Newbie Setting up a 20 or 29 gallon tank

HI Everyone

I am seriously thinking of starting my first aquarium and am debating between a 20 gallon (high or long size), 29 gallon or 50 gallon. I've never had a community aquarium before but have had experience in the past with betta keeping and goldfish keeping (separately of course). I am familiar with partial water changes. I still have a lot of research to do and know I have to do the Nitrogen cycle. My first step is buying a tank and I am wondering if I should get the 20 gallon high or long or the 29 gallon. Part of me thinks I should get the 50 gallon. I need to do a lot of research on compatible fish but already I am thinking of getting a pleco, black mollies,black skirt tetras..Do these sound like compatible tank-mates. I think I want to stick with warm water fish and am leaning towards the 29 gallon. Although if I end up getting the 20 gallon does it matter if its high or long? Sorry for all the questions and thank you in advance!

 

Welcome to the forum

I'd buy the biggest tank you have the space and money for! That said, footprint is definitely much more important than the gallons when stocking fish. So, a 20 gallon long is much better than a 20 gallon high. And a 29 gallon would be better than a 20 gallon long because it has the same footprint but taller.

If you're going to have both mollies and a pleco, I'd probably get at least a 55 gallon though. They're very messy fish so the extra gallons of water will help maintain stable water parameters.

 

Well a 29 gallon has the same footprint as a 20 gallon long. I would go with either 20 gallon long or 29 gallon. I perfer long over high because most fish besides angelfish need more swim room side to side versus top to bottom.

 

I'd go with the 29 or 55 gal. Not too good with stocking though, so I can't help you there. Sorry

 

Sounds funny but the bigger the better. The bigger ones are by far kept stabil easier. Maintenance is less. Bigger choice of fish etc etc.

 

HI! xThank you so much for your response and for explaining the difference in tank sizes. I was a bit confused yesterday in the pet store when the worker suggested the long tank vs the high tank for the 20 gallon. I truthfully don't have much space and live in an apt. There's a good chance I might move in a year and a half. That being said, I'm still debating if a 50 or 55 gallon would be a good choice because when the time comes, I'd have to figure out how to move the fish. From what I've read, the plecos seem to grow pretty big and can be messy. I thought they seemed cool yesterday as I observed them in their tanks. Could you possible suggest another type of fish similar to the pleco, that hangs out on the floor or glass. I also liked the catfish and know they vary in size. I'm seriously considering a 29 gallon at this point. I'm thinking if and when I move, I could always set up another similar size tank in the new place ahead of time or even at my parent's house and transport fish. That's still a possibility that may or may not happen but I just want to be mindful of all the options. Thank you again for your help.

 

There are plecos that stay small like Bristlenoses and clowns. And of course, if you're looking for bottom dwellers I highly recommend corydoras. They're shoaling fish that are best kept in a group of at least 6+ of their own species. Extremely peaceful and so fun to watch. I recommend a sand substrate for them though as they do a lot of sifting and digging their faces in the substrate to find morsels of food.

 

HI! xThank you so much for your response and for explaining the difference in tank sizes. I was a bit confused yesterday in the pet store when the worker suggested the long tank vs the high tank for the 20 gallon. I truthfully don't have much space and live in an apt. There's a good chance I might move in a year and a half. That being said, I'm still debating if a 50 or 55 gallon would be a good choice because when the time comes, I'd have to figure out how to move the fish. From what I've read, the plecos seem to grow pretty big and can be messy. I thought they seemed cool yesterday as I observed them in their tanks. Could you possible suggest another type of fish similar to the pleco, that hangs out on the floor or glass. I also liked the catfish and know they vary in size. I'm seriously considering a 29 gallon at this point. I'm thinking if and when I move, I could always set up another similar size tank in the new place ahead of time or even at my parent's house and transport fish. That's still a possibility that may or may not happen but I just want to be mindful of all the options. Thank you again for your help.

Not sure about things similar looking to plecos, but algae eaters are pretty cute. You can usually see them either hiding or on the walls.

 

Awesome thanks everyone!! If I were to get the 29 gallon, what kind of filter would I need? I read somewhere about placing 2 50 gallon filters on a 29 gallon tank. Not sure if that's too much.

 

Awesome thanks everyone!! If I were to get the 29 gallon, what kind of filter would I need? I read somewhere about placing 2 50 gallon filters on a 29 gallon tank. Not sure if that's too much.

Well that's kind of up to you. What kind of filters do you like? There are canisters, sponge, and HOB (hang off back) filters.

 

Awesome thanks everyone!! If I were to get the 29 gallon, what kind of filter would I need? I read somewhere about placing 2 50 gallon filters on a 29 gallon tank. Not sure if that's too much.

I think the rule of thumb is you want the gph of the filtration to be 10× the amount of gallons in your tank

 

Since you're going to have mollies and a pleco, I'd either do an HOB or canister that turns over at least 300 gph.

 

29 is a good choice, it will allow the plants to grow a bit taller before you need to trim them. With my 20 long I had to trim them constantly and there were times when I wished I could have let them go a lot longer.. In fact, I was filling the tank all the way to the brI'm to allow them to grow. It was frustrating.

That being said, I'd go with the 50-55.. Once you fill the tank with tons of plants, the extra space of the larger tank will allow for more swimming room for the fish.

Have you checked out Dutch style planted tanks? Good inspiration there..

 

HI Everyone-You guys are so great and so helpful. I didn't even realize the different choices in filters..The HOB or canister ones sound good since that means they (hopefully) take up less space. I'm guessing if I get a 29 gallon, I should get 2 that would equal to 300gph. Would you guys recommend a certain brand or would you say any is pretty ok? I'm hoping to buy the tank tomorrow. Petco is having a sale ($1/gallon) so the 29 should be 29 dollars and then I would need to buy a hood (preferably with lights), filters and decorations Another quick question, if I were to get the 29 gallon would it be ok to have a smaller pleco(bristle nose or clown) with a school of 5 or 6 corydoras and some other fish? I guess my question is can plecos and corydoras who are both bottom dwellers, I believe, coexist in the same tank? Also, was thinking of maybe adding a fiddler crab or shrimp or snails-would any of these be an OK idea? Again, thank you so very much again for all the info and patience. Also, would you suggest I get live plants or are fake ones ok? I think for the plecos I would also need to get drift wood.

 

HI Everyone-You guys are so great and so helpful. I didn't even realize the different choices in filters..The HOB or canister ones sound good since that means they (hopefully) take up less space. I'm guessing if I get a 29 gallon, I should get 2 that would equal to 300gph. Would you guys recommend a certain brand or would you say any is pretty ok? I'm hoping to buy the tank tomorrow. Petco is having a sale ($1/gallon) so the 29 should be 29 dollars and then I would need to buy a hood (preferably with lights), filters and decorations Another quick question, if I were to get the 29 gallon would it be ok to have a smaller pleco(bristle nose or clown) with a school of 5 or 6 corydoras and some other fish? I guess my question is can plecos and corydoras who are both bottom dwellers, I believe, coexist in the same tank? Also, was thinking of maybe adding a fiddler crab or shrimp or snails-would any of these be an OK idea? Again, thank you so very much again for all the info and patience. Also, would you suggest I get live plants or are fake ones ok? I think for the plecos I would also need to get drift wood.

I'm not sure with shrimp and plecos, but shrimp and corycats do fine.

 

Awesome, thanks

 

Not to cause more confusion for you, but remember that the dollar per gallon sale also covers 40 gallon tanks (sort of a compromise between the 20/29 gal and the 55 gal). The footprint for both the 20 gal long and 29 gal is approx 30" x 12". The 55 gal footprint is approx 48" x 12" and the 40 gal "breeder" tank footprint is approx 36" x 18"

 

I have several tanks and most happy with the biggest ones!
Most options, lowest maintenance, less issues

 

Thanks guys.. I'm secretly hoping they still have the 40 gallon available when I go tonight

 

I love the look of the 36•18 footprint myself and it's actually more surface area on the bottom than the 55 (I think by roughly a little less than 75 in^2).

Cories or KuhlI Loaches are great choices for the bottom. There's lots of options to choose from for your tank!

 

HI Everyone. They ran out of the 40 gallon tank at the 2 local petcos, so I ended up getting the 29 gallon. I'm currently researching a good filter, stand and hood. I found 2 different filters on amazon and don't know which would be a better choice. I know the aI'm is to have ideally 300gph and a canister or hob one. I'm debating between Aqueon Quiet Flow 50(250gph), the Aqueon Quiet Flow 55/75 (400gph) or Penn Plax Cascade HOB Filter (300gph). Could anyone offer a suggestion as to which 1 of these is better or if you know of another one that might work? Thank you so much again

 

I like the Aqua Clear if a canister is out of budget. I like having the option to customize media.

The quiet flows are very popular and work for lots of people, but I haven't heard much on the PennPlax filters, sorry.

Either the 50 or the 55/75 should be adequate in my opinion, but people generally s advise going with a minimum of a 10 turnover

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm a little confused about what it means to have a "10 turnover" Sorry I was looking up filters and came across these 2 as well which cost a bit more and are canisters, maybe these would be better? API Filter XP-M Canister Filter (265 gph) and the Rena 721 Filter XP2 Canister Filter (300gph) Would you say these are a better choice? Thank you again.[h=3][/h]

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm a little confused about what it means to have a "10 turnover" Sorry I was looking up filters and came across these 2 as well which cost a bit more and are canisters, maybe these would be better? API Filter XP-M Canister Filter (265 gph) and the Rena 721 Filter XP2 Canister Filter (300gph) Would you say these are a better choice? Thank you again.[h=3][/h]

No experience with researching those. Meant 10 times turnover. Canisters are more efficient and require less of a turnover of around 5 times.

 

Thanks.. From what I've read so far, seems like over-filtration is better than not enough so I think I'll go with the Cascade 1000 Canister filter.

 

That particular canister has known issues with blow by, where large particles pass around the sides of the media baskets. The creative solution is to jam filter floss around the outside of the baskets to prevent the issue. I did look into that canister myself for a future 65 gallon build, but am going with a different canister for that one.

I looked into the Hydor Professional series canisters and that's what I will buy, but I have no first hand experience with it to guide you there

 

Thank you xso very much for all the great advice. I ended up getting the Fluval 206 canister. I'm going to order on Amazon the master test kit, the quick start kit (with the bacteria to start Nitrogen cycle), gravel and maybe some decorations. I already have the stand and hood with lights. I'm not sure which kit I should get to start nitrogen cycle (Tetra SafeStart or API quick start) Do you think one is better than the other? Also, I have a separate goldfish tank-should I maybe grab some gravel from there and introduce it to the tank to introduce beneficial bacteria? I'm still compiling my list of fish that I'd like to have but I definitely either want a bristlenose pleco and corydoras. Also thinking of getting a redtail shark, maybe a snail or two, and maybe a school of guppies. I'm wondering what kind of gravel to get? The sand looks complicated but if it works better, Ill get it. So my main questions at this moment are what kind of gravel to get, which starter kit is best and if I should introduce some gravel or water from other tank as well and if the fish I'm thinking about getting work for a 29 gallon. Thank you for reading and again for all the helpful advice-so grateful to have found this site, you are great!

 

I would get the Tetra SafeStart Plus (should say "Start Up" on the front and not "monthly"). Will you be doing a fishless or fish-in cycle? Is your goldfish tank cycled? If so, I would just take a little of the filter media and use that to jump start the new tank instead of cycling from the beginning. And there is some BB in the gravel as well but not in the water.

As for substrate, if you're going with corys I would get sand. A redtail shark wouldn't work in that tank size. They need a much larger tank. Guppies aren't schooling fish so you don't necessarily need a group of them though you can certainly get a few. I'd stick with all males though.

 

Thanks for the advice.. What kind of sand should I get and should I mix with gravel?

 

I like pool filter sand and my corys do great on it. Though if you like a black sand, I'd go with Black Diamond Blasting Sand. I wouldn't mix sand with gravel as the sand would eventually wind up on the bottom of the gravel.

 

Awesome, thanks for the advice. As a newcomer to this hobby, would you say sand is harder to care for than gravel or about the same? My fear is sweeping up sand when I clean the bottom of the tank. Not sure if its a illegitimate fear or not

 

It is a reasonable fear and I find it easier to clean. You got to learn how high to swirl the syphon to get the wastes to float up and not kick up sand. 2" is common, but I found that I have to go lower personally and others need higher. Expect to lose a very small amount the first couple goes at it until you've gotten it down pat.

I doubt I'll go with gravel ever again

 

Awesome, thanks for the advice. As a newcomer to this hobby, would you say sand is harder to care for than gravel or about the same? My fear is sweeping up sand when I clean the bottom of the tank. Not sure if its a illegitimate fear or not

I've found that sand is easier to clean than gravel. It doesn't get as dirty- you can basically suck the poo/etc off the top of it instead of digging around in it like you would with gravel.

The main difference with sand is it requires a bit more washing before you put it in the tank to get dust out of it.
Otherwise I really prefer sand. I've found it looks more natural and is way easier to clean.

 

Thanks everyone!! Maybe I will buy sand.. Still wondering if I should get live plants

 

Thanks everyone!! Maybe I will buy sand.. Still wondering if I should get live plants

Anubias and Java Fern are both good beginner plants if you decide to try it

And you can never go wrong with a moss ball!

 

Great ideas.. ThAnks!! Maybe I'll get the anubias plant and Ecocomplete sand ( since it seems better suited for plants)

 

If going with a Pleco, I have 2 suggestions. First, I personally never had luck feeding them the "algae wafers". They never ate them. So wait until your tank has algae growth before adding the Pleco.

Second, there are different species that grow to very different lengths. Be sure to get a small one. The last thing you want to deal with is how to handle your 18" Pleco a few years from now.

For tank size, get the biggest you think you can handle. Offers far more flexibility in the future for changes (and there will be changes).

 

Great ideas.. ThAnks!! Maybe I'll get the anubias plant and Ecocomplete sand ( since it seems better suited for plants)

No need for special substrate unless you're going to fully get into it. Root tabs do wonders for a lot of people, but Anubias feeds from the water column, not the roots.

I think researching plants a bit would help in deciding how to setup and how far you want to go with them. Plants grow slowly in most low tech setups