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Thunderkiss · 04-22-2005, 05:46 PM

I am getting ready to start a new 29 gallon african cichlid tank. I had a few questions about the equipment I am using, I would appreciate some advice.

1. The tank, 29 gallon glass Top Fin
After purchasing the tank from Petsmart, I was talking with another pet store owner. He told me to beware of Top Fin and Perfecto glass tanks, he has seen a lot of them explode. I have never had a tank 'explode' and was wondering if that was good advice, or not. He recommended All glass. Do you think my Top Fin tank is ok?

2. I bought and Eclipse 3 top. It comes with a penguin bio-wheel filter and a good lighting system.

3. Heater I want to get a visitherm deluxe heater. Should I get 100w or 150w?

I am not planning on getting an airpump, I should have enough oxygen with my filter, is that correct?

4. Last of all, for my substrate. I have always used gravel. I want to use sand, or another substance. Does that work in a freshwater chiclid tank. I know they like to dig and does the fine particles cause any problems for the filter? I have no experience in this area, advice would be apperciated.

1) all i use is all glass, no experience with top fin. And i've never heard of a tank "exploding". Possible? sure i spose. Plausible? probably not, aquarium companies don't get rich making tanks that "explode" and dump many gallons of water in peoples houses.

2) Eclipse hoods stomp. Change the lights out asap to aqua glows or whatever your local equivilant, plant oriented light is. They tend to grow LOTS of algae on the front glass at a very prodigious rate leaving the standard lights in. Also the biowheel cradle will wear a groove after a few years which will slow the turn rate. I solved this in mine with a few loops of stainless steel wire in the cradle.

3) 150w

4)Shouldn't be an issue, just keep it thin, no more than an inch and a half or so.

04-22-2005, 05:46 PM	#3
Thunderkiss Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 376	Re: Advice on my 29 G setup I am getting ready to start a new 29 gallon african cichlid tank. I had a few questions about the equipment I am using, I would appreciate some advice. 1. The tank, 29 gallon glass Top Fin After purchasing the tank from Petsmart, I was talking with another pet store owner. He told me to beware of Top Fin and Perfecto glass tanks, he has seen a lot of them explode. I have never had a tank 'explode' and was wondering if that was good advice, or not. He recommended All glass. Do you think my Top Fin tank is ok? 2. I bought and Eclipse 3 top. It comes with a penguin bio-wheel filter and a good lighting system. 3. Heater I want to get a visitherm deluxe heater. Should I get 100w or 150w? I am not planning on getting an airpump, I should have enough oxygen with my filter, is that correct? 4. Last of all, for my substrate. I have always used gravel. I want to use sand, or another substance. Does that work in a freshwater chiclid tank. I know they like to dig and does the fine particles cause any problems for the filter? I have no experience in this area, advice would be apperciated. 1) all i use is all glass, no experience with top fin. And i've never heard of a tank "exploding". Possible? sure i spose. Plausible? probably not, aquarium companies don't get rich making tanks that "explode" and dump many gallons of water in peoples houses. 2) Eclipse hoods stomp. Change the lights out asap to aqua glows or whatever your local equivilant, plant oriented light is. They tend to grow LOTS of algae on the front glass at a very prodigious rate leaving the standard lights in. Also the biowheel cradle will wear a groove after a few years which will slow the turn rate. I solved this in mine with a few loops of stainless steel wire in the cradle. 3) 150w 4)Shouldn't be an issue, just keep it thin, no more than an inch and a half or so.