Got my tank

I took advatage of the sale at Petco and bought a 45 gallon tank (36X12X24) so its a tall tank....

I bought a filter as well.. a Bio-Wheel 350B or something like that.. it works well up to 75 gallons and flows 300 GPH or w/e .. I don't remember what the box said. Tank heater of course, a nitrate/amonia,nitrite test kit,hood with light, and something else

I chose play sand as my substrate.. I put the 50 lbs of sand into a big bucket and ran water through it for a while...

(I'll post pics of the stuff I Got later)

I need some form of stand.. I was thinking some cinderblocks and thick plywood covered with a drape or something.

but the most important question!

What to stock it with?

Its tall so fish that hang out at each level would be cool.

I have my pleco.. so... that's a start.

I know I need some MTS's to dig through the sand

but what else.. I'd like schooling fish as well as fish that are lively.

 

wow that sounds like a great tank!

it depends on what size fish your after to what you should put in it. and with a tank of that size you can have a lot or small fish medium or a couple real big ones.
work out if you want to go Cichlid's, native, or just normal tropical water fish.
Pleco's are good to keep with most cichlids but your really open to most fish atm with only a pleco in there.
I'm sorry I could not be of more help but its totally up to you and if you like vivid colours of fish id go with cichlids. Angels, discus and a lot of other cichlids have beautiful colour's. but they are a lil more expensive.
let us all know what you decide to do.
cheers,
Bryn

 

As it is a tall tank, discus and angels would be great, but I won't recommend discus as u r a beginner, they require high maintenance and great care, best tank mates for angels r bala shark, guppy and platy.

 

Cichlids? I can look into those...

I do want vivid colour... some small fish and a medium fish or two would be cool..

I'll find the compatibility chart and see what my options are

 

The tank is on the stand, filled with water, dechlorinated and added pure ammonia.

Tomorrow I will take readings.. but the test kit only came with the solution for Nitrates, PH (high/low), ammonia (regant A and B)

I'll get some test solution for nitrites next week as I blew my entire paycheck on the set up. Nothing in the tank except substrate for now.

Let the cycle begin

 

make sure if you are getting cichlids that you make sure your whole tank is cycled because they are not as hardy as most other tropical fish. I would recommend putting the hardest fish in the tank first and then if u r getting cichlids to put them in last when u deffinatly know the tank is fine
hope to hear how u go