I am soft of a newbie, I currently have a 10 gal tank, but am starting a 60 gal hex freshwater. I have some questions though, what is the best type of heater??? The room where the tank is setup can change 10 degs, so I want to make sure that I get a good quality heater. Another question is I have heard that to cycle the tank I should use some of the water from my 10 gal., any +/- to that. And my final q, at least for now, what water quality testing should be done ideally. I currently test pH, NO[sub]2[/sub] and NH[sub]3[/sub]. Thanks for the Info!!!!
q's on Starting a new 60 gal Hex Tank
- Thread starter hhierl
- Start date
Welcome to the board.
Can you please tell us what you intend to keep in your 60 gallon? Are you going to keep big fish, little fish, community fishes, live plants etc. What equipment are you going to get in terms of filtration and lighting? Once we know this, we can help you even more.
Also, you can help your cycling by using the gravel you have and the filter that is running. This is where are the beneficial bacteria is.
Can you please tell us what you intend to keep in your 60 gallon? Are you going to keep big fish, little fish, community fishes, live plants etc. What equipment are you going to get in terms of filtration and lighting? Once we know this, we can help you even more.
Also, you can help your cycling by using the gravel you have and the filter that is running. This is where are the beneficial bacteria is.
My fiilter is a Magnum pro 350 with 1 biowheel currently, but I will be installing the second once the new hood is built. I will be using flouresenct lighting, right now it has what ever type of f lights that came with the hood. As for the fish, I haven't decided much on besides the few that I do already have, 1 platy, 2 rosy barbs, 2 glass fish, 2 danios, and 1 algea eater. The rosy barbs will probably be the largest fish or I may keep them where they are and get some angel fish. As for plants, I was thinking of getting some, probably will need to find some that will grow in low light. My idea is to plant some in the driftwood which will be the centerpiece in the tank, so the plants would be closer to the light. I hope that this is enough information.
BTW the tank dimensions are 22in on the sides and 30in high
BTW the tank dimensions are 22in on the sides and 30in high
With such a big tank I would get some bigger fish. I would suggest angels, discus, or pearl gouramis for the stars of the tank. Then add some peaceful schoolers and cleaners (that are too big to be eaten) to that and maybe some rams (dwarf cichlids). Of the fish you already have (from the 10 gallon I assume) you could put the platy (add some friends). Danios are too hyper I think and would freak out your stars. If your algae-eater is the chinese type, don't add it. If it is a siamese or an oto, it could go in. Rosy barbs are too nippy I think. I've heard that glassfish really need brackish water to thrive.
Anubias, java fern, and java moss do good in low light and like to be attached to driftwood/rocks instead of being rooted in the gravel. Water wisteria, vals, and crypts and some good ones to plant in the gravel. The water wisteria can also be left floating on the surface. The house plant pothos can also be used under water in a low light tank. You can let it float or wrap it around the driftwood to get it to stay in one place.
Anubias, java fern, and java moss do good in low light and like to be attached to driftwood/rocks instead of being rooted in the gravel. Water wisteria, vals, and crypts and some good ones to plant in the gravel. The water wisteria can also be left floating on the surface. The house plant pothos can also be used under water in a low light tank. You can let it float or wrap it around the driftwood to get it to stay in one place.
Well sorry to tell you I usually don't need a heater in my tank cause I am in California. My lights do heat up the tank a lot though. But the best heaters are probably Ebo-Jager heaters or Visitherms. But most people recommend the Ebo-Jager heaters because they are the most reliable. With a 60 gallon tank, I would stick with the 200-300 Watt variety.
Ebo's are fine , butI love my renal excels. They do the job well for the little bit more you pay.
I would not buy one at a LFS, but online as it will save you at least $10 or more.
300 watt is what I use on my 55 and it keeps the water nice at night during the winter.
-- for your fish.
I had problems with java moss..and rosy barbs. They like to toss it like a salad ..it ends up in my filter and floates all over.
Java fern, elodia(anacharis) hornwort ,onion plant all did fine with a single strip before I got more lighting. I added no ferts either. My 6 rosys bite at the plants(except bocopa and swords), but they all grow so fast I just consider it prunning and through it out.
I would not buy one at a LFS, but online as it will save you at least $10 or more.
300 watt is what I use on my 55 and it keeps the water nice at night during the winter.
-- for your fish.
I had problems with java moss..and rosy barbs. They like to toss it like a salad ..it ends up in my filter and floates all over.
Java fern, elodia(anacharis) hornwort ,onion plant all did fine with a single strip before I got more lighting. I added no ferts either. My 6 rosys bite at the plants(except bocopa and swords), but they all grow so fast I just consider it prunning and through it out.