kassidi
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Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 1, 2009 19:48:33 GMT -5
Okay, we just went on a shopping trip and this is all the stuff I got for my new 55 gallon aquarium. I'm so excited!!! Here's the list: -HOB Aqua Clear Power Filter 70 - for 40 to 70 gal. aquariums, "Quietly filters 300 GPH, Formerly Aquaclear300" +Activated Carbon for later (I plan on adding a sponge filter in the future) -Marineland Shatter Proof Heater - Fully Submersible, 250 watt up to 75 gal. "Guaranteed for Life" -Aquarium Temp. Alert, Digital Thermometer -Air Pump Top Fin XP-10 (Dad said it would be good enough...) +2 Way plastic Gang Valve +28" Bubble Wall for the 55 Gallon +14" Bubble Wall for the 10 Gallon +25' Airline tubing -Melafix (for the Neon Tetra issue) -Aqueon Water Conditioner -Cycle - Reduces Fish Loss -Aquarium Salt Decorations and such: -4 25lb Black Gravel bags -2 Bleheri (plants) -1 Assorted plant = Dracaena, Spathiphyllum, Ophiopogon, Trichomanes, Syngonium. -3 Pieces of Drift Wood, that have plants growing in them And of course a couple buckets I ended up spending about $300... Anything else I would need, or should take back? lol Any tips on anything, or any input is appreciated Thanks for all your help guys
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 1, 2009 20:05:52 GMT -5
watch the driftwood - if it's mopani it'll really lower your pH
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kassidi
Junior Member
Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 1, 2009 20:23:14 GMT -5
okay thats good to know, thanks
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 1, 2009 23:01:26 GMT -5
especially in the 10 gallon if you put any in there! almost turned mine into acid! be sure and soak it for a few days in a 5 gallon bucket and rinse the water twice a day!
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 1, 2009 23:07:11 GMT -5
is the dritwood mopani? is it African? it will work well in a SA if it doesn't lower the pH too much - depends on your selection of fish - just like rocks! I learned the hard way on that one too
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kassidi
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Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 2, 2009 0:12:51 GMT -5
Well I don't know what type of driftwood is, but I'm setting up my 55 gallon tomorrow, so I'll have everything in there, and hopefully get it started. That way it can cycle, and I can check the levels and stuff. I got it from the pet store, and it was already in an aquarium, and its soaking in a bucket right now, so hopefully it will do fine. I got driftwood from the same place for my 10 gallon, and it didn't change anything. On another note, I added the bubble wall to my 10 gallon, and it looks nice. It's really pretty I'm not sure that the fish like it though. They act the same, but I kicked up a lot of stuff from the gravel when I was trying to get it situated. I was thinking that its about the same as a jetted tub, and it's probably loud for them. I don't know if I should leave it or what. I tried to put the two way on there so I could control the ammount of bubbles, but the pump didn't have enough pressure, so I think I'll go trade the pump for something with a little more power.
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Post by eve on Jan 2, 2009 0:16:46 GMT -5
your fish won't be disturbed by the bubblewand at all
i have one in my 55 gallon tank installed just about 1/2 inch above the gravel doesn't throw up anything from the ground, and the fish don't even seem to notice it
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kassidi
Junior Member
Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 2, 2009 0:33:25 GMT -5
Okay good deal! Thanks so much
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Post by eve on Jan 2, 2009 0:35:54 GMT -5
Okay good deal! Thanks so much you're very welcome
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jan 2, 2009 12:47:49 GMT -5
my only concern is the 28" bubble wall....that could over oxygenate....does the hose have a control valve????if it does...turn the wall down a lil
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kassidi
Junior Member
Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 2, 2009 13:05:06 GMT -5
well i tried to turn down the bubble flow, but the pump doesnt have enough power to use the connecter I bought, so I'll either have to get a new pump, or make the bubble wall smaller?
Could I just turn it on for a little while during the day, or would that defeat the purpose?
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Post by Carl on Jan 2, 2009 13:23:23 GMT -5
Good Shopping Job! A few thoughts on two items: *Cycle is basically Heterotrophic Bacteria, which are reasonable at decomposing of waste, but do not establish proper Autotrophic nitrifying bacterial colonies and the use of in tank that is not fully cycled could actually slow the establishment of the correct bacteria, so I recommend its use only in established aquariums or new aquariums where the ammmonia/nitrites are high with fish present so as to aid in lower some decomposing wastes. Generally though it is a product I do not use. See this article: The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle*Salt is a good item to have on hand, but do not forget that Calcium, and other minerals/electrolytes are often more important as these are often not present in aquariums proper amounts. See these articles: The importance of Calcium, GH, KH, pHAquarium Answers; Salt in Freshwater aquariumsCarl
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kassidi
Junior Member
Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 4, 2009 15:22:47 GMT -5
Okay, I just put my aquairum together and everything, and the HOB filter I got is freakin huge, and so I think I'm going to get a sponge filter, do I need more than one filter to get a Sponge Filter? I want to get this package:
Filter Kit #5B (For 30-60 Gallon Aquariums). Includes: Via Aqua 480 Pump, Hydro Sponge 5 PRO Filter (higher flow rates!), and Jungle Start Right Water Conditioner.ONLY $24.99
Is that going to be good enough for my 55 gallon without any other type of filtration?
I also wanted to get an airstone to go with it...
Thanks
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 4, 2009 15:54:33 GMT -5
if I'm not mistaken you will not need an airstone if you but the hyrdo sponge pro 5 filter - it comes w/ a 1" diameter tube that air comes up - will probably kill the need for your bibble wall as well - believe that's the filter I have for my pond - rated at 125 gallond I beleive....
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Post by Carl on Jan 4, 2009 17:38:10 GMT -5
The #5 Sponge Filter Kit uses a power head (VA 480), so this does not need an air pump. The VA 480 comes with an air difuser that allows it to inject air as water is propelled out the nozzle (this feature is common to most power heads, not just the Via Aqua models) An additonal bubble wall can still be added, but as murdock noted, this may not be necessary with the above filter. Another thought is to purchase the Filter Kit #3 Twin which includes a twin pump and two smaller #3 Sponge Filters. The advantage here is that you would then have a second Sponge filter that could also be used for seed should you start another tank or you could simply set aside the extra Sponge filter and use the extra outlet to power a bubble wall. Admittedly the #5 PRO is larger filter, however with your HOB filter and a #3 filter, this is still a good combination, especially is you use two #3 Sponge Filters. Finally one more thought is to purchase the #5 PRO Sponge Filter separately and puchase an air pump such as the Million Air 600 Twin Pump so as to run the #5 Filter AND a bubble wall. Carl
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 4, 2009 17:57:10 GMT -5
Finally one more thought is to purchase the #5 PRO Sponge Filter separately and puchase an air pump such as the Million Air 600 Twin Pump so as to run the #5 Filter AND a bubble wall.
I guess that's what I was trying to say
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kassidi
Junior Member
Begining Fishkeeper
Posts: 49
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Post by kassidi on Jan 4, 2009 18:57:10 GMT -5
Well I just took the HOB filter back because I didn't like how it made my tank sit so far away from the wall. (my dad wants to screw the stand into the wall because he thinks it will fall over)
I think what I'll do is just get the #5 PRO package, and forget about the Bubble Wall all together if I don't need a bubble wall with the #5 PRO Package.
Is it okay to have just the 1 sponge filter and no other kind of filtration? If not, what kind of filter would you recommend (that isn't a HOB)
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Post by murdock6701 on Jan 4, 2009 19:11:17 GMT -5
sounds to me like you gonna do just fine! keep up the good work - you've asked a lot of good questions and gotten a lot of good answers
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Post by Carl on Jan 4, 2009 19:50:29 GMT -5
Is it okay to have just the 1 sponge filter and no other kind of filtration? If not, what kind of filter would you recommend (that isn't a HOB) As murdock said you are asking good questions! I generally recommend redundancy, and it is interesting that you ask the question about the HOB in the way you did, as the hobby is really stuck on the idea of HOB Filters, while the internal wet/dry filter that is similar yet superior to HOB filters in versatility (such as the ability to add a UV Sterilizer) as well generally superior bio filtration goes unnoticed Here is a listing for Internal Wet/Dry: ReSun BF 200 Internal wet/dry Bio FilterThere is a table comparing these two types of filters in the wet/dry section of this article: Aquarium FiltrationCarl
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Post by eve on Jan 4, 2009 22:41:07 GMT -5
Well I just took the HOB filter back because I didn't like how it made my tank sit so far away from the wall. (my dad wants to screw the stand into the wall because he thinks it will fall over) i actually did mount my stand to the wall however, i'm also in an earthquake area, so it's more natural doing so here
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