calling the freshwater people

[aztbs]

My sister in Illinois is wanting to set up a 20 gallon freshwater tank for my nieces (6 and 3yrs old). She will be taking care of it but it is for the kids. It will probably have mollies or tetras and bubbling Spongebob decorations, plastic plants, rainbow colored gravel, etc.

I am hoping to help them save some money on the set up, but I want them to set this up right. If you have any extra equipment that would be good for a tank like this and would be willing to consider trades for corals or reasonable amounts of cash, let me know!

Any tips would be appreciated. I haven't set up a new freshwater tank in many years and I know things have changed. Thanks in advance!

[jpslickorocks]

I have a fluval 204 that is locked in my trunk that I cannot get open. If I can get it out you can have it.

[OceanLyons]

I have stuff...

a ton of plastic plants needing to be cleaned, random HOB filters (would have to look to see what's here), plastic castle (courtesy of Evolust), and some other odds and ends

I can either bring you a box in Tempe during my break, or you can stop by my house.

Don't have lights or a heater (that I trust ).

Will clear PMs in just a moment.

[soni]

i thought all you could do with freshwater was add salt to it for a reef tank. Fish is freshwater? Who woulda thought!

[JMCAquarium]

Originally posted by aztbs
My sister in Illinois is wanting to set up a 20 gallon freshwater tank for my nieces (6 and 3yrs old). She will be taking care of it but it is for the kids. It will probably have mollies or tetras and bubbling Spongebob decorations, plastic plants, rainbow colored gravel, etc.

I am hoping to help them save some money on the set up, but I want them to set this up right. If you have any extra equipment that would be good for a tank like this and would be willing to consider trades for corals or reasonable amounts of cash, let me know!

Any tips would be appreciated. I haven't set up a new freshwater tank in many years and I know things have changed. Thanks in advance!

Your mailing these items to her ???
After all these guys get what ever it is their going to give you let me know what you fall short on. I have all kinds of item's since it's what I do.

[jraducha]

I have a ton of new plants and little things for a fresh tank..air pumps, airstones.. ect let me know what you want..

[aztbs]

J - bring that car over when there is still daylight and I am sure Bill could get in to it. Probably have to take the back seat out.

OL - sending you a PM

JMC - I am flying back there for xmas, so I will bring stuff with me.

jrad - I could use an air pump or two, where in phx are you located?

Right now, I think they have tank and lights. I am looking for filtration - a quiet hang on type would be good. Do people still use Undergravel filters? I think I have a heater that will work. Does anyone have tips on the best way to cycle the tank without live fish? I used cocktail shrimp to start the cycle in the salt water tank - I assume that would work the same in the fresh environment. I am trying to find someone in that area that may have a filter pad from a mature setup to help kick off the bacteria.

Setting up a tank is fun.

[OceanLyons]

No undergravel filters! I had one. Had nitrate problems. Removed it. All ok now. You wouldn't believe the nasty gunk that was under there.

I could run some filter floss, then give it to you to take back.

[widefx]

Originally posted by aztbs


Right now, I think they have tank and lights. I am looking for filtration - a quiet hang on type would be good. Do people still use Undergravel filters? I think I have a heater that will work. Does anyone have tips on the best way to cycle the tank without live fish? I used cocktail shrimp to start the cycle in the salt water tank - I assume that would work the same in the fresh environment. I am trying to find someone in that area that may have a filter pad from a mature setup to help kick off the bacteria.

Setting up a tank is fun.

I set up a FW tank for my son about 3 months ago and I cycled the tank by putting in some fish food. Ran it for 2 weeks with nothing in it and then added wild feeder guppies after a water change. These guppies are a lot tuffer than the fancy tailed. Left then in for 3 weeks gave them back to the fish store and then added Angel fish that are breeding every 6 weeks now. The biggest mistake I think that was made is I started the tank on pure RODI water which did not have enough GH in it actually it had none. I now just use RO and the tank is doing very well. For filtration I have a real small HOB filter that I only run carbon in. I do water changes of 25% every 2 weeks on this tank.

[Doglover_50]

agree with denny, I have a 75 gallon at home. All they will need is a good HOB filter (I do all 3 types of filtration), and depending on what type of fish, a small powerhead for a little current. I'd also suggest a glass top to prevent jumping. good luck! I would suggest just using tap water.

[oct2274]

if you do run an undergravel filter run it in reverse flow that'll keep the nasties out from under it and another hob filter will pull out the rest with no issues.

[OwenInAZ]

I have a bucket somewheres in the garage with the stuff I outgrew in freshwater. Let me know if you end up needing stuff -- if I can help out I will.

In terms of filtration, for a 20 gallon a HOB is all that's needed, with some carbon and weekly or biweekly water changes of ~5-10%. Any LFS will sell a bacteria starter culture that you can dump in to quickstart the cycle, with a small amount of flake food you should be good. Or just throw in some cheapies like a 10 cent goldfish that you can take out after a week (goldfish are nasty fish, and will give you lots of nitrogen and carbon to start your bacterial colonies).

[OwenInAZ]

Oh, if you want the next time I clean out my canister filter I can save some of the effluent