Complete Beginner Setup

HI Guys

Complete beginner but doing my research

I have been given an acrylic second hand tank, 120L (about 26 gallon). 780L x 340W x 450D in mm.

Now my plan is to try and remove some scratch marks first well before any fish go in.

At the planning stage so far, so just wanted a sanity check on a few things if anyone has the time to answer.

1. Current heater looks undersize at 25W, thinking of going for a 100W.

2. The tank has an overhead filter, currently just some old poly filter. I'm thinking of replacing that with new poly filter and add say ceramic noodles/balls, is that okay, any thoughts?

3. I want to swap the pump, some off brand top mounted thing with a snorkel to a submersible pump, is that okay, would 600L/h be enough or go bigger?

4. Not sure yet on substrate, sand or gravel, is it at all possible for a beginner to get some very basic plants going or just KISS and tackle that when more experienced ?

5. Air stonres, powerheads or anything else required ?

I want to get everything sorted first but fish I'm looking at as a complete beginner after doing some reading.

A school or two of Tetra/Rasbora/Barb

and then possibly

Small group of Loach or Cory

If that is also relatively sane and these are good beginner fish.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

1. Yeah that heater is way too small those are for nano tanks.
2. That seems good depending on the flowrate of the filter being high enough for the tank? You will most likely need to add another filter. Filters are always wayyyyy over rated on the box.
3. I don't exactly know what you mean by the pump, do you mean a powerhead?
4. I think sand tends to be the general consensus, you could have some java fern which is practically indestructable and looks great, you attach it to wood or rocks with some string or glue.
5. You will need de-chlorinator like Seachem Prime, and Seachem stability is also handy for getting the tank cycled.

I would get the tank set up ASAP if you want to do it safely and properly a fishless cycle can take upto 2-3months.

 

Firstly; welcome!!

1. 100w or even a 75w would be ok. If you could somehow find a w between the two that would be perfect for your tank, but 100w would be better.

2. Again, sounds good. Could always add extra stuff along with the noodles.

3. 600l is a small bit overkill but you can never have too much filtration, so that's fine.

4. You could get plastic or silk plants, but there are plenty of plants out there with easy maintenence, where all you have to do is remove dead plant matter, so I would DEFINATELY reccomend live plants over fake. There are lots of benefits to a tank.

5. Nothing else required I don't think except a light.

* food and water conditioner. You need those! Also preferably some things to help with tank cleaning like a siphone, sponge and gravel vacuum!

 

API master kit, for testing water quality. Cheaper and more accurate than most

 

Also, just a tip. Use pool filter sand. It is sooooo much better it's crazy.

 

Have you cycled your tank? This is by far the most important part.

 

Thanks everyone so much.

Cleaning gear, food, water conditioner and testing kit are on the shopping list now.

2. That seems good depending on the flowrate of the filter being high enough for the tank? You will most likely need to add another filter. Filters are always wayyyyy over rated on the box.

3. I don't exactly know what you mean by the pump, do you mean a powerhead?

Not sure on the filter, it's an overhead with a spray bar and trickles through.

The pump is a cheap unit for an all in one, looks similar to a powerheads but has an up and side outlet with an intake pipe at the bottom. States 1000L/h but not sure how true that would be.

Have only found some hard to come by replacments that are dirt cheap. Maybe I'm being over the top but I feel like I should use something better quality, but it looks like I would need a submersible pump to run the filter, maybe an adjustable allowing up to 600L/h, then a small circulating pump/powerhead to get some flow in the tank ?

Firstly; welcome!!
...

5. Nothing else required I don't think except a light.

Forgot to mention the lid does have some LED lighting.

Have you cycled your tank? This is by far the most important part.

No not yet. Have quite a bit to organise first.

 

I recommend getting a new filter period, so you won't have to worry about the pump. Get an HOB rated at 10x GPH your tank volume, or a canister rated for 5x GPH tank volume minimum.