First Tank Build, Check My List Take 2!!!

Ok, so a couple changes since my first build list. Here is was if you are interested.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...first-tank-shopping-list.363283/#post-3744956

Since then, I've decided to go from 10gal to 20gal long. Love the look and 20gal is supposedly easier to control spikes, etc for a beginner. Planning to start out with Neon Tetras (~12) and some simple plants and rocks.

I have already bought a 20gal long tank ($20 yeah) and I found Ammonia for $1 thanks to @baldeagle from the dollar tree store. I splurged on some dark fluorite substrate. LFS sales guy sold me on it. It was $48. So far I'm in for ~$70.

I still am trying to find a good hood/light. This is the generic one that matches the tank I bought. ($46)

I'm worried the 24" T8 florescent light might not be enough? I would like to add some plants to the tank as well. Forgot to mention that. Any suggestions as to hood/light would be awesome. Tank top is 30 1/4" by 12 1/2"

Lastly, here is my list (minus stand, which I'll figure out with time). Submersible pump I figured would make water changes easer. It has 6' of head. 13 bucks seems worth it rather than trying to pour a bucket of water. If I buy all this, below it is ~$130, so all in at $200, not bad.



Also a pick of tank, flourite & ammonia

 

For a light, you could maybe buy an LED? I buy mine on eBay for dirt cheap.

 

looks good to me, only thing id change is id get a digital water thermometer, I'm not too happy with my alcohol thermometer

 

I can't speak too much as to the hardware (still a bit of a newbie myself) but I know that there are plant species which can do well under just about any light, so I wouldn't break the bank worrying about a super high lighting rig. Just my two cents

 

I can't speak too much as to the hardware (still a bit of a newbie myself) but I know that there are plant species which can do well under just about any light, so I wouldn't break the bank worrying about a super high lighting rig. Just my two cents

such as java fern, java moss, anubias

 

For a light, you could maybe buy an LED? I buy mine on eBay for dirt cheap.

Can you maybe show me a link? I'm not seeing any dirt cheap. Seeing pretty much same price as retail. Some just hide it in their shipping costs.

 

I bought cheaper ones than this but I can't seem to find them.

 

Turns out picking a cover/light is harder than I thought. Ugh. So many variables.

I can’t tell if I get a glass cover if my HoB filter will
Work, etc. Any tips here?

 

I got sick of my floating thermometer. I was trying to look at it at all angles to read it lol. I suggest splurge on a digital thermometer.

 

Theres a pretty cheap light that seems to do well called the Nicrew LED, its on amazon for under 50 bucks

 

I hate my liquid thermometers! not accurate and I had to replace that exact brand 3 times, get a digital!

 

I've read the old and new posting, and this is so far a good start! There's a couple of things I would suggest to consider getting instead, and some things to add to your list. All in all, these are just recommendations or things to think about before purchasing
1. For the gravel siphon, I suggest one with a squeeze bulb because it'll squeeze air in and pull water up the siphoning tube, and generally help work the water through those hose quicker than battling the water with gravity. Mine has one included and saves frustration. chewy has some options with it.
2. I agree with a suggestion on the old post about getting an aquarium bucket that'll never touch anything with detergents. I went to Home Depot to get 2 of their orange 5 gallon buckets for $3-4 each. It saves me time by siphoning out dirty water in one while preparing the fresh treated water in the other simultaneously.
3. There's some dislike over the thermometer chosen in the comments. I've kept suction up plastic and glass thermometers to avoid investing in digital and to quickly glance at it during feedings without messing with a digital. I understand if you own multiple tanks, then it becomes more cost effective then to get a digital instead of purchasing multiple thermometers. But since you're beginning, then this should be fine for now. An equally cheap, effective alternative is a thermometer strip that sticks to the outer tank.
4. There's 2 water test kits listed; essentially you want one testing the 5 basic principles of water quality, which is niTRATES, niTRITES, hardness, alkalinity, and pH. There's debate between liquid and strip test because of their price, accuracy, time and effort required. Personally, I like Tetra 5-n-1 EasyStrips which tests all the basic principles I've listed by quickly dipping into the tank water and waiting 30 second for accurate results. One bottle has 25 count for about $11 at Walmart, but chewy sells the 25 count for $8.99 and 100 count for $17.49.
4. Someone in the old post mentioned a sponge filter, but it's not in the new list. I recommend doing your own research into filtration media, such as sponge for the intake tube and canister, carbon, ceramic, filter cartridges, etc., so you can decide on your own. I don't use filter cartridges because once your tank cycles after a month, the cartridge is supposed be thrown out. This'll remove your beneficial bacteria you need, and jinks the tank to cycle over and gives way for water quality spikes and disease. The cost of buying monthly cartridges add up eventually, so I use a sponge on the intake to prevent large debris from clogging the intake tube, another sponge and ceramic filtration in the canister. Sponges cost less than $3, and you squeeze out the particles collected in aquarium water monthly, they normally last until they disintegrate which takes a long time.

 

Check out chewy, I've found that they seem to have really good prices on stuff especially chemicals. Haven't actually bought anything yet.

 

I hate my liquid thermometers! not accurate and I had to replace that exact brand 3 times, get a digital!

Digital Heat Pens for measuring temperature of meat while cooking works pretty well in this application and is fairly inexpensive.

 

looks good to me, only thing id change is id get a digital water thermometer, I'm not too happy with my alcohol thermometer

Mine normal cheep thermometer takes about 5 mins to adjust to the new temperature and it’s hard to get the temperature the same when I do water changes.

 

Mine normal cheep thermometer takes about 5 mins to adjust to the new temperature and it’s hard to get the temperature the same when I do water changes.

ive had two of the floating thermometers and both of them have what seems to be stuck temps, I started using an IR temp gun to check surface temps when doing water changes, its much quicker

 

ive had two of the floating thermometers and both of them have what seems to be stuck temps, I started using an IR temp gun to check surface temps when doing water changes, its much quicker

Ok will try that. Thanks

 

Ok will try that. Thanks

Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~1022℉ (-50℃～550℃), Yellow and Black

this is a decent one, it doesn't test the entire temp but I find it to be good enough +/- 2-3°

 

Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~1022℉ (-50℃～550℃), Yellow and Black

this is a decent one, it doesn't test the entire temp but I find it to be good enough +/- 2-3°

Thank you

 

Thank you

no problemo!

 

Thanks for everyone’s help. I ordered all I showed above from amazon and Chewy’s. Should be here by the weekend. Well tomorrow for amazon! Chewys, I’m not sure.

Just need to figure out lid/hood, lights and stand. Once the pump comes tomorrow I’ll test fill my tank!

 

Thanks for everyone’s help. I ordered all I showed above from amazon and Chewy’s. Should be here by the weekend. Well tomorrow for amazon! Chewys, I’m not sure.

Just need to figure out lid/hood, lights and stand. Once the pump comes tomorrow I’ll test fill my tank!

you could either build a stand for like $20 (if not less) , or you could buy one of those portable plastic tables to use as a cheap stand, or go on craigslist or facebook marketplace and you can either find a stand or you can find maybe an old end table or tv stand or entertainment center that you could use. (id personally go the route of building a stand, its super simple I can send you a video on it too)

hood you can use either of these things and cut to shape for your preference:

4 ft. x 2 ft. Suspended Light Ceiling Panel




26 in. x 8 ft. Clear PVC Roof Panel



those are the DIY options.

 

you could either build a stand for like $20 (if not less) , or you could buy one of those portable plastic tables to use as a cheap stand, or go on craigslist or facebook marketplace and you can either find a stand or you can find maybe an old end table or tv stand or entertainment center that you could use. (id personally go the route of building a stand, its super simple I can send you a video on it too)

hood you can use either of these things and cut to shape for your preference:

4 ft. x 2 ft. Suspended Light Ceiling Panel




26 in. x 8 ft. Clear PVC Roof Panel



those are the DIY options.

Thanks for that. I'm just really surprised how much a "plastic" lid is. I mean the tank was $20 and I get it, they are just trying to draw you in to the hobby. But $50 for a plastic lid is ridiculous. I see they have some glass lids for less, but not sure how it would work with HOB. I think I might just go topless for a bit (sounds like fun).

Regarding the stand, I think I'll go to HomeGoods store and look for a piece of cheaper furniture. Again, I'm seeing stands for $80-120 that are just plain particle board. Looks pretty ugly. I can get a piece of furniture at HomeGoods or Pier1 for that price. These things should be $40. That would still leave 100% markup for the manufacturer. Some of these peripherals are over the top expensive for junk quality. My 2cents. Worth what it costs.

 

thw egg crate and the roofing lids that I sent you work extremely well, especially the egg crate, many people on here recommend it. it doesn't look bad either cause you can cut it to exact shape to accommodate your HOB, your heater, etc

 

Yeah, egg crate doesn't look bad. Thanks.