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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Bum
| What equipment do I need?
Hello everyone, I am so glad I found this site as I have just purchased a 75g tank from a friend and am itching to get it going. I am going freshwater to start out with.
The only equipment I received with it was a 4 foot light hood, no bulb and 2 plastic under gravel panels. He told me they are under gravel filters, but there is no "filters" attached to them, they are just plastic with slots in them. So I don't know if they are something I should use or not. He told me to hook up two power heads to them, add a filter that hangs on the back, and I would be good to go. After reading through this site, I know that there is more to it as far as equipment goes, than what he said.
I have no idea what kind of fish we are going to get, but I need to know what kind of equipment I need to get started. Money is an issue, so the cheaper the better. I do understand that some items you may not want to be cheap on. I have never owned a tank before, so be gentle, I really need it spelled out for me.
Thanks for the help and again, the site is great!!!  | 
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Moderator
| Hi kennya Welcome to Fish Lore.
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the site. We're glad you're here. 
Instead of trying to write everything in this post I'm going to give you a link to read. It should answer many of your questions but if you have more, please ask. http://www.fishlore.com/
Our members have a wide range of knowledge and are always happy to help.
Good luck. | |
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by kennya  I have no idea what kind of fish we are going to get, but I need to know what kind of equipment I need to get started. | I'm of the opinion that the tank inhabitants should influence which equipment is chosen, and therefore should be decided upon first. As a quick example, goldfish do best in cooler water, meaning that purchasing a heater for the tank would be unnecessary. If you can visit a local pet store or two and get a feel for what's available locally that you are interested in, it would be easier for us to suggest equipment tailored to the needs of the fish you want to keep.
Some things that will be of immense value, regardless of what fish you choose, are a good test kit, a good water conditioner, and some type of gravel vacuum/water change system.
The test kit will help you determine when your tank is cycled and therefore safe to add fish. If you don't understand or know about the nitrogen cycle, now is the time to read up and learn. You can save yourself and your future fish a lot of trouble by getting the water chemistry correct before adding any inhabitants to the tank. If there's anything in that article you don't understand, please ask... there are a lot of people on this site that can and will answer questions.
The water conditioner will help make new water safe for fish by removing chlorine/ chloramine, and if you choose one such as Prime, will also detoxify ammonia and nitrites for up to 24 hours.
The water changer/gravel vac can save a lot of time and physical effort on water changes, which are a required part of maintaining a healthy tank. I believe there are some DIY methods of making your own, if you look around on the forum. | 
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Bum
| mathas, thanks! I understand what you mean by the type of fish will determine the types of equipment I need. I guess right now what I am confused about is the powerhead. Do I really need them? Should I be using the under gravel "filter"? Do I need a separate filter? I have read the article on here about the cycle that happens and I am sure I have a ton more reading to do, but I am trying to keep from wasting money by buying equipment I don't need. I am just having a hard time finding info that really spells out what I need to get. Again, this is all so new to me that I am just lost on where to begin.
I know I probably wont do live plants, and we will be going with colorful fish. I know that is a broad range, but we just haven't decided yet.
Again, thanks for the info and I hope you can help me some more! | |
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Kennya;- I don't think you will need the underground filter but you will need the HOB one and you can also buy, a little box filter that you can put floss in and will keep your tank clean and they run around $3.99 but are hard to find.Hope this help's you butwhen, money is tight this little filter is great. I have a lot of goldies so they produce a lot of waste and i find the little box filter helps a lot. And you might find some at walmart lol. bella | |
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Sorry; Kennya- i don't think you need the power head either as your tank is not huge, but someone will come on and say for sure lol. But you will deff; need a filter lol and try to get 2-sizes bigger than your tank lol bella | |
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by kennya I guess right now what I am confused about is the powerhead. Do I really need them? Should I be using the under gravel "filter"? Do I need a separate filter? | Should you use the undergravel filter? I don't personally care for them, my preference is for external canister and hang-on-back type filters. But with the appropriate maintenance and substrate choice, they can work just fine, especially if you're not looking to do live plants.
If you decide to stick with the undergravel filter, you will need the powerhead. To understand why, here's a quote from a decent article on undergravel filters: Quote: How do undergravel filters work?
An undergravel filter is a slatted tray which forms a false floor that allows a layer of gravel to be suspended above a water filled space. One or more vertical pipes, called airlifts (or uplifts), are attached to the plate through which water is drawn using a powerhead or an airstone (powered by an airpump).
The suction created pulls water and solid wastes into the gravel and provides a source of oxygen-rich water for beneficial nitrifying bacteria, which remove the resulting pollutants from the water. This means that the filter functions both mechanically, by trapping debris, and biologically, by acting as a colonisation site for the bacteria that break down the fishes' wastes.
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December 31st, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| For a heater I would recommend at least one 300W and two would even be better. I personally use stealth heaters that are shatterproof and fully submersible.
For filtration I am not a fan of under ground filters (UFG). It’s a big and very smelly job to clean them.
You will hear a wide range of suggestions for filtration methods. Your choice might be partly based on cost. I believe canister filters are generally more expensive the HOB (hang on back) filters. In either case you want a filter that can cycle all the water in your tank a minimum of 4 times an hour.
You could also benefit from a bubble stone or wand. This will require an air pump strong enough for the stone you choose.
A gravel vacuum is also needed. Preferable a Python vacuum which hooks up to a faucet for water changes. A standard vacuum will work but will require you to carry a lot of buckets of water.
Water conditioner is another must as is food specific to the needs of the fish you have chosen to keep.
Other equipment would include a net, algae sponge, 5 gallon pail, décor, gravel and I’m sure I’m forgetting many other items but a basic list.
Your toughest chose will likely be filtration. You could likely start a new thread on just that question alone.
Good luck and welcome to FishLore
Last edited by Dozey; December 31st, 2008 at 03:06 PM.
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks to all for the suggestions.
So, if I do not use the underground filter, what do I need for air sources? A couple of the air stones? One of them? Or would a HOB filter provide enough oxygen to the tank?
If I do go with the under gravel filter and powerheads, do I still need a second filter, such as the HOB? Speaking of the powerheads, would I have to get two and both be rated for a 75g tank, or could I get two and the sum of those hit the 75g mark? Would I need one (HOB filter) rated for that tank or could I go smaller since I would have the under ground filter? Lastly, I read about protein skimmers, is this something I need to purchase also?
I know I ask a lot of questions, but I want to do this right and enjoy what we have. You all have been a tremendous help and I greatly appreciate it!!!
Last edited by kennya; January 2nd, 2009 at 09:11 AM.
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks fishover! I do get the feeling the under gravel filter isn't a good way to go. Do the air stones need to sit on top of the gravel or can you bury them a bit to help "disguise" them? As for lighting, I read 1-2 watts per gallon, and I see there are many different types. Have a good choice? Also, do they make a 70 - 150 watt bulb or do I need to go with 2 bulbs? The hood I have is only for one bulb.
Thanks again for the in-depth list!! | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| your welcome, the airstones can be buried or sit on top, its a personal preferance, I don't think you can get a 75-100 watt bulb unless you go buy a bulb that would go in a regular flouersecent (spelling?) light fixture, I would go with a good GE bulb either way. do you plan on putting real plants in the tank? you can also replace the lighting with a stronger light with room for a double bulb, like this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=13612
your welcome again for the list, no one listed one so I figured I mind as well.
Last edited by fishlover78; January 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 AM.
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| No, we don't plan on putting real plants. I guess with the different sizes of lamp hoods and different wattage of lights, I am not sure what is the best/cheapest way to go. The hood I have now is for a 48" bulb, does it need to be that big? From what i am seeing, it looks like I need to go 2 - 48 bulbs, which means a new hood.
Thanks again!!! | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| well, if you aren't putting in real plants then you really only need the one 48" bulb, because it will be more then enough for an unplanted aquarium. here is the bulb that I use: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...10&pcatid=3810 like I said before, its a good quality GE bulb. hope this helps! | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| just to make a note, did that come with a stand? if not, you'll need to get one. a 75 gallon i could plan for weighing approx. 750lbs. personally, if the tank is over 20 gallons i either buy a stand that is specifically designed for the weight of the tank, or i make absolutely sure that what i'm buying has the capacity to hold at least 50 lbs (depending on the size of the tank, for you i'd say at least 100 lbs) more than what the tank will be. | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| WOW! how did I forget that! do you have a stand Kennya? | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Yep, have a stand! Guess I didnt throw that in when I started this thread.
Good, glad I can stick to one bulb, those hoods arent cheap.
Thanks for ALL the help everyone! I can't wait to get started will post pics when we finally get everything running! | |
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January 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| yeah some pics will be great! your welcome Kennya, we love helping people here at fishlore  | |
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