Reddit reviews Aqueon Aquarium AAG29020 Versa Top, 20-Inch

Just buy a separate lid. Versa are really common. They have them at my local shop (I got a 5.5g, 10g, and 30g lid from there) and I've had success ordering one for a 2.5g before.

For a standard 20" long 10 gallon: https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-AAG29020-Versa-20-Inch/dp/B0002AS7ZI

Okay say you want to start with a 10g due to space constraints. Thats okay, its a nice starter size. Easy to work with space, easy water changes, just not a lot of livestock but thats okay we can concentrate on plants.


10g: $14

Stand: ..depending on what kind you get, used, material, etc etc lets say $25-40

Glass top: maybe $20 or so http://www.amazon.com/All-Glass-Aquarium-AAG29020-20-Inch/dp/B0002AS7ZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398525732&sr=8-1&keywords=glass+top

Light: also depends on what kind you get. Low easy set up? A light might just be $20. Something higher power? $50+~~~? I have a fugeray on my 10g http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-FugeRay-Aquarium-Moonlights-12-Inch/dp/B007URQQMC



Substrate: I'd keep it basic and stick with ecocomplete, fluorite, or whatever popular commercial ones are out there. $20 a bag.

Root tabs, fertilizer, CO2 supplement: Dont need it, helpful, $15-20+

Driftwood: You can get nice cheap ones like malaysian and mopani starting at $4-10... depending on size. Then theres fancier ones like manzanita, grapewood, etc that can be $20 a piece.


Heater: $20

Thermometer: $2-4

Liquid Test kit: for checking water parameters, highly recommended. $30

Tetra safestart or bottle of ammonia: To either jumpstart cycle or doing a fishless cycle $4-10

Filter: Really depends on what you are planning to get too. If you are doing simple, low amount of fish, like 5-8 little ones or shrimp.. no problem with getting a basic 10g aqueon or tetra filter.. $16-20 If you know you'll be putting in a lil bit more or want a bit more customization, the aquaclears are very very nice $20-30. For SUPER cleaning, a canister filter (theres many different brands) but the price does go up and it needs to be placed under the tank- like in the tank stand. $50-100. Getting filters rated for higher than your tank is a good idea, but something TOO high will cause crazy water flow issues. I had a 20g with a aquaclear filter for a 110g tank and it worked fine for me. But the water coming out of the filter might have blown stem plants all crazy if I had plants in there.




Plants: $1-?? depending on quantity, quality, rarity. I often buy from local sellers or hobbyists at theplantedtank forums.
Fish: ??? up to you

CO2 setup: Optional. Can be DIY yeast set up which costs a few bucks to hundreds of dollars for fancy equipment.

Otocinclus Catfish are small algae eating armored catfish that get about 2 inches long. They are shy, peaceful fish that eat algae. You can compare them to a dwarf pleco pretty much.
There is no need to QT plants and I'm not sure what you mean by which way the stems will grow out from. The only thing I can think of is that you're asking which way you should plant the seeds? Plants always grow towards the light, so you should have no problems there. I would recommend starting with plants that are already grown though. This way, even if you have low lighting, they'll be a decent size and you won't have to wait ages for them to grow.

I see you have new questions! Here we go:

• Aqueon Versa top lids will fit pretty much any tank. If you get a standard 10g you can order this and it will work fine for you. As for lighting, I use this. It grows my plants ridiculously fast and also has blue lights for nighttime use. It as adjustable "feet" so it's guaranteed to fit your aquarium.
  
• I would suggest a Aquaclear 20 or Marineland Filter for your tank. Aquaclear is pretty much the best thing ever. If you're worried about flow, there is a slide option on the top that will reduce the amount of water coming out. You can set it to whatever you like.
  
• Tannins are a compound found in plants, this will not hurt your fish at all. However, if not removed, the tannins will color your water yellow. I haven't seen pre-soaked driftwood in petsmart/petco. You can try ordering it online and simply boiling it or soaking for a few weeks to get the tannins out.
  
• I make bullet points by clicking the bullets option above the comment box, this may be a feature of reddit RES though. You can make bullets simply by typing * and putting a space behind it.

Think I am going with this method. I have 2 pieces of glass that were a part of an old tank I should be able to make it work if i cut it properly.

Aquarium heater

Aquarium filter

The glass tops come with a plastic adjustment backing, all you have to do is cut out pieces so that you only have space for your heater and filter in the back. I added a few other links that I hope you can access.

Plant Light

Glass lid

I really like the way that glass hoods look. I think you can usually get them for a little cheaper at a petco/petsmart.

If you want to go super cheap look up diy cfl aquarium lighting. I have a Finnex planted + and love it, but they are a little pricy.

I'd just buy everything separately, because aquarium kits often lack in the quality department unless you get a really nice one - like the fluval tanks. Really depends on what tank you get though.

I have this lid and this light on my 10g.

Hmm most glass lids ive seen and own have a plastic piece along the back that you can cut to accommodate filters and such. Like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AS7ZI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523235399&sr=8-1&keywords=aquarium+glass+lid

Here are great products for the 2.5 gallon aquarium.
Aquatop Caf 10 sponge filter: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Aquatop+Caf+10+sponge+filter

Cobalt Aquatics 5 watt heater (depending upon how cold the office gets in the different seasons): https://www.amazon.com/Cobalt-Aquatics-Mini-Therm-Heater-watt/dp/B0090I7RC2/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526348775&sr=sr-1&keywords=cobalt+aquatics+mini-therm+heater%2C+5+watt

Aqueon Versa Top lid for 2.5 gal (this one is the wrong size but look for the 2.5 gal size for your tank: https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-AAG29020-Versa-20-Inch/dp/B0002AS7ZI/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1526348866&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=aqueon+versa+top+lid+for+2.5+gal+fish+tank ) You will need this lid so that your Betta doesn't jump out accidentally and it needs that water to be to the top for it's maximum 2.5 gallons.

I have 3 tanks that size with lids. You will have to find a LFS that has one. Good luck!

If its just a standard rectangular 10G, a 20" versatop will fit and is a nice option. You can just put whatever LED light you choose right on top, or you can stick a florescent in the fixture you already have and set that on top.

Get a glass lid that fits the 10g, and then you can use any light you want, including a table lamp even...

https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-AAG29020-Versa-20-Inch/dp/B0002AS7ZI/

A glass top should leave enough room for the filter. You should be able to get one at just about any pet store.

You can purchase a glass flip lid that only leaves a small portion of the surface open in the back for gas exchange and filters that actually does a really good job with blocking a ton of evaporation.

So this is what I've found from looking into lids since I'm not a fan of hoods:

I have a plastic lid on my 7.5 gallon and the moisture causes it to bow down in the middle. I just flip it over every week to keep it to a minimum. I think this would be more pronounced on a 20 gallon, though it would obviously depend on the thickness and type.

You could get a glass lid (similar to this). It has a hinge and the back 2in or so are plastic so you can cut out holes for filters/cords and such, or you could remove that part altogether. On mine, the back 2in are left empty for the same reasons, and I still have suicidal fish :(

I've seen people use egg crate and plastic light diffuser panels that they've trimmed down to size. The latter is nice because it keeps condensation down (because of the little spikes) but creates a lot of issues with lighting (since it diffuses it...)

I do like the "night light" feature on that hood, however I did intend on having live plants. Are there any plants that will survive/thrive in the light provided by a hood like that? I'm not opposed to fake plants I suppose, but was surprised to hear that the LED lighting on this wouldn't be enough for live plants. One reviewer says "I think it would work with plants, but you might need one more light kit. This would give you better light for the whole tank"... but how would you even add more lights onto a hood like that?

I guess I'm just a bit confused looking at all these lights online. I'm guessing if I don't get a hood, my other choice would be a strip light and some sort of glass aquarium top like this? -- do you think that and a stronger(?) LED light would be sufficient for live plants? I just don't want to spend too much on lighting for such a small unit.

edit: Couldn't find any T5s in 20" so now I'm considering getting a modular Aqueon light and two additional LED strips