NEW 36 Gallon Bowfront!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I'm certainly having a very merry one! Anticipating I was going to get a 30 Gallon tank, I sure was surprised to walk down the stairs to find a 36 Gallon Bowfront sitting there! I was really worried regarding if Rainbow Fish could fit in a 30 Gallon, but I'm a little more reassured putting them in a 36 Gallon. Along with it came a heater, a Tetra Whisper 40I Internal Filter, some filter cartridges, and of course, a lid. Ecstatic to pick out decor this week! So i'm thinking of stocking the tank like this:
- 6 Dwarf Neon Rainbows
- 3 Lake Kutubu Rainbows
- 3 Banded Rainbows (considering adding another one from my previous 30 gallon tank stocking idea)
Is this good? Any comments on the filter? I'm considering buying an Aqueon 30 gallon Quietflow Filter to add to the tank with the other filter to reach 360 Gallons per hour, thoughts?

 

I can't comment on the Rainbows as I've never own them (besides Dwarf Neon Rainbows).

As far as the filter goes, you'll either need to upgrade to something bigger or add another filter to bring up the GPH (the Tetra 40I offers 170 GPH so you'd need to add another filter that offers a GPH of 190 or more). Since this tank is on the bigger side, I'd totally recommend getting a canister filter. The SunSun filters from eBay are great canisters, IME. Fluval are great as well.

 

I can't comment on the Rainbows as I've never own them (besides Dwarf Neon Rainbows).

As far as the filter goes, you'll either need to upgrade to something bigger or add another filter to bring up the GPH (the Tetra 40I offers 170 GPH so you'd need to add another filter that offers a GPH of 190 or more). Since this tank is on the bigger side, I'd totally recommend getting a canister filter. The SunSun filters from eBay are great canisters, IME. Fluval are great as well.

The Aqueon Quietflow 30 is 200 GPH so I think that would be pretty good to go with the Whisper 40i.

 

Woot! Woot! the Aqueon would give you 5x GPH in filtration, you should be good to go.

 

Dump the internal filter as they are pretty much ineffective, is suggest getting the aqueon 55/75 quiet flow as it's super efficient

 

Ok good!

 

Dump the internal filter as they are pretty much ineffective, is suggest getting the aqueon 55/75 quiet flow as it's super efficient

I think I might just keep the internal filter because my parents bought it to go with the tank and I don't want to make them have to buy me another filter or make them upset if I throw it out. Like Rivieraneo said the Aqueon 30 would give me enough GPH along with the internal so I think I might stick with it.

 

I think your stocking looks pretty good. I actually have one banded rainbow in my tank (the Goyder River variant) that is not listed in my signature. (Someday, I'll get around to adding him to my signature,but it's only been about 7 months!)

Back when I had my 36 gallon tank set up, I used a Fluval 205 (now sold as the 206) canister filter and was very happy with it. So of course I would vote for you also getting a canister filter.

 

Ask your parents if they can return it then?

 

I think your stocking looks pretty good. I actually have one banded rainbow in my tank (the Goyder River variant) that is not listed in my signature. (Someday, I'll get around to adding him to my signature,but it's only been about 7 months!)

Back when I had my 36 gallon tank set up, I used a Fluval 205 (now sold as the 206) canister filter and was very happy with it. So of course I would vote for you also getting a canister filter.

Ok, thanks. The only filters I've ever used have been the external ones so I really don't want to make this all too complicated! I currently have a Quietflow 10 with my 10 gal. and have never had any problems with it so I think I would remain with that brand for my second filter.

 

Ask your parents if they can return it then?

I've researched the 40I filter and have seen good reviews on it. I really don't see what the problem is with it.

Update: Well fengshui, I took your advice. Today I used a Petsmart gift card and also exchanged the other filter for an Aqueon Quietflow 55/75, 400 GPH. My parents weren't upset though!