New To Fish, Researching Before Diving In!

[orangegecko]

Hi!  I am new to the hobby and looking to start after I gather some info...
 
I am looking to get a 46 gallon bow front (to put community fish in it) and am trying to find out what equipment to go with.  The tank is a Marineland® Euro Aquarium, LED Light in case you were wondering!
 
So here is some of the equipment I was looking at...
 
Filter:
I have been scoping the Aqueon power filters and was wondering if I should go to the next size up.  I heard (correct me if it's wrong) that you want at least 5 water changes per hour for the tank which would be 230 gallons.  The two models I was looking at were, 200/50 or 300/70.
 
Heater:
I have been looking at the Fluval M series submersible glass heater 150W (don't plan on completely submersing it).
 
Gravel / Sand:
I want to do sand for my tank.  Are there any recommendations on certain brands or types?  What might be some reasons not to go with sand?
 
Lighting:
The tank comes with LED lighting but am unsure if it would be able to support live plants which I would like a few of.  (haven't gotten that far yet)
 
Any information or suggestions appreciated! 

 

[KittyKat]

What are the dimensions of the tank? These are much more important for stocking than volume (volume is important for dosing additives such as dechlorinator and medications).
 
I'm guessing you mean turnover, not water changes? Freshwater tanks do well with anywhere from 2×-15× turnover, depending on your aim with stocking.
 
For heating, 1 watt per litre is ideal for most homes. That means you should be aiming at 175W or so. If you don't mind spending the cash, having two heaters (for example, a 100W and a 75W) is better than one in case one breaks.
 
Sand is pretty great, it's my favourite substrate for looks. I generally use play sand as it's very cheap, but I heard that pool filter sand is also good.

 

[orangegecko]

What are the dimensions of the tank? These are much more important for stocking than volume (volume is important for dosing additives such as dechlorinator and medications).
 
I'm guessing you mean turnover, not water changes? Freshwater tanks do well with anywhere from 2×-15× turnover, depending on your aim with stocking.
 
For heating, 1 watt per litre is ideal for most homes. That means you should be aiming at 175W or so. If you don't mind spending the cash, having two heaters (for example, a 100W and a 75W) is better than one in case one breaks.
 
Sand is pretty great, it's my favourite substrate for looks. I generally use play sand as it's very cheap, but I heard that pool filter sand is also good.

Tank dimensions, 36"W x 16"D x 20"H. 
 
Yes, that is what I meant turnover. 
 
I'll have to check those sands out.  Never would have thought that...  Thanks!

 

[KittyKat]

What sort of stock are you thinking of?

 

[orangegecko]

What sort of stock are you thinking of?

Since I am just going to be starting out...  Might be kind of boring but a combination of some of these: Cardinal Tetra, Penguin Tetra, Buenos Aires Tetra, X-Ray Pristella Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Tiger Barb.  I know the tiger barb is semi-aggressive and it might be off the list depending on what others experiences with them are.  I want colorful and semi-active fish.  So if there are others, I am willing to look into them...

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum.
 
Do you know how many watts the LEDs are?
 
Sand IMO is the best substrate, lots of plants prefer it over gravel. It also has the added benefit of waste sitting ontop, which makes it easier to clean.
Play sand is what most people use, as it is very cheap compared to many other types.
 
You have a lot of tetras on your stock list, it would look best with one or two bigger schools, rather than lots of little ones. Picking your favourite two would be the best option.
If you go with sand, corys or kuhli loaches would be a good option, they mainly stay at the bottom of the tank, having a school of them with the tetras would provide activity in all areas of the tank. 
Have you considered having a centrepiece fish? A gourami would go nicely, either that or rams, depending on your pH.

 

[KittyKat]

 

What sort of stock are you thinking of?

Since I am just going to be starting out...  Might be kind of boring but a combination of some of these: Cardinal Tetra, Penguin Tetra, Buenos Aires Tetra, X-Ray Pristella Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Tiger Barb.  I know the tiger barb is semi-aggressive and it might be off the list depending on what others experiences with them are.  I want colorful and semi-active fish.  So if there are others, I am willing to look into them...

 
5× turnover would be quite reasonable for that sort of fish. I do recommend that you consider having fewer species as all of those schooling fish do best in groups of 10-15+ per species, and I personally have best results when keeping them in groups of 25 or so. All of the fish that you name are pretty nice and you may want to consider going for a school of 10 Corys of one species if you decide to have sand.

 

[orangegecko]

to the forum.
 
Do you know how many watts the LEDs are?
 
Sand IMO is the best substrate, lots of plants prefer it over gravel. It also has the added benefit of waste sitting ontop, which makes it easier to clean.
Play sand is what most people use, as it is very cheap compared to many other types.
 
You have a lot of tetras on your stock list, it would look best with one or two bigger schools, rather than lots of little ones. Picking your favourite two would be the best option.
If you go with sand, corys or kuhli loaches would be a good option, they mainly stay at the bottom of the tank, having a school of them with the tetras would provide activity in all areas of the tank. 
Have you considered having a centrepiece fish? A gourami would go nicely, either that or rams, depending on your pH.

 
The store said 10 Watts for the LEDs.
 
I haven't considered a centerpiece fish.  I'll look into the ones you mentioned.
 
Thanks!

 

 


What sort of stock are you thinking of?

Since I am just going to be starting out...  Might be kind of boring but a combination of some of these: Cardinal Tetra, Penguin Tetra, Buenos Aires Tetra, X-Ray Pristella Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Tiger Barb.  I know the tiger barb is semi-aggressive and it might be off the list depending on what others experiences with them are.  I want colorful and semi-active fish.  So if there are others, I am willing to look into them...

 
5× turnover would be quite reasonable for that sort of fish. I do recommend that you consider having fewer species as all of those schooling fish do best in groups of 10-15+ per species, and I personally have best results when keeping them in groups of 25 or so. All of the fish that you name are pretty nice and you may want to consider going for a school of 10 Corys of one species if you decide to have sand.
 


 
Thanks for the info, I think I will look into 2 or 3 schools.

 

[l_l_l]

I have the exact same tank than you but am running a low light setup.
 
I have an Aquaclear 70 for a filter, two eheim Jager thermometers (125W each) to make sure the temperature is spot on.
 
As for the substrate, it all depends on the type of fish you want to keep, and if you want plants!
 
I really suggest you do have plants in your tank, there are a few of hardy plants you can keep and will help you have a better water quality and better fish health.
 
To give you an exemple of the stocking I have:
 
10 Pygme Corydoras
12 Celestial Pearl Danios
12 Rummynose Tetras
4 Nerite Snails
6 Amano Shrimp
And 1 Pearl Gourami
 
My tank has a lot of plants in it, to make sure everyone has a lot of hiding space and lots of stuff to look at!
As I have a lot of plants, I got some Eco-Complete black sand, it is really nice for plants, and won't hurt my Corydoras.
 
I could add a few other Rummynose Tetras for a bigger school but I like it the way it is right now.
 
Cardinal Tetras are hardy fish, and good for beginner, Harlequin Rasbora are by far one of the best schooling fish you can get (Keep in a large number as well) I was actually planning on getting some, but decided to go for one large school of tetras rather than two smaller schools of different species. I am still wondering if I should have went with the Rasboras (they are really really really beautifull)
 
If you want tiger barbs, because of their look, you could always opt for their cousin, the five banded barb, which is much more peaceful.
 
I am very happy that you are asking questions first, then buying later. Most people do the oposite, then they just quit the hobby, thinking it is just too difficult.
 
Also, before you buy everything, make sure that you cycle your tank!
It is absolutely necessary that you do it! If you don't your fish will all die "mysteriously".
 
You can follow this link to know how to do it!
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
If you have any more questions I'll be glad to help!

 

[fishncan]

As the previous poster mentioned, Aquaclear 70 is a good choice. I also have a 46 gal bow and it does a great job. Depening on the fish you choose, you may want to jerry rig a baffle below the spill to cut down on the water pressure

 

[l_l_l]

Best way I have found to reduce water current was to actually use the impeller of an aquaclear 50 instead of the one that comes with it I also run my filter with a sponge at the intake like this one

 

[orangegecko]

Thanks everyone!

I have the exact same tank than you but am running a low light setup.
 
I have an Aquaclear 70 for a filter, two eheim Jager thermometers (125W each) to make sure the temperature is spot on.
 
As for the substrate, it all depends on the type of fish you want to keep, and if you want plants!
 
I really suggest you do have plants in your tank, there are a few of hardy plants you can keep and will help you have a better water quality and better fish health.
 
To give you an exemple of the stocking I have:
 
10 Pygme Corydoras
12 Celestial Pearl Danios
12 Rummynose Tetras
4 Nerite Snails
6 Amano Shrimp
And 1 Pearl Gourami
 
My tank has a lot of plants in it, to make sure everyone has a lot of hiding space and lots of stuff to look at!
As I have a lot of plants, I got some Eco-Complete black sand, it is really nice for plants, and won't hurt my Corydoras.
 
I could add a few other Rummynose Tetras for a bigger school but I like it the way it is right now.
 
Cardinal Tetras are hardy fish, and good for beginner, Harlequin Rasbora are by far one of the best schooling fish you can get (Keep in a large number as well) I was actually planning on getting some, but decided to go for one large school of tetras rather than two smaller schools of different species. I am still wondering if I should have went with the Rasboras (they are really really really beautifull)
 
If you want tiger barbs, because of their look, you could always opt for their cousin, the five banded barb, which is much more peaceful.
 
I am very happy that you are asking questions first, then buying later. Most people do the oposite, then they just quit the hobby, thinking it is just too difficult.
 
Also, before you buy everything, make sure that you cycle your tank!
It is absolutely necessary that you do it! If you don't your fish will all die "mysteriously".
 
You can follow this link to know how to do it!
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
If you have any more questions I'll be glad to help!

 
Thanks for the info!  Do you have any pictures of your tank?  It sounds pretty neat and I'm curious to see what it looks like.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Hi!  I am new to the hobby and looking to start after I gather some info...

 
                 
 
 
Kudos to you.  Well done, and welcome.

 

[l_l_l]

Hi!
Yes I do have pictures!
You can find them here

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/428048-46-bowfront-and-its-surroundings/#entry3625446
 
The fish are really fast tho so everytime I take a picture, we don't see them

 

[orangegecko]

What are the dimensions of the tank? These are much more important for stocking than volume (volume is important for dosing additives such as dechlorinator and medications).
 
I'm guessing you mean turnover, not water changes? Freshwater tanks do well with anywhere from 2×-15× turnover, depending on your aim with stocking.
 
For heating, 1 watt per litre is ideal for most homes. That means you should be aiming at 175W or so. If you don't mind spending the cash, having two heaters (for example, a 100W and a 75W) is better than one in case one breaks.
 
Sand is pretty great, it's my favourite substrate for looks. I generally use play sand as it's very cheap, but I heard that pool filter sand is also good.

 
Do people have better experience with a certain brand or type of heater?  I know there are some electronic ones out there but wasn't sure if they are worth it...