New 20 gallon

Little-Fizz

Alright everyone, I've just come back from picking up a used aquarium. Its a 20 gallon. I was supposed to get some sand on my way back but my dad was in a hurry. So I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow until I actually set it up. But it looks like I'm going to need some new equipment. Lol ok well heres the tank

Heres pretty much my biggest concern, the lights


Lol what happened there? Doesn't seem right that the thing is burnt. I'm thinking I might replace the whole light fixture(any ideas on the cost of that)... Like I've never seen bulbs like this on a tank before? I've plugged it in and surprisingly the one bulb in there does in fact work. I have no way of knowing how much power this bulbs got, lol any ideas anyone?

Now this is also pretty strange stuff, the heater, you can't really see anything because the picture it such poor quality I still can't believe my camera is like a 600 dollar camera and it stays focused right until I actually take the picture. But Imma put the picture on here anyways

Its a hagen radiant? Lol and the only thing I don't get is... The adjustment knob just says "Lower" and "higher" So... Does this mean I'm just going to have to figure out the right temperature myself?

So yeah, at the moment I believe those are all my questions. Lol anyone got any ideas? Thanks!

JouteiMike

I would ditch both the heater and light fixture.

That heater is a very poor design and not reliable at all. Get a new heater with an actual adjustable temperature dial and a light indicater that tell you when it is on, like an Ebo-jager or Visi-term. The hood is clearly not in good shape, and it looks like it uses incandescent lighting, which would give off way too much excess heat for the aquarium. You should pick up an inexpensive fluorescent hood. Don't worry too much about the type of lighting, only if you are going to have live plants that require certain kinds of light.

What kind of filter are you going to use?
What types of fish and how many were you thinking about?

Little-Fizz

Thanks! Thats what a figured, as soon as I saw under the hood I was like "...Uh I hope light fixtures are cheap :S"

I do plan on keeping live plants, this is why the light fixtures concerning me. But I'm going to have a look around tomorrow when I get my sand.

It came with an aqua clear 150, kinda grimy but I'm going to clean it up. And I have another regent filter I can run along with it if it's not doing a good enough job for the aquarium. I wish I had something with a biowheel.... Lol as soon as I replace the lights and heater I'll get some money for a penguin or something. I know the filter I have now will do the job until it can be replaced.

I was thinking of getting a pair of german blue rams. That is if I can get the pH to their liking and keep it that way.

And I have one cory cat in my 28 gallon right now.. And all his buddies have slowly died off. I figured it had something to do with the gravel (obviously, I know but I had the tiniest hope they would be ok with it) So this new tank must be sand for my cory, and then I'll get 5 or 6 more. Other then that I have no idea. Any suggestions?

1077

I agree ditch the light fixture and heater. Looks like someone put too much bulb(watts) in the light fixture. could be after heater quit in an effort to provide more heat or out of ignorance. Read up all you can on cycling process . Be sure and wash the sand really,really,really,well. Most importantly DON"T use anything but dechlorinator in the water while tank is maturing or cycling. Due to breeding practices of those who import blue rams I would not try them in a new tank. Bolivian rams are much hardier. I would also like to remind you that PATIENCE will be the key to the successful startup of your tank. And adding fish SLOWLY. Corys are not all that fragile of fish .There is a reason why the others you cared for have died. Have you identified the cause? :)

Little-Fizz

Lol thanks, but I'm sure I'll be fine when it comes to cycling my tank. It's not my first.

I don't really like the bolivian rams. They are ok but I would much prefer the blue rams.

Little-Fizz

Sorry, I'm assuming that was an edit? I never figured out what happened to them. It was weird. And only happened to my cats. The one I have is still going strong. I don't see him as much though, obviously. I feel really bad and just want to get him some sand and buddies asap.

The last cory that died, kicked it months ago. So I'm pretty sure I'm safe if theres anything going around.

beweeb

blue rams are awsome and have great personality
and mine is very hardy

Little-Fizz

Yeah I've wanted blue rams for such a long time. What do you keep your pH at? Did your lfs adjust the pH of the tank they kept the rams in? Or just whatever comes out of the tap?

1077

OOPS! Please excuse .Sometimes read the question without regard to poster. I suffer from a form of AD and seem to think more clearly in the a.m. I,d take it all back if I could REALLY. Good luck with the 20gal. project and rest assured I shall strive to be more attentive. :)

beweeb

iv tested the lfss water and the ph is at like six :o
but mine is at 7.4
like i said he is very hardy and surrvived my lack of expereance
here are some pics of him
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18813