Recommendations For Beginner With New 75 Gallon Tank

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Do you think it is the aquatic life they are worried about when they say that? or are they worried about it getting into our drinking water?

If it is really truly dangerous to aquatic life, I don't understand why my fish have lived with it for over 4 years and made thousands of healthy babies with it in their water.

 

I might use PFS. I read some reviews that Caribsea stopped selling their Tahitian moon sand because of contamination.

I have pool filter sand in my one aquarium. I do like it, it takes a little bit of rinsing, but it looks nice when it's in!!

 

Do you think it is the aquatic life they are worried about when they say that? or are they worried about it getting into our drinking water?

If it is really truly dangerous to aquatic life, I don't understand why my fish have lived with it for over 4 years and made thousands of healthy babies with it in their water.

Black Diamond's website in the FAQ:

Our abrasive products are recycled and even meet drinking water standards.

 

Black Diamond's website in the FAQ:

Our abrasive products are recycled and even meet drinking water standards.

Maybe black diamond brand isn't as bad as the black beauty brand that momgoose linked for us? Most people use the black diamond brand.

 

Seems like it is something not everyone will agree on. I am not concluding it is safe or not safe. It's up to an individual to decide. I like the look of a black substrate.

 

Momgoose56 , I only posted what the SDS said was in BDBS.

I never said to use it, or not to use it.

I agree with the OP's last post.

 

I'd forget HOB and this awesome only 90 bucks.

 

Seems like it is something not everyone will agree on. I am not concluding it is safe or not safe. It's up to an individual to decide. I like the look of a black substrate.

I meant I like the look of a black substrate and have not decided what I will do, but will consider PFS. Before learning about sand (pros and price), I was interested in black aquarium gravel.

 

To expedite your fishless cyle, I recommend two products: , and . I struggled to develop Nitrite-to-Nitrate, beneficial bacteria for two months until I started using the bacteria product. I would also have the heater cranked to around 80*F or higher to help the process. I currently have an AquaClear 30 filter on a 20 gallon tank in my son's room, and if you raise the water level enough, the trickle sound is almost nonexistent. However, if sound is not an issue, I would recommend going with a filter, or two smaller Marineland Emporer/Penguin filters. I believe that the 'bio-wheels' in these filters are far superior for culturing and keeping beneficial bacteria than anything else on the market. Good luck with the tank!

 

I have pool filter sand in my one aquarium. I do like it, it takes a little bit of rinsing, but it looks nice when it's in!!

My only gripe with pfs is the potential of silica being leached into the tank. Which is also bad for fish, not so much to us, but the fish

 

Maybe black diamond brand isn't as bad as the black beauty brand that momgoose linked for us? Most people use the black diamond brand.

Coal slag is coal slag. It all comes from the molten waste produced by burning coal at very high temperatures.
I just know, from first hand experience with people who used or were exposed to "safe" products that eventually killed or caused permanent damage to them, from years of activism trying to get lead and mercury legislation passed so it's not being dumped in landfills and waterways etc. the damage that 'safe' products can cause because of inadequate public education, inadequate risk disclosure, unethical/illegal manufacturing and disposal practices and outright suppression of information about risk. I just hope all the coal slag people are using in their tanks doesn't end up being more toxic to humans than has been discovered (or disclosed) so far.

 

My only gripe with pfs is the potential of silica being leached into the tank. Which is also bad for fish, not so much to us, but the fish

What do you use?

 

My only gripe with pfs is the potential of silica being leached into the tank. Which is also bad for fish, not so much to us, but the fish

Silica is just micronized quartz. Silica sand is actually probably safer for your fish than coal slag.

 

Coal slag is coal slag. It all comes from the molten waste produced by burning coal at very high temperatures.
I just know, from first hand experience with people who used or were exposed to "safe" products that eventually killed or caused permanent damage to them, from years of activism trying to get lead and mercury legislation passed so it's not being dumped in landfills and waterways etc. the damage that 'safe' products can cause because of inadequate public education, inadequate risk disclosure, unethical/illegal manufacturing and disposal practices and outright suppression of information about risk. I just hope all the coal slag people are using in their tanks doesn't end up being more toxic to humans than has been discovered (or disclosed) so far.

Ya....I've washed a lot of that stuff with my bare hands. Maybe even splashed water in my face in the process. And then all the water changes. I sure hope I haven't caused long term health issues for myself! The fish seem fine though. Breeding away and flourishing.

 

Wow what an active thread...I think I read all of the comments. So here I go...

For substrate you could mix and match. Part sand and part gravel. From what I read most people recommend capping your soil with gravel because it allow air to get to the soil . Also you could use Mexican potting clay to be you substrate divider. The Mexican potting clay also provide iron for your plants.

Above is a 3 part video on setting up a tank with soil, gravel and sand. It's also a setup for a sorority betta tank. It's good for inspiration. So I highly recommend you watching it.

The filter depends on how big a bio load you plan to have. HOB is fine if you plan to follow the 1 inch per gallon rule. If you plan to have more fish than a canister is better. It's quiet and you can put way more bio media in it.

If you want to have plants and don't want a CO2 system you could use liquid CO2. I got a 2 litter bottle of Seachem Flourish for $25 (currently 35) at Amazon. This would last a year in a 75 gallon tank.

You could also check your local stone store or landscaping store for stones to decorate your tank. However you need to make sure the stones you like are not going to alter your water parameters.

Anyways if you want to play it safe you could just buy everything from an aquarium store. But if you do your research you could get some really unique and save a lot of money.

Finally Petco and PetSmart sell their stuff cheaper on their website. However they do price match each other's online prices. So download their apps and browse for items you want. For example I got API General Cure for $12 when they charge $20 at the store.

If you live in Maryland, House Tropical has 6 aisles of 30 tanks worth of fish and a huge selection of live plants.

Ok I better stop now. Good luck and have fun setting up your tank!

 

What do you use?

Just the classic colorful gravel, but on one tank I have black crushed coral from caribsea just because it alters the water the way I need it to

 

kathy7878 I have a stocking list for you
20-30x harlequin rasbora
1x redtail shark or rainbow shark
10-15x corydoras catfish or 4-5 pictus catfish
2x bn, or clown pleco or 1x gold spot pleco or marble pleco
Then a few centerpiece fish

Thinking ahead, which of those would be good to place first in the tank after cycling it?

 

Probably the rasboras, then the catfish, then pleco(s), shark, centerpiece. That's the order I'd go in

 

Ya....I've washed a lot of that stuff with my bare hands. Maybe even splashed water in my face in the process. And then all the water changes. I sure hope I haven't caused long term health issues for myself! The fish seem fine though. Breeding away and flourishing.

At least 4 years.

I opened the Black Diamond bag I purchased to check it out and found unusual stuff in it. I also ran a magnet over it and some of it stuck to the magnet.

Have you ever seen this? You can see I separated some of the stuff towards the bottom of my hand in the picture.

 

I opened the Black Diamond bag I purchased to check it out and found unusual stuff in it. I also ran a magnetic over it and some of it stuck to the magnet.

Have you ever seen this? You can see I separated some of the stuff towards the bottom of my hand in the picture.

Nasty stuff...

 

I finally got started yesterday and began cycling the new tank. Thank you everyone for your help. Now I am shopping for decorations like driftwood and rocks.

 

So what fish did you decide on?

 

I finally got started yesterday and began cycling the new tank. Thank you everyone for your help. Now I am shopping for decorations like driftwood and rocks.

Take pictures or time-lapse it's fun to look back at it!

 

Do you think it is the aquatic life they are worried about when they say that? or are they worried about it getting into our drinking water?

If it is really truly dangerous to aquatic life, I don't understand why my fish have lived with it for over 4 years and made thousands of healthy babies with it in their water.

Well, if it's not safe for drinking, I wouldn't want my fish swimming in it!
@bizliz