Planning stages of next tank

[hyunelan2]

I'm in the early planning stages of planning my new aquarium, and would like some comments on equipment for it. I don't actually plan on having everything up and running until probably the 1st of 2006. It's easier to buy a little bit at a time for me, than to go spend thousands all at once. It will be a freshwater tank, and my focus is going to be a tropical community, especially rainbowfish. Plants are not a serious importance, I have a couple, but they tend to get eaten up from time to time.

The tank I'm planning on is the AGA 92g Corner Bowfront, but may change to the 54g corner, as the 92 is 2x the cost - and to be honest, I don't think I'll be able to wait that long. My current setup is an Eclipse tank, so all the equipment is non-transferrable. I will be getting the Stand, Tank, and Light fixture together, but everything else will be seperate purchases.

I purchased 2 H.O.T. Magnum Canister filters (couldn't pass them up, $35 for the pair, used 4 months) that I would like to use. Does the H.O.T. have to hang on the tank, or can I run hoses to it down below? If these are no good, I'll ebay them for something else. I would also like a biowheel on this tank, and will need a good reliable QUIET air pump. I hate the noisey air pump I have now.

Aesthetics are of crucial importance, as this will be in the corner of the living room. I don't want things sticking out all over the place. The more I can put under the aquarium, the better. Any comments, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cshepard]

If you want quiet and esthetically uncomplicated, as well as extremely effecient, get a cannister filter. One filter stored underneath, two hoses into the tank. The eheim 2026, while expensive is utterly silent.

I bought a Tetra deep water pump which was advertised as very quiet and it's not, IMO, so I can't advise you on a quiet air pump.

I'd try to save up for the 92 BF. You'll be glad to have the bigger tank in the long run. I was saving up for a 90g bowfront and at the last minute switched to a rectangular 120g which was actually cheaper and I'm so glad I got the larger tank, except now even it doesn't seem large enough!

 

[OCCFan023]

Yea I dont know about running houses to the HOT Mags below the tank but Idk if that could work, or if its worth it.


As shepard said, your best option for silent and out of site is a eheim or eheim pro of some sort. There great filters and youll be glad you got them. There expensive but it will be well worth the money.

 

[Lotus]

I'm not sure the hoses would work, as I think there wouldn't be enough pump power if it's not designed for that.

The HOT are nice if you need to polish the water or remove green water with the micron filtration. Maybe you want to think about using one HOT and a canister filter. Our HOT really didn't look too bad on the tank as the hood hid it. Of course, you can also hook up a HOT to a biowheel with the adaptor.

 

[longtyme68]

Hyunelan2 ~ I am leaning more and more towards revamping an inherited 55 gallon. Good luck with your project as I will be working on mine.

 

[hyunelan2]

I'm leaning more and more towards the 54G. I was at petsmart last night picking up some Eclipse Filters and was looking at a 36g of the same shape... I don't think a 92g is going to fit well in the corner I have for it, but the 54 should be good.

 

[longtyme68]

Well it is good to hear that you are making educated decisions. A lot better than buying of a whim as my fiancee does all too often. It should be interesting to see how this project turns out.