New 55Gal. Tank..Help!

[SLO-Dean]

I got a FABULOUS Deal for a 55gal. tank with Oak stand (hood and light) for $199

Now....what do I add? What kind of Filtration?
It's gonna be a planted tank. I'm gonna have schooling fish (my 29gal is over-crowded)

I have a Penguin 170 Bio Wheel in my 29 gal.
But, I was thinking I might want a cannister on this large tank, also I thought maybe the "hang on" filter would interfere with attatching additional lighting.

any suggestions?

Substrate?

 

[Abercrombie6202]

okay get two heaters, preferbly tronic or ebo-jaber i think that's what u call them, i'd get a magnum canister filter they are veyr good!!!

 

[Orion]

Florite for a substraite if you want to keep a lot of plants.

 

[sinasster]

Personally i would get a fluval 304. You dont want much surface movement for a planted tahk, so stay awy from the HOB filters

 

[AmazonTankz]

Yeah, I got a emporer 400 for my planted tank dispite lots of advice,and it does make to much surface movement. I thought if the water level was high enough it would be fine but either way, it makes lots of bubbles. Just spend the extra money and get a cannister. You don't want to end up like me, I'll probably have to go back to plastic.

 

[fishaddict]

Id say that if you feel like spending the money to go for an eheim 2026 pro 2. Im still waiting for mine to arrive but its great from all ive read. Im using a 2013 on it now that just isnt up for it. If you dont have monet to throw around then maybe go with a smaller eheim filter. If not then maybe you could try the eheim 2233 ecco for 60 gallons or the 2235 for 80 gallons. I think the pro 2 has a flow control which might come in handy for the plants. Im also going to have a miniature planted tank so i think thats a great feature.

 

[jaws2]

i have a 55 with a good floresnt light and 2 whisper 3s. they are about $50 but a relible filter.

 

[SLO-Dean]

I just bought the canopy to go with it at another store for $75.

And a Hagen Powerhead 301 ($26.99) plus filter attatchment ($9.99) this is what they use on the planted tank at their store and it looks great. He said it's easy to adjust the flow and you can attatch the CO2 for good dispersion. Don't need much filtration in a planted, but wanted to get some water movement for the schooling fish.

The canopy will make it alot easier to add lighting as I can attatch the lights to the lid.

 

[circuitdragon]

hrm, I didn't know surface movement affected plants...but mine is the HOB type, and both of my tanks use them. The way of controlling their water flow level is by adjusting the water intake tube. Just a thought...now I need to go find info about surface movement and plants

 

[SLO-Dean]

too much movement just disturbs plants, I noticed leaves coming off.
Also, the more surface movement the faster you lose CO2

Thanks for the advice gang.

I do use an HOB on my 29gal. and it's worked ok. (except for losing plants under the water return.