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Please help a new guy with his new 30g!

12K views 125 replies 10 participants last post by  bigehugedome 
#1 ·
Hello everyone. New to the forum and kida new to fish keeping. Had tanks growing up so I know how to setup and maintain, but not so familiar with a lot of species. Also I never had real plants or inverts so I need some advice!

I got a 30gal off craigslist. I cleaned it with a vinegar/water solution and it looks brand new. Should I do anything else to make sure my tank is disease free? It came with a top fin 30 filter but I was going to get a whisper 40 or 60. Also I threw out the old filter media since I was unsure how long ago it was used and what was on it.

I want to make this a really nice tank with plenty of rocks, driftwood and plants. I was also going to paint the back of the tank black so I don’t have to deal with backgrounds and tape.

So here is where I need your help! What plants do you suggest for a beginner (I don’t want to have to go crazy with lighting, but I plan on doing a DIY co2 setup)? And what should I stock? I am in love with the clown loaches at the LFS but fear I cannot have them in my tank since they get so big (won’t be able to upgrade the tank for at least a year). So I was thinking 4-6 yoyo’s? But what would work with them.

If loaches are a no go then what about cichlids? What could I keep in a 30g? Any other suggestions? What kind of shrimp?
Sorry about the long post with ‘noobish’ questions. I just want to get the tank started in September and I greatly appreciate the knowledge and opinions of other people so Im asking a lot so I can try and learn a lot.

P.S- I remember cycling tanks and I have read about it and understand. I would want to cycle with my live plants and some gravel/filter media from my friend’s tank.
 
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#58 ·
Just going over all the posts and missed a few things from you Lisa. I’m moving to old street road. So I’m right off of street, but I think I’m on the other side of the Outback. I am west of Rt.1.

And about the window tint on your tank. That’s a great idea! I didn’t get a chance to see the tank since I painted it (its sitting at my parents) so I don’t know how it will turn out. I’m hoping it does not chip. But I will deal with it as it happens. If I don’t like the paint tonight I can scrape it off and give it a good cleaning and try your method.

I was in the process of making a stand, but because of time constraints, and lack of proper skills, I decided to scratch that idea. I just couldn’t see spending $60-$80 on dumb particle board stands, but I cannot afford a nice $200 one. I found the ones at the hidden reef, and I’m going to get that. It’s made of pine, so it should be a little better. The problem is they get a little knocked up from transport and the Hidden Reef won’t take a few bucks off. I’m going back today to see if they got any new ones, if not I’ll have to get it and touch it up myself.

After reading up on it, I decided to go with the eco-complete. I got the Penn Plax 700 (thanks Amanda). And I’m going to get the other conditioners and ferts tonight, and hopefully the bulb. My car is still in the shop so this is going to be a pain.

Sweet Aquatics just emailed me! SO excited! She is going to give me suggestions for my tank. Buying drift wood online is so hard though. I just can’t picture it in my tank. And I want to make sure I have enough right away. I want one center piece (not in the center that’s cheesy IMO) sticking up and then enough on the sides to make some caves and stuff. And I will get a flat rock or two for the bottom.
 
#59 · (Edited)
You aren't moving to Arbor Lane Apartments, are you? That's where I lived for a year before buying a house with my now husband. I'm sure your paint job will come out well. Quite a few people have tried that method this forum, and as far and I know, has turned out just fine. I agree that Hidden Reef should take a few bucks off if the stand is slightly damamged. Try talking to a manager. Also, maybe see what Fish Factory has. Have you checked Craigslist at all? Oh, and you won't be disapoointed with the Eco-Complete. I love it!

The pieces of driftwood at Sweet Aquatics are a bit plain, but very cheap. Maybe for your centerpiece piece you can search around the local stores for the one you love (Petland also sells driftwood and stones in the back left of the store) and get your smaller plainer pieces through Sweet Aquatics to save money. Just a thought.
 
#60 ·
Yes that is where I'm moving. Please don't tell me any bad things :(.

Yea the drift wood has been a bit of a pain. But I'll find something. Yea craigslist was a no go. Didn't see anything at the ff either.

Here is what sa emailed me about plants. If any one has suggestions. I didn't get to look at them yet
Scott,
I hope we live up to your expectations.
For the tank you are describing I would not go with the amazon sword, it will be bigger than the tank in no time. If you like the look you could go with the amazon compacta sword and another good one for a 29 gallon is the rosette sword.
The melon you mentioned is it the melon sword or the red melon sword. Neither one will outgrow a 29 but the melon will work in a 29 gal.
For the misc. plants I don't have any java fern windelov or spatterdock right now.*
I will go over the plant pack with some suggestions for each category
Foreground- narrowleaf microsword, narrowleaf chain sword
Bare root anubias- nana
bunch plants- rotala indica, ludwigia ovalis, myriophyllum pinnatum, rotala wallichii, water wisteria, anacharis, pennywort
Vallisneria- any would work except jungle val.
Aponogeton- crispus or undulatus
Cryptocoryne- any would work just depends on the size and color you want
potted cryptocoryne- any would work just depends on the size and color you want
misc plants- bolbitis, dwarf lily, java fern
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#61 ·
A couple comments on the plants in the list.

Foreground- narrowleaf microsword, narrowleaf chain sword
Go with the latter; the former I suspect is not a true Echinodorus (sword), the name escapes me at the moment but I recall it is more demanding.
Bare root Anubias- nana
bunch plants- rotala indica, ludwigia ovalis, myriophyllum pinnatum, rotala wallichii, water Wisteria, anacharis, pennywort
This is a lot of bunch plants for a 29g. PErsonally, I think one or two species will be adequate with everything else. Select what you like for contrast. I would not suggest Wisteria for this setup.
Vallisneria- any would work except jungle val.
Aponogeton- crispus or undulatus
I have both in the left rear side of my current SE Asian Stream 70g tank if you want to look at the posted photos. A. crispus are the two plants at the left edge, A. undulatus are the two shorter and lighter green plants to the right of the others. A. crispus is a lovely plant; the leaves on mine are today about 2 feet long, winding across the surface. But they are narrow and thsu do not totally block out light; this is for me a superb plant. And it very readily flowers and produces daughter plants similar to swords.
Cryptocoryne- any would work just depends on the size and color you want
Agree. Red/brow leaf species are perfect as they are sometimes the only way to get "colour" close to the substrate and they do well in the shade of ther plants and floating, even demanding it.
potted cryptocoryne- any would work just depends on the size and color you want
misc plants- bolbitis, dwarf lily, Java Fern
The lily would be nice, it produces long stems with floating leaves that can be effective.

Byron.
 
#63 ·
Thanks for your suggestions, Bryon. Those plants are just suggestions from Mary. I olnly get 2 bunch plants. Here is what I get, the bold stuff is what im thinking about getting:

1 Sword (Med or Potted) Melon, Kleiner bar or Indian Red

2 Potted Foreground (can be substituted for microsword portions) narrow leaf sword, sagittaria subulata, lilaeopsis mauritana
1 Med Bare Root Anubias nana
2 Bunch Plants, Ludwigia ovalis, pennywort,anacharis
5 Vallisneria- corkscrew, spiralis (leapord?)
1 Aponogeton Bulb with sprouts crispus
2 Med Bare Root Cryptocorynes Walkeri, wendtii bronze

1 Potted Cryptocoryne (priced at $3.50 or lower) Undulata
2 Miscellaneous plant (choose from dwarf lily, java fern, java fern windelov, java fern narrowleaf, moss ball, spatterdock, banana plant, dwarf onion plant) dwarf lily, moss ball, java fern

Now, since they are cheap, and im already paying for shipping, i can add more to this package. My questions are:

1: Foreground- i would like a "carpet", something to cover nicely, but the whole bottom does not need to be covered. On the site is says sagittaria subulata will carpet in weeks, but how many do i need for that?
2. 5 vals- should i get a few species, or 5 species, so like 2corkscrews and 2 spiralis and one spirialis leapord? Or 5 seperate Vals
3: how do you work with mossballs and java fern? How many do you need to cover your wood, etc like you do so well in your tanks?

Thanks in advance!
 
#66 ·
Sprayed the tank one more time. Looks good I think. One more time should do it.Got the light bulb, some buckets, flourish and prime, I got a stand from petsmart :-:)-( it should be fine, I think Im just stressing for no reason. Why would they sell a tank for a 29 gallon if it couldnt hold a 29 gallon with all its contents.

Ordered alot of driftwood I think. I wanted to order the extra pieces now so they would ship with the plants. Speaking of plants, Im still looking them over. Not sure what to get. Im gonna figure it out over the weekend and tell them on monday.

Im pretty sure I have/ordered everything now, except for the fish and their food. Im so pumped! Ill keep updating as I go. This time next week Ill be moving to the new place (hopefully Lisa can tell me nice things about the place).
 

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#68 ·
OK, so....This is what I like, and think will do good. Please correct me if I should change anything. I wanna finish the order if possible.

1 Sword (Med or Potted) Melon (or red)
2 Potted Foreground (can be substituted for microsword portions) narrow leaf sword, sagittaria subulata,
1 Med Bare Root Anubias nana
2 Bunch Plants, Ludwigia ovalis, pennywort
5 Vallisneria- (3)corkscrew, (2)spiralis
1 Aponogeton Bulb with sprouts crispus
2 Med Bare Root Cryptocorynes Walkeri, wendtii bronze
1 Potted Cryptocoryne (priced at $3.50 or lower) Undulata
2 Miscellaneous plant dwarf lily, Java Fern, (may add on some java moss)

Again, kinda confused on foreground. What should be the best for me to get a nice "carpet"
fairly quickly? Should I only get one type of foreground?

Is that ok to get the three different cryptocorynes?
Is that ok for the Vals(i really like both)?

These plants may be the death of me ha!. I know its gonna take me a long time to pick where everything should go in my tank.....which leads me to another question. I should have my tank up saturday( 1 week!!!) or sunday. Should I fill it like 3/4's water and run the filter? I wont get the plants/wood untill monday-wensday. Then when I get them just set everything up? Do the plants need be introduced to the tank any specific way?
 
#69 ·
OK, so....This is what I like, and think will do good. Please correct me if I should change anything. I wanna finish the order if possible.

1 Sword (Med or Potted) Melon (or red)
2 Potted Foreground (can be substituted for microsword portions) narrow leaf sword, sagittaria subulata,
1 Med Bare Root Anubias nana
2 Bunch Plants, Ludwigia ovalis, pennywort
5 Vallisneria- (3)corkscrew, (2)spiralis
1 Aponogeton Bulb with sprouts crispus
2 Med Bare Root Cryptocorynes Walkeri, wendtii bronze
1 Potted Cryptocoryne (priced at $3.50 or lower) Undulata
2 Miscellaneous plant dwarf lily, Java Fern, (may add on some java moss)

Again, kinda confused on foreground. What should be the best for me to get a nice "carpet"
fairly quickly? Should I only get one type of foreground?

Is that ok to get the three different cryptocorynes?
Is that ok for the Vals(i really like both)?

These plants may be the death of me ha!. I know its gonna take me a long time to pick where everything should go in my tank.....which leads me to another question. I should have my tank up saturday( 1 week!!!) or sunday. Should I fill it like 3/4's water and run the filter? I wont get the plants/wood untill monday-wensday. Then when I get them just set everything up? Do the plants need be introduced to the tank any specific way?
Chain Leaf Sword varieties are foreground and potentially can form a "carpet effect,"

Narrow or Broad Leaf.
 
#70 ·
A thought on the "carpet" effect. "Carpet" can mean different things to different aquarists, but if you are thinking the carpet like Amano's tanks where the bottom is literally a lawn, I would not if you intend bottom fish. If you plant on having loaches, Corydoras, or similar, and other substrate feeders like dwarf cichlids, some of the smaller gourami, Dario or Badis--and most of us do have some of these to add interest to the lower level--you will want open substrate at the front so they can feed and be observed. The pygmy chain swords or dwarf Sagittaria will cover the substrate but not like a lawn so open spaces will be easy to maintain by trimming runners.
 
#71 ·
Not to mention you will have that beautiful dark substrate you will want to show off. The Green against the dark substrate will be striking. I am very excited for you and can't wait to see how your tank looks when set up.

Paint job looks good so far.

As far as Java Moss goes, I love it. I saw it in so many different aquariums and finally found a place that had some. I just added mine this week to a new piece of Mopani wood and it is taking off already. The amount I got was pretty tiny.

I didn't tie mine to the wood or anything, I just kind of hooked it onto the rough spots on the wood and it is rooting itself to it. I can't wait for it to fill out more.


Dr. Foster's and Smith has some really nice pieced of Mopani wood. I have always been happy with what they sent me. I am getting a few more pieces this week and I can't wait. My whole aquarium is going to be stuffed full of wood and plants. lol
 
#73 ·
When I shipped plants from Natalie on here, she told me I could float them in the water for a bit. As excited as you are, do you seriously think you can wait until Sunday? LOL C'Mon, you will be up all night planting your tank. I know I was and I started immediately when I got them. Heck, I was checking the porch for a package every hour. lol
 
#74 ·
Take them out of the box. They'll come wrapped in newspaper and placed in a bag. Remove them from the bag and unwrap them. I rinsed them under room temperature tap water. If you aren't planting them right away, put them in a bucket of room temperature water. I used declorinator as well, just in case. You're perfectly fine waiting a day to plant them. I've never had any problem with doing that.

I didn't see any Zebra Loaches at Captain Nemo's but they were getting another shipment Monday. I'd definitely ask Petland if they can order them for you though. Can never beat B1G1!
 
#76 ·
cool lisa! Thanks, however, you didnt comment on Arbor lanes. Please tell me you didnt have any problems there.

Inga, your right, even though I will be super tired from moving, if I have the plants they are going in that day :)

Dang! Now we have to wait until next Sunday? Ugh! I don't even like waiting for other peoples tanks to be set up. lol I suppose you won't get us pictures right away either, hm? That should be a requirement of the forum. lol
 
#77 ·
Arbor Lanes wasn't bad. You most certainly can't beat the rent, but it is an old complex with old buildings. Air conditioning and heat is extremely loud. You'll be turning up the volume on your TV when the air or heat kicks on. The floors are also very thin. We could hear every time the person upstairs walked around (not fun when they have a 2 year old kid who never stops). If you got a 3rd floor apartment, you'll never experience that. What's nice is certainly the location. Lots of food stores,shopping, Route 1, etc. The pool is also nice and is included in the rent. Wouldn't it be funny if you moved into our old apartment? That would be strange. We were in E109.
 
#78 ·
Ok thats good, I was worried hahah. I am in c106

Inga, I do not start moving untill this saturday coming up, so cant set the tank up untill then. But was not going to be getting the plants and wood untill monday. But hopefully I can get them this saturday and start. I will take plenty of pics and update as i go. I agree that everyone should have pics. Plus everyone that helped should get to see what te tank lookes like cause they all put some work into making it happen. But yes, one more week. Its killong me inside. I may even set up the stand that way its ready when I get to the new place.
 
#79 ·
Well dear, I will be anxious along with you. ;) You will have so much to do on Saturday that the fish tank will be the last thing on your mind. I am sure this week will be kept busy with packing and moving plans so that will help keep your mind off of things. I will be looking forward to the pictures.
 
#80 ·
Soooooo, thanks to Lisa( your tamks are just so nice), my girlfriend and I wanna try another beta. We had one in a bowl and he wound up on the floor one day (cat???). He made the fall, he was out of water when we got home, and he did make it, however he only lived for a few weeks after that.

Well after learning that they need a filter and heater, we wanna try again. We just got home from walmart and got a small bookshelf for our beedroom and figured a 5 gallon would look great there.

Walmart.com: Tetra 5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit and Tetra 50 Watt Heater Bundle: Fish

Now a few questions, we would want to have more then just a beta. Tetras are fine, but would a small school of something else work?
What kind of plants? I can order them tomorrow from SA and save money on shipping.
Will that light be good enough for some plants?

Thanks again everyone.
 
#81 ·
Soooooo, thanks to Lisa( your tamks are just so nice), my girlfriend and I wanna try another beta. We had one in a bowl and he wound up on the floor one day (cat???). He made the fall, he was out of water when we got home, and he did make it, however he only lived for a few weeks after that.

Well after learning that they need a filter and heater, we wanna try again. We just got home from walmart and got a small bookshelf for our beedroom and figured a 5 gallon would look great there.

Walmart.com: Tetra 5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit and Tetra 50 Watt Heater Bundle: Fish

Now a few questions, we would want to have more then just a beta. Tetras are fine, but would a small school of something else work?
What kind of plants? I can order them tomorrow from SA and save money on shipping.
Will that light be good enough for some plants?

Thanks again everyone.
Corydoras catfish work well with bettas. I also like to keep Neon Tetras in with my Blue/Red betta... Looks sweet. :D
 
#82 ·
Aww, well thank you for the kind compliment. That 55g in my Aquarium Log actually doesn't exist anymore. The 120g took it's place, which I need up update my log with. I have a thread under Photography and videos though, if you'd like to take a look. The rock cave has since been replaced with DW.

You will have a debate about the betta for sure. Some people agree that keeping other fish with Betta's is okay, but many people (including Byron especially) agree that Betta's are single fish. That being said, a small shoal of something like pgymy corys will bring some activity to the bottom of the tank while the betta will occupy the top and middle portions, so not really in the Betta's way. Also, I just saw the other day that Captain Nemo's has a whole tank full of pgymy corys :) I've never seen any in person before, they were very cute. you can also do an apple snail if you like them, but IMO I would not suggest a shoal of tetras in with a betta, especially in a 5g where both occupy the top and middle regions.
 
#84 ·
I was just excited last night and saw tanks with betas and tetras. Then after I posted i thought, "donno if thats a good idead".

But we would love to do the corys! And i didnt even think about just getting a new bulb for that.

So that will be my plan.

What plants would work and how many of each? Im gonna order them today so they ship with my 29 order
 
#85 ·
I was just excited last night and saw tanks with betas and tetras. Then after I posted i thought, "donno if thats a good idead".

But we would love to do the corys! And i didnt even think about just getting a new bulb for that.

So that will be my plan.

What plants would work and how many of each? Im gonna order them today so they ship with my 29 order
In a 5g with a betta and corys, crypts are ideal. You can get red/brown leaf varieties that are unique in providing non-green colour in low light; a couploe are in our profiles under Cryptocoryne species. For light green with contrasting leaves in small tanks, the pygmy chain sword is perfect, click on the shaded name to see the profile. One plant, they send out runners once established and you will have plants to spare but they are easily removed after it spreads to your satisfaction. Floating plants are essential for Betta, they spend hours cruising through the floating leaves and dangling roots, plus these plants shade the light. Water Sprite is ideal. Ceratopteris cornuta is the correct species, this one is best floating (see our profile). I personally would leave stem plants out of a 5g because they will be growing so fast you will be constantly in the tank trimming them back (you do this by uprooting the stems and cutting off the tops and planting the cut tops; this can occur every week or second week). Anubias barteri var. nana is a good small plant, it attaches to rock or wood (not planted in the substrate), like the crypts ideal for darker tanks. Or Java Fern to be more realistic to the Betta's natural habitat, also attached to wood or rock. Again, have a look at our profiles and see what you think of them.

As for number, I would say 3 crypts, 1 pygmy chain sword, 1 or 2 Java Fern or 1 Anubias (requiring two bits of wood of course, or rock), 1 Water Sprite. If SA sells these in a group or something, that's fine, my numbers are not mandatory.

Byron.
 
#87 ·
I agree with the Crypts. Once estblished, the will grow very nicely. Know that this is a plant that does not like to be removed, so initially don't panic if you see some melting of the leaves. Once it's rooted well, it will take off, sending up new leaves quite frequently. This stuff took off in my 120g, and I may try it in my 5g once I get a decent amount in my 120g. I love the Red Wendtii. Pgymy chain sword is another good suggestion. It shoots runners out like crazy. It will provide a nice foreground, still leaving room for your corys, if that's the root you decide to go. It is also very easily controlled. I have both Anubias and Java Fern in my 5g, both thriving.
 
#88 · (Edited)
yay yay yay! my filter and substrate came! Super excited! The canister has 2 baskets. The bottomo has a coarse foam pad, then above that sits carbon. the top basket has 2 things of filter floss. Sice I have plants I wanna ditch the carbon and get bio balls. Is there anytiing specific I should be looking for? Do I just throw them in there or do they have some type of pouch?
Some pics to hold everyone over untill the real fun begings. SA did not tell me if they could get my plants for this weekends so im nervous.

Filter, I guess the flash made it look like its old but its not



baskets


substrate: The bags seem really small


Crappy petsmart stand in box




One of the kitties making sure my everything I bring into the apt is OK!


Its not always a mess, just trying to pack and throw out any junk we dont need
 
#89 · (Edited)
Nice going. On the filter, just put the media into the basket. I would use Fluval's Pre-Filoter (the ceramic disks that act as a first stage to remove larger particules) or their BioMax. It really isn't necessary, but it doesn't seem to do any harm in my planted tanks. One box of either will be enough. I suggest Fluval because they are considerably less expensive that the Rena or Eheim media that is basically the same. I use Fluval in my Eheim and Rena canisters.

Byron.

P.S. Kitty seems to be settling down.:)
 
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