Thirty gallon

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 08:04 AM

Ok so I finally have the thirty gal.

Now I am needing advice on my substrate and filter. Ok so my friend gave me some Regal filter and I am wondering should I go and hook it up to an uunder gravel or should I just order a bio wheel off of drs. foster and smith.

Second how should I clean out my tank. It is full of dust and me and my dad are considering using CA-Brite which if you do not know is a product used to clean brewery containers, bottles, ect. Is that ok or do you have a preference?

finally I am planning to use live plants. What kind of substrate should I use? Can I use sand with a top layer of gravel?

**Damon** · 02-18-2005, 09:33 AM

Unless there is a buildup of calcium, soap and water will work fine. If it doesn't use vinegar and water. Next step is bleach and water. If that still fails to clean the tank, Muriatic acid and water works. Careful, the acid is EXTREMELY potent and will burn skin on contact.

MyraVan · 02-18-2005, 09:43 AM

For ideas for substrate, see:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/begin.htm
In one tank I'm using plain gravel, but the plants are actually in pots with Flourite in them. I'm just about to set up a small (5gal) tank using using Diana Walstad's methods, so I'll use 1" of plain soil with 1" of plain small gravel over it.

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 10:45 AM

Ok C-Brite is a product that will clean as well as clorox but with out the clorine residue. Is this ok to use?

turtlehead · 02-18-2005, 10:52 AM

is this going to be planted?

Lexus · 02-18-2005, 10:53 AM

he said he was planning on having live plants....

turtlehead · 02-18-2005, 10:54 AM

ok then an undergravel filter will not work and a bio wheel won't too. undergravel filters mess with the plant roots and substrate, the bio wheel will cause a loss of co2. Go with a canister or aquaclear. Sorry for not reading clearly.

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 11:33 AM

Right now I have live plants in my tan gallon that has a biowheel. They are having no problems.

**Damon** · 02-18-2005, 11:42 AM

It really depends on what type of plants you keep. I use a bio-wheel on my 20 high but I slow the flow down. A cannister is really the way you want to go though. As for substrate I would go with Eco-complete (if you want a dark substrate), Flourite (reddish colored), Laterite and sand mix, or if you have the time and money ADA aquasoil and ADA powersand.

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 11:45 AM

What I want is something that I will be able to have gravel and rocks on top of, but I want a sand substrate so that I can grow a larger variety of plants in. can I do this?

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 11:47 AM

what is KH?

Lexus · 02-18-2005, 12:00 PM

KH is hardness

turtlehead · 02-18-2005, 12:05 PM

all depends on your plants

**Damon** · 02-18-2005, 01:17 PM

You're going to have to do some research and decide how far you want to go with this tank and what type you want.

For a low tech guideline look here........... http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=17

For lighting............. http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=3

My favorite planted tank site
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f.../articles.php?
Check out the fundamentals section as well as books for beginners.

Read anything you can by Diana Walstead and Thomas Barr.

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 02:20 PM

right now I have to figure out how to clean my tank can I use C-brite an "active clonine base" (used in home brewing) to clean my used tank?

fishfreaks · 02-18-2005, 06:32 PM

if you use ANY chemicals make sure it is completly rinsed out before you set up!

madmatrixz3000 · 02-18-2005, 07:45 PM

I know but is this okay to use?

02-18-2005, 08:04 AM	#1
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Thirty gallon Ok so I finally have the thirty gal. Now I am needing advice on my substrate and filter. Ok so my friend gave me some Regal filter and I am wondering should I go and hook it up to an uunder gravel or should I just order a bio wheel off of drs. foster and smith. Second how should I clean out my tank. It is full of dust and me and my dad are considering using CA-Brite which if you do not know is a product used to clean brewery containers, bottles, ect. Is that ok or do you have a preference? finally I am planning to use live plants. What kind of substrate should I use? Can I use sand with a top layer of gravel?

02-18-2005, 09:33 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Thirty gallon Unless there is a buildup of calcium, soap and water will work fine. If it doesn't use vinegar and water. Next step is bleach and water. If that still fails to clean the tank, Muriatic acid and water works. Careful, the acid is EXTREMELY potent and will burn skin on contact. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-18-2005, 09:43 AM	#3
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	Re: Thirty gallon For ideas for substrate, see: http://www.aquabotanic.com/begin.htm In one tank I'm using plain gravel, but the plants are actually in pots with Flourite in them. I'm just about to set up a small (5gal) tank using using Diana Walstad's methods, so I'll use 1" of plain soil with 1" of plain small gravel over it.

02-18-2005, 10:45 AM	#4
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon Ok C-Brite is a product that will clean as well as clorox but with out the clorine residue. Is this ok to use?

02-18-2005, 10:52 AM	#5
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	is this going to be planted? __________________ http://glassaqua.tk/ - finally got off my lazy rear and did something

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02-18-2005, 10:53 AM	#6
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,402	Re: Thirty gallon he said he was planning on having live plants.... __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 6 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 11 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 1 Betta 15 Neon Tetras

02-18-2005, 10:54 AM	#7
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	ok then an undergravel filter will not work and a bio wheel won't too. undergravel filters mess with the plant roots and substrate, the bio wheel will cause a loss of co2. Go with a canister or aquaclear. Sorry for not reading clearly.

02-18-2005, 11:33 AM	#8
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon Right now I have live plants in my tan gallon that has a biowheel. They are having no problems.

02-18-2005, 11:42 AM	#9
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Thirty gallon It really depends on what type of plants you keep. I use a bio-wheel on my 20 high but I slow the flow down. A cannister is really the way you want to go though. As for substrate I would go with Eco-complete (if you want a dark substrate), Flourite (reddish colored), Laterite and sand mix, or if you have the time and money ADA aquasoil and ADA powersand. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-18-2005, 11:45 AM	#10
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon What I want is something that I will be able to have gravel and rocks on top of, but I want a sand substrate so that I can grow a larger variety of plants in. can I do this?

02-18-2005, 11:47 AM	#11
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon what is KH?

02-18-2005, 12:00 PM	#12
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,402	Re: Thirty gallon KH is hardness __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 6 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 11 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 1 Betta 15 Neon Tetras

02-18-2005, 12:05 PM	#13
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	all depends on your plants __________________ http://glassaqua.tk/ - finally got off my lazy rear and did something

02-18-2005, 01:17 PM	#14
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Thirty gallon You're going to have to do some research and decide how far you want to go with this tank and what type you want. For a low tech guideline look here........... http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=17 For lighting............. http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=3 My favorite planted tank site http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f.../articles.php? Check out the fundamentals section as well as books for beginners. Read anything you can by Diana Walstead and Thomas Barr. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-18-2005, 02:20 PM	#15
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon right now I have to figure out how to clean my tank can I use C-brite an "active clonine base" (used in home brewing) to clean my used tank?

02-18-2005, 06:32 PM	#16
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	Re: Thirty gallon if you use ANY chemicals make sure it is completly rinsed out before you set up! __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

02-18-2005, 07:45 PM	#17
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Thirty gallon I know but is this okay to use?

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