[JackBauer]

Hello,

My brother-in-law gave me his old 29 gallon aquarium the other day, complete with gravel, filter, and power head.

The filter is a Penn Plex (I think I spelled that right) 150. It doesn't have a cover, so it is exposed to the outside environment. First, is this the right size filter for this? Second, is there a problem not having a cover?

As far as the power head goes, what exactly is the purpose of that? He said it's supposed to help with water circulation to improve filtration, but from what I've read, that's mostly for undergravel filters. The employee at my local fish store said it wasn't necessary to have one. The reason I bring this up is because no matter what I do, for the life of me, I can't keep it suctioned to the side, plus it's kinda busted, so I'm wondering if I need one. If I don't NEED one, is there any benefit to having one? And if I do get one, how do I know what size to get?

Also, anyone have any recommendations as far as what to stock it with? The owner of the fish store set me up yesterday with 3 giant danios (small) and 3 white clouds. My kids I think would appreciate a nice mix of colors, sizes (as much as possible) and such.

Thanks!

 

[musho3210]

Ok just to get things straight, dont listen to your lfs anymore


The reason for this is that he set you up with giant danios and white clouds, first giant danios get big for the danios (hence the name giant), about 3-4 inches. Next white clouds are more of a coldwater fish than tropical which gives you a less amount of fish to use. The danios are a schooling species and should have six of its own species in the tank. You could keep the danios in the tank and only have 6 danios and nothing else but you might find that boring

Ok you answer your questions, having a hood is the best thing to do, with no hood bad things can fall into the tank or fish will jump out of the tank, danios are known to jump. Second it will help reduce evaporation. As for powerheads, you dont need one but its good to have one. Yes it does have more water circulation which can help the water become more oxygenated. Without a sponge attatchment it doesnt really filter the tank, just gives more oxygen for the biological filter in the tank.

If you want colorful lively fish, i would suggest tetras, guppies, platies, swordtails, rams (dwarf chichlids) and a few more possiblilities. You should return the fish you have and get some platies to start off with to cycle the tank. Once the tank is cycled then you can go on researching what to add next.

 

[JackBauer]

Now I feel really weird because I was reading on a local aquarium forum that this particular store is very highly recommended, the best in the area.

 

[musho3210]

the lfs might be best in area but that doesnt mean the staff is very good, my lfs has the best fish i have seen anywhere, there tanks look just like peoples home tanks and there are no overcrowding, but the staff there are just as bad as petsmart or petcos staff

 

[JackBauer]

I get what you're saying I think... but this was the owner that talked to me, not one of his staff.

As far as the power head goes, since I hear that will be a nice addition, what size do I need for 29 gallons?

 

[musho3210]

5 gph pumping, so..... 150 gph, you can do less or more but that is the average.

 

[JackBauer]

Thanks for the responses so far. Do you have any brand name recommendations for a power head, or maybe some brands to stay away from?

 

[musho3210]

stay away from all top fin products

 

[FDStation152]

You may wish to note that certain species of fish will not appreciate the addition of a powerhead to their environment. When setting up a tank you basically have two choices. Either select fish that will go well with the tank setup you have, or set up the tank to be compatible with the fish you want. Most fish do not require the additional current added by the powerhead and thus I would not spend to money on a new one unless you decided to buy a fish that would actually benefit from the additional current. You would do far better in most cases (in terms of water quality, oxygenation, fish comfort, etc) spending the money of live plants for the tank as opposed to the powerhead.

 

[Andyandsue]

I cycled my tank with 2 danios and 2 white clouds. I don't believe guppies are a great cycling fish. Once cycled, you can get a guppies with a gorgeous mix of colors, but they will need a heater. A tank full of colorful, happy guppies is really nice to look at.

I found this link all about guppies and it has a video of a colorful tank:
http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/livebearer_guppies/guppies.htm#top2

Add a snail and a few bottom feeding corys and- perfect!

 

[Tracy]

stay away from all top fin products

Ditto what musho said. I worked at a PetSmart (part-time); they do not provide training to their employees re: what the fishes needs are. And it's very hard to tell someone they cannot keep goldfish in a small tank, when the store sells 3 gallon tanks called "goldfish starter kits".

I had a horrible, personal experience with a TopFin heater. The thermostat quit within four months. I came home from work one day and all six fish and one snail in the aquarium had died because the water was as hot as a bath tub

 

[GalaxyGirl]

Add a snail and a few bottom feeding corys and- perfect!

My advice, would to not get a snail, unless you know that its a male or female (you cant do that right?) and thats its not pregnant. Which I still don't think you can do. Haha, anyways but I got a snail from my live plants I got, and it laid eggs, and now i'm finding snails all over the place, which they go directly to my chickens. But they can crawl out and get all over, and populate, and its just not nice.

As for filters, if money is an issue, go with an Aqua Clear 50, maybe 70. If its not an issue, then go with Penguin brand bio wheel.

 

[Tracy]

Galaxygirl: the snails you got from your plants are not the same as the Mystery snails or other large snails you can buy for your tank. They clean the algae. I know the pond snails reproduce at an unfortunate rate. Some fish, like clown loaches and dwarf puffers, will eat those tiny snails.

I've had a blue Mystery Snail (named "Blue" of course :wink: ) :wink: for a few months now. It has left those 'egg' things in the aquarium twice, but I still only have the one large blue mystery snail.

 

[musho3210]

If possible, i wouldnt go with the penguin models, go with the emperor models, they both use bio-wheels but the emperor's are much more effecient. They are both from marineland and if you cant afford the emperor, penguin is fine.

 

[JackBauer]

Man, I am getting more confused than I was before. So much conflicting information!

So, some people say I should get a power head, others not. If I did get one, where would it go? My brother-in-law said I should put it near the bottom, opposite the filter (long ways) so that it could push water along the tank towards the filter tube thing, to help water circulate better. But some of the stuff I've been reading for power heads say it is supposed to go near the top to help aerate the water.

Also, some people say that some fish might not appreciate the extra current. How do I know which would and which wouldn't? I haven't seen a listing for fish with an "Appreciates power head?" category.

 

[Tracy]

It's true, some fish do not appreciate the current. Fancy-tailed goldfish do not like the current, as well as other 'long-finned' fishes such as angels and fancy guppies.

 

[musho3210]

Heres what to do, go to your lfs or wherever you buy fish. Bring a pencil and a paper and look around at the tanks, every time you see a fish you like just write the name down. When you come home tell us all the names and we'll tell you if there compatable, if they like fast or slow current. Once youve found out what fish you want, then choose whether or not to use a powerhead. Hope that helps

 

[Lupin]

Man, I am getting more confused than I was before. So much conflicting information!

Lots of people you meet will always have different opinions. We have different experiences.

It's true, some fish do not appreciate the current. Fancy-tailed goldfish do not like the current, as well as other 'long-finned' fishes such as angels and fancy guppies.

Add to that the fact that angelfish came from still waters in Amazon along with discus. Any fish originating from still waters will definitely not appreciate the currents. Any fish from bodies of waters where currents are always present especially with river rapids will appreciate it.

Take note that places where there are lots of currents have very high oxygen level brought by too much surface agitation. Still waters have lower oxygen levels as there is barely any currents to allow production of oxygen.

Jack, the combination of white clouds and giant danios is fine but the giant danios living in a 29 gallons is not. As shoaling fish, they often travel in long distances so, IMO, a 29 gallons will not be appreciated. Being 10 cm in length, a tank of 4 feet or more is the best option for them.

 

[JackBauer]

Heres what to do, go to your lfs or wherever you buy fish. Bring a pencil and a paper and look around at the tanks, every time you see a fish you like just write the name down. When you come home tell us all the names and we'll tell you if there compatable, if they like fast or slow current. Once youve found out what fish you want, then choose whether or not to use a powerhead. Hope that helps

So I took your advice, and went and made a list!

Here it is (in no particular order):

Sunset variatus
Red Multicolored Guppy
Red Delta Guppy
Sunset or Sunburst Platy
Lemon Tetra
Neon Tetra
Glo-lite Tetra
Rainbow Shark
Red-tailed Black Shark
Tiger Barb
Cherry Barb
Marble Angelfish
Emperor Angelfish (just kidding, I wish)

My wife said she would like I guess mostly smaller fish, but with one bigger fish that would really stand out, so long as the bigger one wouldn't eat the smaller ones.

I really look forward to hearing some input from you guys.

 

[Lupin]

Here's the list of fish species that will fit in a 29 gallons tank. Try narrowing it down to your favorites.
Sunset variatus
Red Multicolored Guppy
Red Delta Guppy
Sunset or Sunburst Platy
Lemon Tetra
Neon Tetra
Glo-lite Tetra
Cherry Barb