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44 Posts
I am thinking of getting back into the hobby after decades.
Was torn between a planted tank and a marine tank, but after watching some videos, I realized a cycled planted tank is close to self sustaining while a marine tank requires a chemical factory for support. Beside, planted aquariums look nicer than corals.
I would go with a 10 gal or a 20 gal.
What I would like to plant:
java moss
dwarf hair grass
baby dwarf tears
Hornwort/Wisteria in back
Soil would be Miracle Gro Potted with an addition
of some sand in the center of the tank. I hate gravel.
NO CO2, but I might insert an air bubble wand.
If I go with a 10 Gal
I would get an Aqueon 20 filter (a pit over powered)
6 neons (Even that is low # for neons)
3 RCS
3 dwarf gourami (added only after RCS have bred)
1 Oto (They say they shoal, but apparently, they can be solitary, too)
I know that slightly over stocked, but not by much
The idea is to breed the dwarf gouramis since there is always a need for females. I know this is a very long shot.
But Otos would not bother the Gourami eggs, neither would the neons.
Trade the DG kinder with a local LFS for supplies. Does petco trade?
I am trying to bring the tank and fish under $300
How much light would I need.
==============
If I go to 20 Gallon
Plants would be same filter would be booted up to Aqueon 30
Fish would be
10 neons. (Now, they won't be so neurotic)
3 RCS
3 dwarf gourami (added only after RCS have bred)
3 Oto
I want the dwarf hair grass to hide the shimp and fry ( I am thinking the dwarf gourami might breed I know this is a very long shot.
-------------------------------
The idea is that the RCS would breed but the gouramis would keep them in check.
How much light would I need. I know baby tears is high light.
Can I get a fixture for under $50?
Should I go with a glass or seaclear 20 acrylic.
Acrylic has the advantage of being almost leakproof, but I hate how they have to have small openings on top, because acrylic has NO structural strength.
Will acrylic degrade under heavy light.
I am scared of leaks.
I was thinking of buying LED strips from lowes, but can you place them right on top of acrylic.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
If I go with glass, can you place LED on top of glass covers.
If I go with a sea clear 20, is there I bulb I could put in it to get the same effect.
I do not have the tools to DIY.
I prefer LEDS, because I do not want the mercury of flourescent bulbs.
If I go with a SeaClear 20, I might have to reconsider adding another $100 to the setup costs.
BTW: How common are aquarium leaks in store bought Aquariums.
While not perfect, is it reasonably safe to just assume a store bought aquarium is not going to leak.
If I leak test it, and drain it the next day, before adding soil, can I rub it down with a towel.
Are aqueons good filters? Yes or no?
I am thinking of getting a basic 20 gallon from Walmart but I am scared of their quality. Is there any store where the tanks can ALMOST be assured not to leak.
BTW: I was thinking of a fluval edge acrylic, but the thing looks horrid. I do not like the closed top. How would you clean algae?
So the basic first questions are:
1) Acrylic or glass. Which is safer? Does acrylic degrade under light?
2) Lighting. Is there anyway I can grown dwarf baby tears with lighting under $50 without a DIY
3) Are Aqueon filters good?
4) Is there a wholesale place near Ocean or Monmouth Counties in New Jersey so I can lower my cost.
5) If I buy this set up, are there companies which could manage it, when I am away on vacation?
NO C02 except maybe I would added a small bubble wand/airstone with a $10 air pump. I trust regular air would add some C02.
Was torn between a planted tank and a marine tank, but after watching some videos, I realized a cycled planted tank is close to self sustaining while a marine tank requires a chemical factory for support. Beside, planted aquariums look nicer than corals.
I would go with a 10 gal or a 20 gal.
What I would like to plant:
java moss
dwarf hair grass
baby dwarf tears
Hornwort/Wisteria in back
Soil would be Miracle Gro Potted with an addition
of some sand in the center of the tank. I hate gravel.
NO CO2, but I might insert an air bubble wand.
If I go with a 10 Gal
I would get an Aqueon 20 filter (a pit over powered)
6 neons (Even that is low # for neons)
3 RCS
3 dwarf gourami (added only after RCS have bred)
1 Oto (They say they shoal, but apparently, they can be solitary, too)
I know that slightly over stocked, but not by much
The idea is to breed the dwarf gouramis since there is always a need for females. I know this is a very long shot.
But Otos would not bother the Gourami eggs, neither would the neons.
Trade the DG kinder with a local LFS for supplies. Does petco trade?
I am trying to bring the tank and fish under $300
How much light would I need.
==============
If I go to 20 Gallon
Plants would be same filter would be booted up to Aqueon 30
Fish would be
10 neons. (Now, they won't be so neurotic)
3 RCS
3 dwarf gourami (added only after RCS have bred)
3 Oto
I want the dwarf hair grass to hide the shimp and fry ( I am thinking the dwarf gourami might breed I know this is a very long shot.
-------------------------------
The idea is that the RCS would breed but the gouramis would keep them in check.
How much light would I need. I know baby tears is high light.
Can I get a fixture for under $50?
Should I go with a glass or seaclear 20 acrylic.
Acrylic has the advantage of being almost leakproof, but I hate how they have to have small openings on top, because acrylic has NO structural strength.
Will acrylic degrade under heavy light.
I am scared of leaks.
I was thinking of buying LED strips from lowes, but can you place them right on top of acrylic.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
If I go with glass, can you place LED on top of glass covers.
If I go with a sea clear 20, is there I bulb I could put in it to get the same effect.
I do not have the tools to DIY.
I prefer LEDS, because I do not want the mercury of flourescent bulbs.
If I go with a SeaClear 20, I might have to reconsider adding another $100 to the setup costs.
BTW: How common are aquarium leaks in store bought Aquariums.
While not perfect, is it reasonably safe to just assume a store bought aquarium is not going to leak.
If I leak test it, and drain it the next day, before adding soil, can I rub it down with a towel.
Are aqueons good filters? Yes or no?
I am thinking of getting a basic 20 gallon from Walmart but I am scared of their quality. Is there any store where the tanks can ALMOST be assured not to leak.
BTW: I was thinking of a fluval edge acrylic, but the thing looks horrid. I do not like the closed top. How would you clean algae?
So the basic first questions are:
1) Acrylic or glass. Which is safer? Does acrylic degrade under light?
2) Lighting. Is there anyway I can grown dwarf baby tears with lighting under $50 without a DIY
3) Are Aqueon filters good?
4) Is there a wholesale place near Ocean or Monmouth Counties in New Jersey so I can lower my cost.
5) If I buy this set up, are there companies which could manage it, when I am away on vacation?
NO C02 except maybe I would added a small bubble wand/airstone with a $10 air pump. I trust regular air would add some C02.