Some Questions

[Captain Retardo]

I will be a beginner fish keeper soon (probably this summer) and i want to get everything right.

My friend is giving me a 10 gallon tank and a bubbler for free.

The 10 gallon will have:

3 kuhli loaches
3-5 pygmy corys
2-3 platys
(Im still not sure how many i want to get of the corys and platys)
(The tank will have a sand bottom)

I am wondering how much a Filter, Heater, and Hood (with light) will cost, and also would appreciate recommendations for good filters heaters and hoods for a 10 gallon that dont cost a lot either because i dont have a whole lot of money.

Thanks A Lot

 

[karlp]

Hi

you may actually find it's cheaper to buy a complete setup than try to buy individual parts to make the 10 gallon tank complete, particularly if you have access to eBay, there are some very good full setup deals to be had for less money than the list of equipment you're after.

The most important thing in setting up a new tank is to make sure you understand 'cycling'. Most new fish keepers kill most of their first fish and get disheartened because they don't know what this is and how to do it. Please have a read on the numerous posts on this subject on this forum before buying any fish. 'fishless cycle' is the most humane and safest way to get a tank ready for adding fish. Bio Spira is also a product worth looking at. It is one of only a small handful of products that can actually cycle your tank pretty much straight away. Be aware that nearly all similar products that claim they provide the bacteria you need, don't.

Good luck and happy fish keeping!

 

[Captain Retardo]

I actually have read fishless cycling and understand what it is

 

[Captain Retardo]

Update: Tigerman is actually giving me the 10 gallon tank a bubbler AND a heater

Also the fish i will be getting are:

1 honey gourami
3 kuhli loaches
4 pygmy corys

(Sand Bottom For Tank)


Can someone please answer my question about the other stuff, like what would be a cheap but good HOOD with LIGHT and FILTER

would a sponge filter be good for my situation?

Thanks