So undecided
 

Hello everyone, I am picking up a 100G aquarium tonight (I am a noob to this) and would like a nice colorful array of tropicals eventually. The possibilies seem endless but looks like a lot of fun, designing, and picking out your fish.

I would like maybe 2 schooling types of fish and a few other brightly colored fish. I don't know where to start, I did take a look at the compatiblity chart but still at a lost as to what to get.

What type of community fish do you have living in perfect harmony

:D

Thanks for your feedback in getting me started

A lot of tetras are very passive. Cardinals, Neons, and Rummynose all seem to get along very well with each other in my experience (and are very attractive), as do the more popular danios.

woodenchef

This may be an excellent thread for a "sticky".

Successful fish keeping (ie. having happy fishies or for that matter live ones) is not as simple as one might believe (ie. set up you tank, install the equipment, add water and fish).

If you are purchasing your aquarium from an LFS (local fish store) or a chain instead of "picking up your aquarium tonight" IMHO I would list the type of aquarium, the type of stand and the equipment which they are proposing to sell you in the next post and let the members of the forum provide you input.

The following link is a good place to start on cycling a tank (the first step in establishing a healthy environment for you fish):
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/bi...rogencycle.htm

TR

Thanks, I purchased a corner type unit (was used and it only had coral in it, will need to give it a good cleaning. There is still salt residue), 100G with 4' twin flouresant lights. It is more triangular in area then it is in height. That is all I have at the moment which leads to my next question?

I assume will need a heater, filter (looking at the new fluval, any good or should I look for something else???), and will I need some sort of aerator like a power head or just one that blows bubbles? Pet store said some fish don't like the current powerheads produce, and well of course gravel and decorations

woodenchef

I did not realize that you were talking about a saltwater setup.

I am completely useless here but there are several real saltwater guru's on the forum who will be able to help you.

TR

Hi, I am talking about freshwater. The person who used to have aquarium had salt water coral, but I am setting up for freshwater.

Sorry for the confusion!!!

I would very much like to help you in your endeavor but some of what you need I am not familiar with and a picture of your aquarium might be of some help also.

In this post I am also asking for some additional information (but I am trying to not overwhelm you with this request).

Might I suggest that after you have everything you believe to clean that you clean again with a mild chlorine solution for final disinfection.

If you are contemplating live plants in your tank (which I have for the extreme aesthetics which they provide) then
1) Please look on the bulbs and the ballast for descriptions including one which will be a number followed by the letter K and post your findings.
2) Your next decision will be "what you will put" in the bottom of your tank. I have laterite and gravel and a laminate thereof but many folks use a colored natural gravel or artificial gravel with tab fertilizers.

Yes and the following two threads may be of some help
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...highlight=heat
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...ghlight=heater

The two most common types of filtration equipment are HOB (Hang on Back) and cannister. [Biowheels are also becoming popular but are probably not feasible for your corner aquarium).
Another type of filtration equipment is termed wet/dry. IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) the wet/dry is the best but many, many folks will disagree and this filtration equipment is not typically recommended for folks who are first time fish keepers.
As you have purchased a "corner aquarium" I assume that if is a fairly nice aquarium which you will place in a corner and which has a tank which is supported by an enclosed stand.
I therefore believe that you will want cannister filtration as the cannister will be concealed by the enclosed stand.
My system is wet/dry but I do have very, very limited experience with cannister filtration which I employed for a brief period as tertiary filtration.
The filter which I used was an Eheim and I had good luck with it.
The following threads may be of some help in your procurement decision.
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...ight=cannister
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...nnister+filter
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...ight=cannister
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...ghlight=fluval
Please note that many members of this forum believe that the actual filtration provided by a cannister filter is approximately 50% to 75% of the rated filtration.

The following is a recent thread concerning aeration.
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...856&highlight=

Yes but some fish do (ie. Plecos).
The procurement determination of a powerhead should be based on the fish which you will ultimately stock.

Please post additional questions based on this post.
Also was the link to tank cycling beneficial?

You will be perfoming 25% weekly WC's (Water Changes) during and subsequent to cycling. You might consider this factor in the placement of your aquarium.

TR

thanks for all the info, i just went out and bought a eheim rated for 100g are you saying i should have bought something say rated for 150g if filteration is only 50 - 75%

Will a weak bleach solution be benificial in cleaning old salt residue???

I will send pics soon, yes it sits on a enclosed cabinet

thanks for all the info, i just went out and bought a eheim rated for 100g are you saying i should have bought something say rated for 150g if filteration is only 50 - 75%

Yes or preferably 200G.


Will a weak bleach solution be beneficial in cleaning old salt residue???

No.
The only things of which I am aware which will remove the salt residue is a good brush, hot water and elbow grease.
The mild chlorine solution is a "just to make sure its all gone" disinfectant.


I will send pics soon, yes it sits on a enclosed cabinet.

Thanks

TR