4 quick questions....

[logan89]

Ok I have 4 questions, the first of which is:

1. Approx. how many gallons is a 48x21x13 tank?)

2. How many pounds of sand would I need to get about 1 1/4" of sand in the tank listed in question #1?

3. What do I need to do BEFORE I put water in my tank?

4. Is there a harmful disadvantage to using fake plants?


Thanks.

 

[Tolak]

1.) Sounds like a 55 gallon to me if the footprint is 48"x13".

2.) If the footprint is 48"x13", you would need 50 to 60 pounds of gravel, sand may compact a little more, so you may need more.

3.) If you go with sand, it has to be rinsed thoroughly, then rinsed some more. I hear a pillowcase is good for this, never used sand before. Give this link a good reading; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=58

4.) All my plants are silk, with a few plastic. I have more fish than I can count, they all do fine.

Tolak

 

[tttnjfttt]

1. Approx. how many gallons is a 48x21x13 tank? - What are the units that you are measuring? People on here are from all over the world, so some units are generally helpful. If it is in inches, the tank is about 55 US gal.

2. How many pounds of sand would I need to get about 1 1/4" of sand in the tank listed in question #1? Uhhh...well, I used about 1/3 of a 50 lbs bag on my 20 gal if that helps.


3. What do I need to do BEFORE I put water in my tank? You need to know your future fish's needs - its habitat, diet, size, etc. You also need to know about cycling a tank, the nitrogen cycle, general tank mantinence, and i'm sure other things I'm not thinking of at the time

4. Is there a harmful disadvantage to using fake plants? Some plastic plants can tear long finned fish's fins. Say that one ten times fast...long finned fish's fins. I have never had trouble with this, but I know some people had trouble with guppies and plastic plants. They make nylon plants which I have never heard of anyone having trouble with.

 

[logan89]

I'm using the U.S standard system of measurment (gal, inches, feet, etc.).

Ok, thanks for the info guys, you answered my questions well.

I guess i'm going to start researching what fish I want to stock my tank with.

Anyone know of any good RELIABLE online fish stores? I don't have a LOCAL fish store, and the one I do have has rediculously priced everything in the place, and is like 45min away..

Thanks again.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I have never bought fish off the internet, but when I was looking around, I noticed the prices for shipping are reallllllly high, like around of $20 dollars per box.

All of my fish are from 45 minutes away, and I am probably going to be looking for a new LFS (for plants and fish), which will have to be a minimum of an hour and a half away. Remember, when you buy fish over the internet, they are bagged for 24 hours plus, compared to driving for an hour or more.

 

[logan89]

True, but I was talking more for hardware.

HOWEVER, if anyone here has ever bought a fish off the internet, let me know how that went.

I don't mind the drive, it's just I don't ever have time or a ride, (my parents took my license for a month...) and generally whoever is giving me a ride DOES mind...but I can make due.

 

[tttnjfttt]

For hardware, check out www.bigalsonline.com. They have low prices and other members have said they are reliable. The one down side is I like to see all the products in person before buying anything.

For hardware, I've found some really good deals at walmart. They have pretty cheap starter kits that are actually pretty decent. I've also bought other odds and ends there, but never fish.

 

[rdd1952]

True, but I was talking more for hardware.

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I have found both Petsolutions & Big Als to have good prices and service too.

 

[tdiii]

For filters, heaters, etc www.petsmart.com is pretty decent and quite a bit cheaper that going to my local petsmart store. Sometimes they have good deals on shipping. You could try www.liveaquaria.com for buying fish online. I've never done it before and the shipping is a bear but it might be better than walmart fish.

Oh and not having your drivers license for a month will give you plenty of time to get your tank setup and a good start on a fishless cycle. I started working on my aquarium the first part of June and I just started to add fish.

 

[mandi]

For hardware I'd suggest Big Als (as others mentioned), That Pet Place, and Drs. Foster & Smith -- for whatever I'm buying I usually check all 3 before I order (depending on the item and the shipping weight, sometimes one is a better deal over the other, but all 3 are great).

I've ordered lots of bettas online, as well as 8 honey gouramis, and I haven't had a DOA yet. Just be sure to check the feedback of the person you're buying from (if you're on a site like Aquabid)