(Part 3) Top products from r/aquarium

I guess for first tanks, start kits seems like the easiest way to go. From my experience to save some money are (although with this hobby, you can't save that much money, haha) to buy the tank during the Petco sale, and buy all the equipment online (Amazon is a good place).

So if you buy each part separately:

$29 = 29G tank -Petco

$10 = Heater -Amazon

$15 = Whisper 30 -Amazon

$15 = [DIY Sliding Aquarium Top] (http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26447-Submersible-50-Watt-Heater/dp/B000OQO69Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396577787&sr=8-2&keywords=tetra+heater)


$69 = Total

Not much more expensive than the kit. The 29G comes with a mail in rebate that I'm don't know if it works with your purchases online or not. If it works, you'll get back $10 for the filter and $4 for the heater. Bringing your total to $55.

I would actually buy a more powerful filter than the one included. Probably one rated for two times stronger. A lot of people like aquaclear filters - I don't have personal experience with it but I will buy one next time I need a filter.

You're going to need stronger lights anyways, so I didn't include the light costs.

This is just my opinion! You can do what you'd like for your tank :)

I use a syphon hose. Right here on amazon

I would like to add that I live in Spokane,WA. And use tap water every time.

After every water change I treat my water with Stress Coat

I own 1 Oscar, 1 Red Jewel Cichlid, 1 Convict and 1 Pleco in my 75g.

As far as moving the fish, nothing changes when you go bigger. The steps listed above are perfect. My best advice is, if the fish store can hold the fish for you until you set up your tank at home, do that. Other than that you're just at a race against time from the moment the fish go into the bags. You benefit from being close to your LFS, so don't worry! And post pics when its done!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tetra-Heater-10-30-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/10291809

http://www.amazon.com/Cascade%C2%AE-Heat%C2%AE-Aquarium-Heater-Gallon/dp/B000VOCXUK

http://www.petco.com/product/114078/Tetra-Submersible-Aquarium-Heaters.aspx

Most 30 gallon heaters will be less than 20$. Just go buy one and your options for the tank will open up so much more. You can find plenty of cold water varieties(their are a couple species of barbs and locahes that don't mind or even love cold water) but tropical species are just so much more enjoyable to watch.

But if you are dead set on a cold water tank:

Barbs:
Gold Barb
Rosy Barb
Green Barb

Loaches:
Weather loach(might get to big, and can be aggressive towards other fish)
Hillstream Loach

Tetras(although they definitely like warm water better they can tolerate cold water conditions):
Bloodfin tetra
Buenos Aires Tetra

Danios:(these fish will school well if you have 6 ot 7 of them in a 30 gallon tank, especially if you have a SMALLER powerhead to make a current of some sort)
Pearl danio
Zebra danio

There is also guppies, they will survive anything.

10 Gallon Tank w/ Endlers Livebearers

1x 10 gallon tank empty tank without hood $10

2x Super Bright clip on LEDs from ebay $14

3x 5lbs gravel bags $10

1x 25 watt heater $10

1x Aqueon Filter $12

Dual Sponge Filter and Air Pump $15

Endlers The worlds best fish!

Endlers are prolific, colorful, rare, and have a better persoanlity than chicilids (I have both)

I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 10 gallons, personally. I have a really hard time keeping the water parameters where I like them on my 10 gallon.

10 gallons is nice because you aren't limited to just one fish, which is what you would be limited to with anything smaller.

I would recommend a 10 gallon and letting your son pick out the decorations, and put in a few anubias or easy-care plants into the gravel.

As far as your heater goes, I would recommend an adjustable one rather than a single-temp. Additionally, for ease of accurate readings I would buy a digital thermometer.

For filtration, I really like the Marineland hang on the back filters, such as this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Penguin-Power-Filter-70-Gallon/dp/B0009IMDQM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414876612&sr=8-2&keywords=marineland+filter

And for lighting, it all depends on if you decide you want real plants or fake plants - fake plants, any old lighting will work. If you want real plants, I'd recommend the Finnex planted+. I bought a Finnex RayII for my 37gallon and it's too much light, so I'm not getting the growth I'd like since I don't have a CO2 system.

There is not enough oxygen in the water. Get a bubbler or another filter that can add more oxygen to the water. thats why theyre jumping out.

remember that water temp changes (by a few degrees) is alot for fish. when im changing the temperature from 80 to 76 it takes me about 2 weeks. Its a very slow process. I would recommend getting this, and this . It makes water changes a breeze. The first is a must if you're lugging water. The second is amazing. I use it because i have extremely mineral heavy water and it really works, I've been doing water changes with these for over two years and I haven't had any issues. The advantage of the tap adapter is that you can add hot water until the water temperature reads the same as the water in the tank.

The filter eliminates 99% chlorine. There are other filters that are cheaper but i haven't found another that eliminates chlorine as well. For good measure you can still add half a dose of stress coat +.

As far as equipment goes, get an AquaClear 20 (or 30) filter, an Aqueon (or other reliable brand, I've used Hydor with good luck) ADJUSTABLE heater. A thermometer. The lights you get depends on what you plan on doing with your tank. You're also going to need a water testing kit, a dechlorinator (most people will recommend Seachem Prime).

Is this going to be your first aquarium?

I honestly am unsure but from personal experience, I recently got these (2 needed) for my 55 and used the bulbs it came with. My plants are flourishing but it has also caused a free floating algae bloom.

this one works great with flakes

https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Feeder-Programmable-Automatic-Dispenser/dp/B001F2117I

Get this stuff works amazing! Ultralife Blue Green Slime Stain Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QSK31M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YVL4Bb80BM0SH

hob - aquaclear 20 is really quiet

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hybrid: KollerCraft TOM Rapids Mini Canister Filter

link:

http://www.amazon.com/KollerCraft-Rapids-Mini-Canister-Filter/dp/B000YJ0M1E/ref=sr_1_50?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1463721894&sr=1-50&keywords=sunsun+canister+filter

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Canister: Eheim: http://www.amazon.com/EHEIM-Classic-External-Canister-Filter/dp/B0002AQXTA/ref=sr_1_14?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1463722046&sr=1-14&keywords=canister+filter


or if you need to save a few bucks:
SUNSUN HW-602B

suggest putting foam around the pump portion of this one, as it is known to vibrate a little...

You could always try a snail trap. I hear they work pretty well

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00178JB36/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537541450&sr=8-1&keywords=snail+trap&dpPl=1&dpID=51lDMeYnJ-L&ref=plSrch

Pan World 40PX Magnetic Water Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GIGPSQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YkKNzb9WT1KZ8

I have this rock https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IK5TJU4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And this sand https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000YJMYPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also bought 2 pieces of Live fiji rock from a local fish store

i found all the parts on amazon, they’re just separate

Python No Spill Fish Tank Flow Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KAb0CbX622T12
Python Aquarium Pump Female Connector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fBb0CbRVXE5ZA
Python Aquarium Pump Male Connector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ABb0CbSE8N6CY