Hello, I am an accomplished saltwater hobbyist and am helping a friend set up a freshwater 30 gallon long tropical tank. He knows how to test water, but that is about it. He knows nothing about fish compatibility or other needs, so I'm going to pick out his fish for him.
However, since I know almost nothing about freshwater having only kept a lone cichilid before, I would like some help. Is sand a suitable substrate?
He currently has gravel -- huge detritus trap -- and got some terrible stocking advice from a petsmart employee. Fish have already died, though the water quality is impeccable.
I would like advice for substrate, plants/no plants, fish stocking, etc. Is the cycling different from that of a reef in terms of length? How many fish should be added? He wants small schooling fish. What should the fish be fed with?
What kind of filtration should be used? I live about a mile from him so can help with water changes from my RO/DI system. He has a small mechanical filter with activated carbon, a bio-wheel (low surface are I know), and a sponge.
What should the nitrate and pH be? He does not have, nor has room for, a sump. If anything else comes up i'll post it in this thread. Thanks for all the help in advance, I hope to help him set up a wonderful tank!
P.S.: Limited budget, only about one hundred and fifty dollars to spend not including fish. He wants to spend about $5 per fish max.
However, since I know almost nothing about freshwater having only kept a lone cichilid before, I would like some help. Is sand a suitable substrate?
He currently has gravel -- huge detritus trap -- and got some terrible stocking advice from a petsmart employee. Fish have already died, though the water quality is impeccable.
I would like advice for substrate, plants/no plants, fish stocking, etc. Is the cycling different from that of a reef in terms of length? How many fish should be added? He wants small schooling fish. What should the fish be fed with?
What kind of filtration should be used? I live about a mile from him so can help with water changes from my RO/DI system. He has a small mechanical filter with activated carbon, a bio-wheel (low surface are I know), and a sponge.
What should the nitrate and pH be? He does not have, nor has room for, a sump. If anything else comes up i'll post it in this thread. Thanks for all the help in advance, I hope to help him set up a wonderful tank!
P.S.: Limited budget, only about one hundred and fifty dollars to spend not including fish. He wants to spend about $5 per fish max.