xathine

I'm looking to start a 55g tank. I plan on using black sand, and most likely silk plants, with some fake rock here and there.

I'll be stocking the following:
5-8 Tiger barbs
3 Dalmatian mollys
3 Upside down catfish
1 Rainbow shark


I was just going to walk into my LFS and just buy a filter / heater / lighting etc that was recommended for a 55g tank. I figured I'd ask you fish gurus first, what would be a good setup for my tank? I'm not sure I want to go "all out" but I want to have something that will be able to filter, heat, and light up my tank good enough.

Shawnie

whahooo a new tank!!! black sand sounds cool...where do you get that? Im a huge fan of canister filters when the tanks are bigger like that..it really does a better job IMO ...for my 55 gal heater i have the 200 watt stealth...love it http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=23-42503608-2 for lighting, mines just a generic one that came with the setup as I have no live plants....make sure you egt pics for us!!!!

gmen4life

yeah canister filters rock i had 2 hang on back each doin 300 GPH and bought a smaller canister filter for my 55 gal and it does an awesome job ill be converting the whole thing to use 2 canister soon and you can stack media how you want

ooibhuskyoo

If you're not too comfortable with canister filters, I hear a LOT of people are big fans of the Aquaclear 110 Hang on Back filter. It's basically like a HOB canister filter because you can customize what media you want.

The stealth heater is definitely one of the better submersible heaters, and it doesn't look ooogly in your tank. If you are going to get a canister filter, I would recommend getting a heater that heats the water through the water line instead.

You would be OK with any aquarium lighting since you aren't planning on putting live plants in your aquarium. Depending on the fish, you can ask your LFS what they recommend to bring out colors, best mimics their original environment, etc.

Good luck with your new tank! =)

xathine

Hehe, sorry I'm really really new to tank equipment.

Whats the advantage of having a canister filter? And what do you mean by "customize what media you want" I'm assuming different filteres - but I've always ran the same one in my tiny setup....

Also the heater you linked, looks nice. I'd like to read up more on what ooibhuskyoo is talking about, heating water through the water line?

Sorry for the noobness, LINKS are extremely helpful

ccb04

Filtration: If going with HOB-type filters, I'd favor multiple AquaClears. You can customize media with the AC's in a similar fashion to a canister. There are several good canisters to choose from. Canisters have a large media volume and media can be readily customized to suit your needs. Water passing through a canister is also in a pressurized seal if you will ... so there is less bypass. You could also go with both types of filtration (eg: 1 canister and 1 AquaClear).

Note: Keep in mind that with any style filter ... the stated GPH is often given for operation without any media in the filter. So when media (sponges, carbon, bio balls, etc.) is added, flow can be reduced. And when the media begins to get dirty ... flow can be restricted even further. Thus, depending on your requirements, it doesn't hurt to go a little bigger than needed ... go with multiple filters ... etc.

Heater: Visi-Therm Stealth

You'll want an air pump (I like Tetra Whisper) ... or a power head for aeration and additional circulation.

If not going with live plants ... standard fluorescent lighting will do. You can either go with a full hood, or get something like the glass versa top and put strip lights on top.

ccb04

This is an in-line heater that is utilized externally and connects to the canisters return line: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...9&pcatid=11369

This would be another option if you got a Rena Filstar canister. It essentially functions internally as the canisters intake: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...4&pcatid=18444

alicem

Hi and welcome to fishlore.
Media has different functions in the filter.
Some media houses the good bacteria, some catch large and small debris and some "polish" the water as it returns to the tank.

Filters that you may be used to, probably have "cartridges" that you slide in and out of the filter when clogged or dirty.
Those cartridges are filter media.
Often they are discarded and a new one is used.

Most of the media in canisters and several types of HOBs (hang on the back aka: power filter) can
be rinsed in used tank water in a separate bucket and put back into use in the filter.

Here is a break down of a popular canister filter:
http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-Filters.html
The media is placed in the "baskets" of the canister. Different brands and sizes of canisters have a different number and shape of baskets.

Some brands of canisters come with media and some do not so you must purchase it separately.
Here are some types of media that can be used in canisters and some HOBs:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/filtermedia.html
There are other things folks use for media as well.

This is a poplular power filter (HOB):
http://www.petsolutions.com/AquaClea...510620+C1.aspx
The white sponge (often called foam) in the bottom of the AquaClear is media.
Typically in a HOB like this one the sponge is on bottom, a layer of filter floss is next and ceramic rings sit on top.

Carbon or charcoal is also media.
There are different opinions on when to use carbon in the setup.
Some folks routinely use it and some don't, unless there is a defined need.
hth,
alicem

ooibhuskyoo

Hey there again! Just to help you out on customizing your filtration with different types of media:

Floss Filter: That white looking thin filter media. It's basically used just to filter out bigger pieces of filth

Bio-Sponge Filter: This spongy filter is used to not only filter out dirt and filth, but because of the thickness and the pores of the sponge, "good" bacteria can form colonies in it during the cycling process and live there.

Carbon Filter: This is a chemical filter used to filter our different chemicals that my get into your water. If you are going to put any medications, it is recommended that you remove the carbon filter since it will also filter out the medications.

Ceramic-Bio Filter: Primarily used to house the beneficial bacteria. Since it is very porous, the bacteria like to grow in here. This doesn't really need to be replaced at all. Since it is ceramic, it will eventually wear down and you will have to replace it at that time.

There are also many other different types of filter media that you can get according to what your aquarium needs. I would recommend sticking with these though since you are still getting started with this hobby.

Also, as mentioned above, you should rinse out your filter media with used TANK WATER and not tap water. This will make sure that only the dirt is rinsed out, and not that beneficial bacteria. Also, you should only clean one media at a time. For example, every two weeks rinse out the filter floss, every month replace the activated carbon, every 2 months rinse the sponge, etc. This will make sure that your cycle doesn't crash.

Hope this helps! =)

Calvin

xathine

Thanks much guys.

ooibhuskyoo

Anytime! Feel free to ask all your questions. I'm sure they will get answered by someone experienced. Also let us know when you set up your tank and everything!

Oh, and Shawnie, they sell black sand on DFS. I believe it's $20 for 25lbs.

-Calvin

aquarist48

Hello! I like the Aqua Clear hang on back (hob) filters. Lots of room for more filter media. I suggest the visi therm stealth heaters and I use generic lighting with upgraded bulbs. Hope you send some pictures our way once you're all set up. Good luck and have fun!

xathine

Seems I found a killer deal on a 75g!!!!!!

Comes with a Fluival canister filter - these any good?

alicem

Is it new?
You might ask in the "misc." forum under "filter reviews" and see what they say. Be sure to specif fluval model # and the tank size.
You'll want the canister gph (gallons per hour) to be big enough for the tank size.

I've never used a Fluval, but there are many that have. Maybe this link will help:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/prc...luvalcanis.htm
If it's new and a "killer" enough of a deal, I'd get it and see how it goes. It'd be tough to pass on a good deal on a 75G with a canister.
Good luck,
alicem