tzqng8

Hello all! I very recently (read within the last week) began researching the hobby and found your site by doing so. Awesome site and even more awesome posters! Getting my first, real, tank tonight and thought I'd check with everyone on some things before I go getting myself into trouble.

Getting a 30g tank tonight w/ stand (small pic attached). I thought it would be a good starter tank (after reading that one should go for something bigger rather than the logical smaller tank to begin the hobby). I haven't done the measurements for my water yet (as far as PH, gH, and kH go) but will this weekend most likely.

So, I was looking at stocking options that would be fairly hardy to introduce, almost regardless of my water chemistry and I had some ideas. I thought I would throw the newest one out there and see if anyone had any comments:

6 Bloodfin Tetra
6 Pristella Tetra
2 Swordtail Fish (female)

Would that be a good setup for a beginner in a 30g tank? The idea was to have two differing colors of small schooling fish but leave enough room for a couple larger fish. The male swordtails look cooler, but I am more concerned with the fish being compatible and happy. I'd add a male, but I think that would overstock the tank for sure, if it isn't already. If it is, I could maybe go down to 1 swordtail, and make that a male.

I've never aquascaped a tank (or anything else before) so any suggestions would be great!

Also, since I am a first timer, I've never personally purchased any of the equipment for the hobby, so, if anyone has any suggestions or good brands or particular items that would be good for this tank, that would be cool, too. I have some information documented, but anymore would be awesome!

I am thinking of trying a "high tech" cycle using either Bio-Spira (finding a good batch!) or SafeStart by TetraAqua. I read on wikipedia that both can work. I see that many posters here like the no fish normal cycle. I can do that as well, but thought I'd try the other way, document my results, and post them for everyone. If that's a bad idea, please let me know!

Anyway, kind of going crazy with research and stuff. Really looking forward to cycling this first tank and trying my hand at this. Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for the long post. I am kind of verbose.

Attached Images

30g fish tank.jpg (22.6 KB, 10 views)

Lucy

Hi Thomas Welcome to Fish Lore

You'll find the site filled with knowledgeable and helpful people. There sure is a lot of great information here, isn't there?
It looks like you'll have a nice set up when you're done.

Congrats on the fish less cycle or the use of bio spiro, both are recommended here. I have no experience with bio spira, but a lot here do. From what I've read, you add fish right away when using it. Here's a good thread to read about changes to the name:
New Bio Spira - Formula Change

A good rule of thumb, depending on the adult fish, is 1" per gallon. An example of how this rule wouldn't work is you wouldn't put a 15" fish in your 30g. So the rule is best used for smaller fish.
6 Blood fins is about 12" of fish and the same with the 6 Pristella.
The swordtail can get up to 5" so 2 would overstock your tank.


I use the visi therm stealth heater in both my tanks and have always been happy with them. I think for you're you would want 100 to 150w.
Sorry, I can't help with information on a filter.

Aquascaping is really a matter of personal preference and whatever the fish you choose do best with. Someone recently posted a link to a tool that's pretty cool and might help you with yours. If I can find it, I'll post the link.

I hope this has helped you a little.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions, there's always someone willing to help.

Edit: Here's the link to the tool, it's fun to play with. lol
http://www.gorillot.com/aquatools/ph...x.php?select=7

tzqng8

I have found the site to be tops when it comes to resources I have found on the internet. By far, the most helpful have been the forums! Further evidence that nothing can replace knowledgable advice, for sure.

I'd read that information on the Bio-Spira, and there is a LOT of confusion out there, for sure! So, now I know what I'm looking for. I'll be sure to get all of the specifics so that I can contribute to the community about my experience.

I had read about the "1 of (small) fish per gallon" general rule, so I guess my 12 Tetra and the Swordtail would be about 29. Sounds about right! At least that means I can get a male now.

I'd heard that for heaters, about 2.5 - 3 watts per gallon was about right, so we'll see what this heater is rated at once the tank comes tonight. I'll happily upgrade it if needed, so thanks for the ball park number!

Thanks for all of the comments and advice! I'll use all that I can get!

Lucy

Don't forget to post pics when you get it up and running.

tzqng8

Will do! I think I'll be a proud papa!

Oh, another question I just thought of.

I'd heard that if one uses Bio-Spira to cycle their tank, it will give false test readings for a while after. Does anyone know if this will still be the case with the new formula and does this apply to the non-strip tests as well?

My idea is to NOT immediately introduce the fish after I use the product anyhow, but I would like to be sure I don't (or do!) freak out about any crazy test results that may appear.

Lucy

The API master kit is highly recommended. The strips aren't accurate.
I don't have experience with bio spira, so hopefully someone else will chime in. I think the whole idea behind using it is adding fish right away.

angelfish220

If you use biospira, you also need to add ammonia right away, or the bacteria will starve. so you need your fish, or you can add straight ammonia, or (I've never tried this one but it was mentioned to me) a cut of meat.

tzqng8

Good point. Never thought of that. Bacteria are living organsims and need food to survive, too!

Or fish food that would begin to break down, creating amonia and feeding the bacteria I suppose. But, that would be dirty and might feed an algae problem (same idea as using the cut of meat, I suppose). Hmm. Guess I'll have to think about it. I want to use it, as there is a definate lack of accurate information on the topic as far as I have found, but I don't want to kill any fish in the process!

Keep the information coming! Leaving to go receive the tank, but I'll be back tomorrow!

Lucy

I've never heard of cut meat, I've heard of using raw shrimp.

ShaynaB

I've used Bio Spira before. (I love the stuff!)

What you do is get your fish, add the bio spira and the fish at the same time and then don't do any water tests for a week. The readings are nutty for about a week and then everything should be fine.

I'm not sure if you have a filter or not, but with most fish it's nice to have a filter that works for 10 times the gallon amount per hour. So with the 30 gallon, having a filter that works for 300 gph is nice. (Not necessary, but nice!) I happen to like the Penguin filters because they have a bio wheel...

When you get stuff to aqua scape, kinda just play around with it before you fill your tank the whole way up and you'll find something you like! I always go for a focal piece and then lots of plants around it, but it's a completely personal touch.

Welcome to fishlore!

KonaBoy

I would suggest an Aquaclear 50 or 70 for a filter. I think the Stealth is the ultimate heater, and a heater is one thing not to skimp on. Swordtail's are really cool, but remember, two females per each male.

Cory

angelfish220

It was susintaflower who told me that adding a hunk of salmon would work.

I find that pure ammonia is the most reliable, it totally skips the "decay" stage.

jdhef

I believe fish food releases phosphates as it decomposes, which is basically algae food.

John

Lucy

When you said meat, I pictured a steak or something.

I agree about the pure ammonia as apposed to fish food or raw fish.

ThisGuy

I have an Aquaclear 50 on my 29 gall and i find that it doesn't do a good enough job on it. Luckily i have a Eheim 2215 that i wanted to seed for my 50 gal that i am setting up soon so i hooked that up. After i set up my 50 gal i am going to go buy a Bio wheel for the 29 the IMO Aquaclear 50 just isn't that effective.

Cheers and good luck enjoying your new hobby

tzqng8

Thanks for all of the information everyone! I got the tank last night! Woot! The guy who had the tank before didn't know much about the hobby, so maybe it's good that I took his tank! Not that I know much, but learning!

So, I looked through all of the equipment and tried to do some searches on the internet, but had very little luck. If anyone can offer any assistance, that would be awesome!

The tank is real nice. No real scratches except on the bottom where the substrate will be. Cabinet is nice with just a few little dings and scratches. I'll get pics ASAP. The dimensions for the tank are 30L x 12W x 18D. Not bad.

It has what I BELIEVE is an Airpump with it. A little blue gadget with one long hose (about the diameter of a straw but flexible) coming out of it. It says TopFIn on the top, and Jan 2006 (January, 2006?) and 3.0 watts on the bottom. Airpump then, prolly?

It came with an HOB filter. It says it is a Tetra T2 Energizer. That doesn't mean much to me! Doesn't seem like they sell these anymore. Anyone have an idea if this will be an okay filter, or should I buy a new one? If so any additional suggestions with brand name or a link would be awesome (thanks Cory!).

The hood has a space for a light, but it isn't built in. That kind of scares me because it seems like the light housing could just fall down into the water, but I made sure it was pretty snug. It is a 20 watt regular flourescent bulb.

The heater is a submersible unit. A Neptune 100 watt. Is this any good? Should I replace it as well? Again, if so, any additional uggestions would be awesome.

So, off this weekend to begin buying stuff for the tank. No fish yet. Want to take my time with this and savor it.

Based on previous comments, I guess I will add the Bio-Spira (or Safestart, whichever) and put in maybe the Swordtail when I am ready. That will give the tank some Amonia and a slow start.

Betta_dude

Wow, that looks just like my tank

Ryno

Yep that sounds like an air pump.

I'm not familure with the Tetra T2 Energizer. Did it come with a manual so you can tell how many GPH it pumps out. If you find it won't be enough you can combine it with another filter or if you are going to replace it I would suggest the Magnum 350 by Marineland.

You will want to do something with that light if it is in danger of falling into the tank. This could be dangerous to you, your fish and your equiptment.

That heater should be fine but make sure it works. Get a thermometer (if you didn't get one with the stuff), I prefer the glass ones that stick on the inside of the tank, I think they are the most accurate. If you have to crank the heater almost all the way up to keep it at your desired temp I would get a new 150 watt stealth.