What Is The Best Heater, Filter And Lighting For A 29gal Tank?

Hello everyone! Last week I got my first ever big tank, a lovely 29 gallon long tank. I have some fishkeeping experience, mostly with bettas and smaller tanks. I’ve been researching equipment but I keep finding conflicting information, so I thought I’d ask and hear from others experience. I need to buy the full setup for this tank, a heater, filter, hood, light, and substrate. What wattage is best for this tank size? Most people say 100 watt is fine but some people say 150. Can anyone recommend reliable heater and filter brands? I also really need a good hood for this this tank, but it’s a homemade tank with unusual dimensions, so I can’t find a lid that’s the right size. Does anyone know of a good lid that I could order and cut to the correct size? I was planning on buying an AquaTech 20-40 HOB power filter, but does anyone’s know of something better I should be using? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!

 

Fluval AQ is the best HOB filter in IMO. I have 8 all "hot rodded out" with additonal sponges, bio-media, and intake sponges as well. AQ is great for customizability. Hmmm, an "odd" tank size may require a custom made or DIY lid. I have a 150 watt Eheim on my 30 gal. They're kinda long, but are very very good.

 

For me, I oversize my heaters and put in a second one as a failsafe. So in my 55G I have 2 x 300W Aqua One heaters, and in my wife's 23G we have 2 x 150W Aqua One heaters (could have gotten away with 100W ones but the price difference was negligible).

Your substrate is dependent on your fish. Different fish like different material. You can get clear (opaque) corflute if you need something cheap to over the tank, also makes it really easy to cut around the HOB filter. I have no experience with HOBs running an integrated filter (AR980 tank) or a Marina i160 all-in-one internal.

-G

 

Fluval AQ is the best HOB filter in IMO. I have 8 all "hot rodded out" with additonal sponges, bio-media, and intake sponges as well. AQ is great for customizability. Hmmm, an "odd" tank size may require a custom made or DIY lid. I have a 150 watt Eheim on my 30 gal. They're kinda long, but are very very good.

Thanks, I’ll look at these! I saw one idea online that you could put Saran Wrap over the top of your tank to help with evaporation and keeping heat in. Our house is very cold and with an HOB filter, the water tends to evaporate quickly and get cold fast in my 5gal tank. That tank is uncovered and I get very tired of adding a ton of warm water every day. Would this Saran Wrap idea be safe do you think? Obviously I would make sure there were some holes in it so they’re getting plenty of oxygen

For me, I oversize my heaters and put in a second one as a failsafe. So in my 55G I have 2 x 300W Aqua One heaters, and in my wife's 23G we have 2 x 150W Aqua One heaters (could have gotten away with 100W ones but the price difference was negligible).

Your substrate is dependent on your fish. Different fish like different material. You can get clear (opaque) corflute if you need something cheap to over the tank, also makes it really easy to cut around the HOB filter. I have no experience with HOBs running an integrated filter (AR980 tank) or a Marina i160 all-in-one internal.

-G

Thank you for the tip! I was thinking of possibly keeping some angelfish, would gravel be fine? I’m planning on making this a planted tank. Thank you so much for that idea I’ll try that!

 

I have gravel and planted. You can see it in the Tanks section. Never had angelfish.

-G