Mizzkimberly

Hi everyone, I just purchased a 75 gallon tank. It came with one whisper filter(double filter) and one heater 100 watts. I am new to larger fish tank care but I just dont see how one double filter is gonna work. I cant see the water moving and Im thinking I should be able to see it. Also there is no way that 100 w heater is gonna work right?

agabr123

hi and welcome to fishlore

one 100 watt heater definitely won't be enough for you, i'd go for two marineland stealth heaters rated for 55 gallon tanks (200 watts each) so you can have one at each end of the tank to eliminate any dead spots
http://www.petmountain.com/product/a...le-heater.html

also, i'd consider a canister filter instead of the HOB or in-tank filter. i don't have one myself so i can't recommend a brand for you, but they're definitely much more efficient and provide significantly more filtration for large tanks. lots of members here have them and can give you more info

tomchitown

hi and welcome to fishlore ,
i use a marineland C360 canister filter for my 75g tank... works great ...not a single problem

Mizzkimberly

Thanks for the welcome. I looked at the canister filters online and that will have to be on my wish list. It said the price was from 114-200 dollars...sigh. I guess I will try another double whisper filter for the otherside. Im gonna pick up my heaters and filter tomorrow. Im so excited to get my fish, excited but patient. My tank looks pitiful right now, gravel and two plants....

agabr123

sounds good

dont forget though that your tank will need to cycle prior to adding fish, here are some links to the nitrogen cycle if you haven't read about it before
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/TheNitrogenCycle.htm

what are you planning on stocking?

aquarist48

As mentioned above 2 200w stealths would be great...by having 2 you avoid cold spots in the tank. If you don't add a canister filter....use the whisper along with an Aqua Clear HOB. I've been very impressed with my AC HOB. Get the largest one available. I have a 70 and I believe there is one larger as well.

Mizzkimberly

Im letting the tank cycle now...its hard to be patient but worth it in the end. I did find a nozzle on my whisper filter and turned it up last night so it is working much better than before. I will probably go ahead and add another double filter to the other side. I was looking at the aqua clear and I do like those.

Here is what I am thinking of adding based on research of what will get along well. I really wanted a puffer but after reading on this site I know thats not an option for a community tank.

Tiger barb
angelfish
silver dollar fish
jellybean fish

any other suggestions?

Mizzkimberly

oh and a pleco eventually, once the aquarium actually has something for him to eat. I love those really big plecos!

agabr123

hmm, i think that tiger barbs AND angels would be asking for trouble. tiger barbs are pretty nippy and the angels long flowing fins would be very tempting.

if you were to get a pleco, i'd go with one of the smaller varieties such as the bristlenose pleco, the common pleco gets gigantic (24 inches) and IMO really needs a much bigger tank than a 75.

a huge school of tiger barbs and two bristlenose plecos OR a red tail shark would be pretty neat, or a large school of silver dollars with the two BN plecos on the bottom would be good too.

Mizzkimberly

I found out about the angel fish today at the petstore. So basically what I plan to get then is
tigerbarbs
oscar (the one that has a leopard print look to it)
jellybean fish
silver dollars

I will check on the redtail shark, my son would love to have a shark! My fish store lets you trade in your plecos if they get to big....I really like this one that they have right now he is about six inches long.

Okay one question, when I buy these fish do I need to buy just a couple or a school of them? I wasnt sure as far as agression goes. I have read on some sites that buying more than two of a kind causes agression?

agabr123

i wouldn't get the oscar, they get HUGE and would probably end up eating your tiger barbs.

for the tiger barbs, you'll want at least six but more is better to keep the aggression down. silver dollars you'll want at least three, but again more is better for their school. i'm not sure on the jellybean fish, hopefully someone else can give you more info

the RTS would probably be fine on the bottom

Mizzkimberly

Okay went to the pet store today and got my new heaters, plants and rocks for the aquarium. After reading about the oscars I am going to have to pass on them too. I wonder if I am gonna get any of the fish I really wanted after all. I did see the redtail shark and my son went crazy over it. We are def gonna add it and the tiger barbs. My fish store is having a 50% off sale on all fish!