Need Major Helping, Setting Up A 10g Tank.

[Trax416]

I have been reading a lot the past week or so. Many hours a day. I have learned quite a bit and still soaking up knowledge. I decided on a 10G for now due to space issues. Once I buy some new furniture, and mount of a few things, I will be upgrading to probably a 30G or bigger, but for about a year I am going to be using a 10G. I am clear on cycling, what type of water conditioner to use and most of the parts. However, I am still unclear on a few things.

Here is what I have on my list to buy so far so I can start the cycle and get the tank up and running before buying fish.

Tetra AQUASAFE water conditioner
10 gallon Tank
10 Gallon Tank stand
Canopy for the tank with light fixture
Fluorescent light bulb for the fixture
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit
Coralife Battery Operated Digital Thermometer
Marineland Penguin 100B Power Filter
Aqueon Heater - 50 Watt
Python cleaning system 25ft
Silk Plants, gravel, background, hiding spots(from various Aquarium decorations).

I was wondering if I as missing anything. Also, will I need an airpump for a 10g tank? If So, I am still slightly unclear on how they work. Do I buy the pump, hosing, and air stone separate then put them together? Or do they come in kits.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

I have been reading a lot the past week or so. Many hours a day. I have learned quite a bit and still soaking up knowledge. I decided on a 10G for now due to space issues. Once I buy some new furnitare, and mount of a few things, I will be upgrading to probably a 30G or bigger, but for about a year I am going to be using a 10G. I am clear on cycling, what type of water conditioner to use and most of the parts. However, I am still unclear on a few things.

I know I need a heater, filter and an airpump, however when I look into buying some online, there are so many, so many options, valves, tubes, pumps. Different types of filters like internal, sponge, canister. Different types of ends for the air pump. I am pretty confused.

I am going to be ordering online for everything except the tank, stand and fish (when the cycle is done). The site I will be using is www.bigalsonline.ca

I was wondering if some of the more experienced members can point me in the right direction on what type of filter, airpump (and different types) to use. Also, if you were going to create an ideal 10G set up, what stuff from that site or anyone I can get in the GTA would you use? Money is not that big of an issue, but looking to keep it under $300 for the 10g.
etter
Thanks for any help.

I would go to your LFS, and look at the 10 gallons there, most are all inclusive especially a 10 gallon (heater, filter and lightning). Im sure as a 10gallon you will only have community live bearers and nohthing as extravagant or messy as a oscar, just my guess so you wont have to have such complex filtration but if you do want a better filter, i think the going rate is 5x the gallonage which would be 50 GPH, which would be more then enough for a 10gallon my guess anyways correct me if im wrong......as i usually am GL

 

[Trax416]

I updated my original post, so any help would be great.

 

[Trax416]

I have been reading a lot the past week or so. Many hours a day. I have learned quite a bit and still soaking up knowledge. I decided on a 10G for now due to space issues. Once I buy some new furnitare, and mount of a few things, I will be upgrading to probably a 30G or bigger, but for about a year I am going to be using a 10G. I am clear on cycling, what type of water conditioner to use and most of the parts. However, I am still unclear on a few things.

I know I need a heater, filter and an airpump, however when I look into buying some online, there are so many, so many options, valves, tubes, pumps. Different types of filters like internal, sponge, canister. Different types of ends for the air pump. I am pretty confused.

I am going to be ordering online for everything except the tank, stand and fish (when the cycle is done). The site I will be using is www.bigalsonline.ca

I was wondering if some of the more experienced members can point me in the right direction on what type of filter, airpump (and different types) to use. Also, if you were going to create an ideal 10G set up, what stuff from that site or anyone I can get in the GTA would you use? Money is not that big of an issue, but looking to keep it under $300 for the 10g.
etter
Thanks for any help.

I would go to your LFS, and look at the 10 gallons there, most are all inclusive especially a 10 gallon (heater, filter and lightning). Im sure as a 10gallon you will only have community live bearers and nohthing as extravagant or messy as a oscar, just my guess so you wont have to have such complex filtration but if you do want a better filter, i think the going rate is 5x the gallonage which would be 50 GPH, which would be more then enough for a 10gallon my guess anyways correct me if im wrong......as i usually am GL

I am trying to stay away from 10g package deals from the store. Sadly from what I am told by a friend, they make up package deals using products they simply can't sell normally due to them not being that great.

 

[rabbut]

Some package deals are sub-standord. Most aren't. If you buy a package that the LFS has put togeter, research the products being included. Any reputable brand as far as I am aware should be a good buy

I don't think that an air pump would be needed with a biowheel, as these usualy caurse good surface agitation, and thus good gas exchange There is also gas excahnged within the unit itself.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[waterdrop]

Well RD does say that running an airstone just during fishless cycling will help provide enough oxygen for the bacteria. I'm doing that right now, running a couple airstones and keeping the temp up near 90F.

 

[Trax416]

Well RD does say that running an airstone just during fishless cycling will help provide enough oxygen for the bacteria. I'm doing that right now, running a couple airstones and keeping the temp up near 90F.

Thats one of the things I was wondering, if I even needed it in a 10G. Also, if I do, what do I need to make an "air stone".

 

[Trax416]

Just trying to keep everything in one thread and not clog up the forum.

I have a question on thermometers. What thermometer do you guys suggest? Do they stay inside the tank all the time, or do you only cheap up on the temperature once a day by dipping it in the water?

 

[rabbut]

An air stone is not nessisary, but if you want one, they can be purchased at an LFS There are no airations kits with everything included, so you will need to buy the pump, air line, one way valve and air stone (possible a valve to control flow). Buy pumps based on the size of air stone they will run, not the size tank that they are suited for.

I use stick on glass thermomiters for inside the tank, where they stay the whole time.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[BlackSwords11]

I was wondering if I as missing anything. Also, will I need an airpump for a 10g tank? If So, I am still slightly unclear on how they work. Do I buy the pump, hosing, and air stone separate then put them together? Or do they come in kits.

You can have an air pump. But, the filter gives off enough oxygen in the first place, so you shouldn't have a problem. I don't think they have "kits" but it isn't that expensive anyway.

 

[andrew84uk]

Your setup and kit is perfect. If you are going to do a fishless cycle then you would need a bottle of ammonia. This can be bought at DIY store. An airstone is not needed but is a nice feature to have. It can add oxogen to the water though, which can help fish.

 

[Trax416]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. Really appreciated.

I decided to get a 30G tank instead, so I was wondering if an air stone is now pretty much mandatory.

 

[abzorbd]

If you're still going with the Hong on the back filter from marineland then you don't need an airstone. As long as it's rated for that size tank or larger. I have a 55gal with two marinelands running on it and I don't have an airstone. However, if you decide to buy an airpump they usually come with the one way valve included (where I'm at) so you would only need to buy the pump, tubing and a stone.

 

[waterdrop]

An air stone is not nessisary, but if you want one, they can be purchased at an LFS There are no airations kits with everything included, so you will need to buy the pump, air line, one way valve and air stone (possible a valve to control flow). Buy pumps based on the size of air stone they will run, not the size tank that they are suited for.

I use stick on glass thermomiters for inside the tank, where they stay the whole time.

HTH
Rabbut

Hey rabbut, Could you explain what you mean about basing the pump size on the size of the airstones? Sounds interesting...