I want ANOTHER tank

I would go with a 30 or 40 long or 40 breeder [I like the breeders for the depth], keep it simple and easy for you to deal with and grow into, I have 16 tanks and everyone of them have a sponge filter in them, five of them have HOB in addition with sponge filter [depending on the fish in the tank].

 

That's interesting! I wouldn't of even thought about it relatively being the same size length and height.
I just feel like if I went up that much from a 16 I would probably have to recycle the entire thing.

Actually it isn't the water volume or size of tank that determines the amount of bacteria a tank has in it. It is the bio-load. You could transfer everything from the 16 gallon tank over to a much bigger tank and it will have enough bacteria to handle the bio-load of the fish you have right now. In other words the bigger tank will be instantly cycled to the bio-load of the fish you move from the 16 gallon. Then you could slowly add more fish allowing time between each addition for the bacteria to catch up with the higher bio-load.

BTW: HOB filters will work fine in a bigger tank. I actually run 2 HOB filters along with 2 dual sponge filters in my 55. I would run the same filters on a 75. I've never even considered a canister filter.

 

Awesome!
Thank you guys for all your tips and advice. I somehow lucked out and found a 45 gallon Marineland with the exact stand I wanted (one that had cabinets to hid all the fish gear) Biowheel filter, lights, heater, substrate, AND driftwood etc all for $200! Best part is the guy is actually going to try and deliver it directly to me TODAY!
I'm super pumped and maybe one day I will be brave enough to do a 75 gallon tank. Haha

 

That’s a great deal, good luck and keep us posted on your build

 

Bigger tanks are easier to maintain. I always recommend 75s as the best starter tank. It has a great footprint that opens you up to so many fish. You should be able to find a used 75 with everything for less than $200.

Really? Mine costed way much more!

 

Awesome!
Thank you guys for all your tips and advice. I somehow lucked out and found a 45 gallon Marineland with the exact stand I wanted (one that had cabinets to hid all the fish gear) Biowheel filter, lights, heater, substrate, AND driftwood etc all for $200! Best part is the guy is actually going to try and deliver it directly to me TODAY!
I'm super pumped and maybe one day I will be brave enough to do a 75 gallon tank. Haha

Good luck with your tank!!!!!

 

I find 45s a nice size too...i have one i am prepping to get set up once again! But this time i will be in charge of it. My wife is too small to do any kind of vaccuuming or water changes on it without getting completely soaked!

 

That’s a great deal, good luck and keep us posted on your build

Yes! I am still blown away at how much of a deal it is. I will probably end up getting bigger pieces of driftwood for it and change out the substrate but I'm ready to get it started as soon as possible. I can finally condense and put my betta into the 16 gallon and move all the other fish to the bigger tank. I'm just thankful his tank was set up very naturally so I don't have loads of random fake decor to throw away. Haha

Good luck with your tank!!!!!

Thank you! I'm really excited!!!

I find 45s a nice size too...i have one i am prepping to get set up once again! But this time i will be in charge of it. My wife is too small to do any kind of vaccuuming or water changes on it without getting completely soaked!

Yah it's pretty tall (which I am too so that helps) but I am thinking I still might still need a ladder to vacuum things out with my python. Thankfully my guest bathtub I have it hooked up too is literally right next to the area I am going to set it up.

 

Congratulations!!!! Sounds like you got a really good deal. I hope dealing with a really deep tank won't discourage you. I am 5'7" and even I find my 55 a bit deeper than I like but it is what it is. I have to stand on my tip toes to reach the bottom back of the tank and forget about doing anything back there unless some water is removed first. If not then I am up to my armpit in water

 

I'd say go for the best quality and then the largest your budget will allow. I've had Jwel, Hagen, Fluval and now Aqua Oak.. with Fluval filter, heater and lighting.. this is by far the best quality I've had..

 

Congratulations!!!! Sounds like you got a really good deal. I hope dealing with a really deep tank won't discourage you. I am 5'7" and even I find my 55 a bit deeper than I like but it is what it is. I have to stand on my tip toes to reach the bottom back of the tank and forget about doing anything back there unless some water is removed first. If not then I am up to my armpit in water

Thanks! And it definitely won't! I'm 5'9" so I think I will be perfectly fine, and I'm not afraid of tank water/getting my hands dirty. Although I may end up getting some of those long rubber gloves though for certain things. If you have any tips on big tanks let me know!

I'd say go for the best quality and then the largest your budget will allow. I've had Jwel, Hagen, Fluval and now Aqua Oak.. with Fluval filter, heater and lighting.. this is by far the best quality I've had..

Thanks for those suggestions! I've never really used anything Fluval Brand except the substrate I have right now. And I am going to see exactly what stuff he is selling me and see if it's any good. He's only had this tank since last November so it seems like most of it is in really good shape, just need to make sure it can grow plants.
I might even end up experimenting with Co2 this time around as well since the storage space is a lot better with this stand.

 

Thanks! And it definitely won't! I'm 5'9" so I think I will be perfectly fine, and I'm not afraid of tank water/getting my hands dirty. Although I may end up getting some of those long rubber gloves though for certain things. If you have any tips on big tanks let me know!

You are so very welcome. I've never worn any gloves while tending my tanks. I have found just lowering the water level when planting plants works well. I really don't like wearing gloves for anything. My fingernails usually end up paying the price since I don't even wear them while working out in the gardens. The only time I do wear them is when raking or shoveling but only to prevent blisters.

This new bigger tank shouldn't be much different than your 16 gallon tank when it comes to taking care of it. It will just be bigger and you will be able to do much more with it.

I know I can't be the only one looking forward to seeing your new tank once you get it set up.

 

Fluval products are to fish keeping like Bentleys are to cars

 

You are so very welcome. I've never worn any gloves while tending my tanks. I have found just lowering the water level when planting plants works well. I really don't like wearing gloves for anything. My fingernails usually end up paying the price since I don't even wear them while working out in the gardens. The only time I do wear them is when raking or shoveling but only to prevent blisters.

This new bigger tank shouldn't be much different than your 16 gallon tank when it comes to taking care of it. It will just be bigger and you will be able to do much more with it.

I know I can't be the only one looking forward to seeing your new tank once you get it set up.

Yah I am with you on that! I only wear gloves when there are thorns involved. Haha I have 6 guppies, 6 julii cories and a honey gourami. Do you have any other stocking ideas that would be fun? I've thought about adding more to the guppies and cories. But I would love to have some fish I haven't been able to have before!
And I will definitely be updating as soon as possible.

 

Yah I am with you on that! I only wear gloves when there are thorns involved. Haha I have 6 guppies, 6 julii cories and a honey gourami. Do you have any other stocking ideas that would be fun? I've thought about adding more to the guppies and cories. But I would love to have some fish I haven't been able to have before!
And I will definitely be updating as soon as possible.

Personally I am partial to various Tetras. I have blood fins, neons, black skirts and one lone red/blue Columbian right now. The blood fins spend most of their time up top. The black skirts mid level and the neons stay closer to the bottom so there is activity on all levels most of the time. Corys inhabit the very bottom.

 

here’s the tank and he also gave me impressive pieces of driftwood/spider wood. I’m going to spray paint the stand black and take out the gravel and put in pool sand. Now I’ve gotta brain storm on how I want to design it. The lights are not great so I will have to look into getting another one for plants.

Personally I am partial to various Tetras. I have blood fins, neons, black skirts and one lone red/blue Columbian right now. The blood fins spend most of their time up top. The black skirts mid level and the neons stay closer to the bottom so there is activity on all levels most of the time. Corys inhabit the very bottom.

Ah okay yah I had a bad run with some neons so I’d like to do something a little different! Maybe a ram or two. But I’m gonna look into them anyways!

 

Neons are very hit or miss nowadays. I struggled to get a decent size school of them. Each time I got new ones I would lose some of the new ones and some of the originals. I had just about decided I was destined to never have a decent size school of them. I was finally able to buy 13 of them all at the same time from Mcasella here on the forum. She had already quarantined them so knew they were healthy. Once in my tank they thrived and fortunately I didn't lose any of my originals this time.

 

Neons are very hit or miss nowadays. I struggled to get a decent size school of them. Each time I got new ones I would lose some of the new ones and some of the originals. I had just about decided I was destined to never have a decent size school of them. I was finally able to buy 13 of them all at the same time from Mcasella here on the forum. She had already quarantined them so knew they were healthy. Once in my tank they thrived and fortunately I didn't lose any of my originals this time.

Yeah the last school I got, they all died within days of getting them randomly, so I guess that’s why I’m a little Leary of them! Thankfully the LFS near me always quarantines their fish so I can just acclimate and Put them in same day!

 

If anyone wants to follow my progress and see more details just look here:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/45g-freshwater-set-up.466205/