
Ok so I'll probably get the 104, the light keep my tank just over the green area on my thermometer durring the day, yet I still see my heater turning on and off breifly. I don't know whether or not I really need a larger one, since I am in Cali, but for $20 I guess I will get a 100 watt or maybe a 150.

I just checked the PH and it is right above 6 now, but I tested for amonia and for some reason I have .5ppm in my tank! I don't know if it is from the meds or what I have never had an amonia problem before and I'm using the same filter cartridge sponges etc that I had in my 10 gallon not to mention all the live plants. I'm thinking about doing a 50% water change tonight and re-dosing the meds (PIMAFIX) in the morning. I think most of the fish that had the white stuff on their heads are looking better. Id id not think chaning the tank would cause so many problems since im using all the same stuff even some of the old tank water! :huh:

The average air temp in teh room is in the 70's and I'm heating the tank to well in the 70's but ona cold night it can drop into the 50's
 
update:

I have

5.0 ppm of nitrate.
0.5 ppm amonia.

PH is about 6.2

I just don't get it, im using the same filter that was in my 10 gallon plus I have many plants in the tank! So why do I have so much amonia?

Should I do a water change? 1/4th 1/2? I don't want to put anymore unecessary stress on the fish!

My tanks temp is about 81 Deg! This is probably just from the PC lights! is this too hot of rmy guppies and oto?

I'm not sure if I need a larger heater or not the lights heat up the tank more than I would like...Not sure how to fix that (about 38 watts).

So it sounds like the Fluval 104 is a good filter for this tank then? Will it work about the same as an Eheim?

Still have the problem with the heater, I believe that even if I set it to 81 deg, the lights will continue to heat the tank up beyond whatever temp I set the heater too! so if I set it to 80 who knows, lights might heat it up to 85! I don't know what to do.... This sucks..
 
Ok sorry to bump this but I need to order by tomarrow as my fish are suffering.

"Example:
Average Room Temp = 68 degrees F
Desired Water Temp = 77 degrees F
-----------------------------------------
Heating required = 9 degrees F

Tank Size = 20 gallon
Heater size needed = 50 watts "


Thats about right for me since im in cali, sometimes it is colder though, and my water temp is usualy a bit higher (just from lights alone without even using a heater) so is my 50 cool to keeo? My DESIRED water temp is 76, However it is hotter due to Lights for plants.

I hear it's best not to go overkill but it sounds like a better deal for a 150 than a 100 watter. Should I upgrade?
 
Ok screw it, I just wasted more money hope your all happy! I think I will be :)

lol

Ok so I ended up getting the Fluval 204, 100 watt Stealth heater, some more vitamins for plans and a thermometer than won't shatter like the last one.

$100 later (cost of eheim classic alone though)....

someone tell me I didn't screw up too BADDD


THANK YOU to everyone who helped.

I did a water change and fish seem happier (25%) it looks like infections are clearning up. I like the Magnum filter but did not feel wet/dry would be good for a tank with Co2. I believe the 204 is on sale because the 205's are out now. But hey I saved a ton of cash and don't know what the difference is anyways!
 
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Looks like you're all set.

I currently run three fluvals on three different tanks (2 x 204's and one 404). I think they're great for the price. The older models were more difficult to maintain and there's still some stigma against them for that.

The 100w heater should be fine. Myself, I stay at the lowest watts after cooking a tank about 20 years ago when a heater stuck on.

Aren't the online shops great for the hardware? I haven't bought live goods because locally I have some good resources, thus I can't justify the shipping charges.
 
Ok, thanks for the info I was afraid I might have over filtered too much.

I checked the tank this morning and the temp only dropped 1 deg (which I had set the heater 1 deg less than the water temp was)

It appears the THEO 50 watt would probably work just fine. But I guess I'll put the 100 watt stealth heater in for good measure.

Gosh, now I have enough stuff to set the 10 gallon back up :duh:

Your right about the online shopping! and these Fluvals are really cheap right now since the new series is out 105, 205 etc...The new ones look promising but I am already way over budget!
 
I've looked thru the online manuals of the 05 series and its pretty much a copy of the 04 manuals. That is it kinda looks like they pretty much just changed the color of the filter and renamed it. That being said a 204 would still be good for a 20g tank.
 
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