Well I bought some tanks!!!...now what??!! LOL

My name is Chad and I am recently new to Fishtank TV.
It has been years since I have kept up a fishtank!!!
I am 28 years old now and have never set up a tropical tank.
When I was younger, I had some goldfish, some frogs, etc.
But now I am wanting to set up my first tropical tank!!!

Recently, my niece set up a 20 gallon tall tank that my sister had at their house.

It didn't take too much of me seeing the tank and looking on YouTube and stuff to get me interested in fish!!! LOL!

So...I was looking on Facebook and came across a listing for some tanks, etc.
Needless to say...I came back home this past Saturday evening with a good bit of "stuff" in the back of a pickup truck!

I got what's supposed to be a 30 gallon tank (came with two fish, a Neon Tetra and some other type of Tetra I think?). It is a "Guardian" brand tank. "Eclipse" hood with built in filtration system and two lights (he said something about one light was for plants and the other was for fish or just light or something). (I am not familiar with these type of filter setups, I am used to more of a "Whisper" type filter from having something like that before). The setup also included a Cascade 500 canister filter (Also, of which I am not familar with... LOL...), heater, metal stand (that holds an upper and lower tank), a 20 gallon reptile/turtle tank (turtle included) that has one side with glass lower and plastic upper to house filter, hanging filter, heater, hood with light or lights ???, and misc. decorations, accessories, etc., etc. for the tanks. I picked all this up for $75.00... I thought it was a pretty good deal but I am open to comments regarding what you think. The most interesting pieces of decorations are two pieces of wood, dunno if its real or fake but it sure seems real. I am able to break little pieces off it but it has what looks like machine made holes for possibly planting???...so dunno...I am considering calling the previous owner to see if he can let me know more about them.

The tanks hadn't had a good bit of upkeep in awhile. Hopefully they will clean up pretty good. The two fish are at my sister's house in their 55 gallon they just recently set up. And as far as the turtle and that tank, etc. I am not exactly sure what I want to do with it yet...

But anyways, I am considering setting the 30 gallon up as a dirted and planted aquarium (sorry not uppty up on all the fish lingo ha ha!)

I have some ideas but I would like some input on ideas, suggestions, etc.

I think I want some shrimp but not real sure what type of fish. I like the smaller fish like Tetras but I also think I like Tiger Barbs.

I have been watching a good bit YouTube videos, looking up fish, reading, etc. etc.
I like to put a good bit of thought into what I do and I don't want to rush into everything all at once.

I am not looking to see how quick I can get a planted tank set up.
I am more into patience and planning.
Also, I'm not rich and don't have tons of money to sink into the hobby but at the same time I am willing to spend some money on stuff that I think I like or that I think may work. I am just wanting to do a good job with it and have a nice tank!!!

If you have any ideas, suggestions, etc. on getting a dirted, planted tropical tank set up please feel free to let me know!!! I feel like I am possibly at the right place to get some ideas!!!
If it helps you to have more details about the stuff that I purchased when giving me ideas/suggestions just let me know!!!

Thank you in advance for all the help!!!

Views: 81

Comment by Peter on June 12, 2013 at 11:16am
First step is deciding what style tank you want. Then if you want a low tech tank or high tech. The plants u want will affect the use of co2 and lights. If you decide to go low tech with easy plants and low light read up on Diana walstad she literally wrote the book on low tech self sustaining tanks. If you go high tech read up on ei dosing and t5ho lighting and pressurized co2. Also I woul add if ur planning on doing dirt remember that every time u move plants ull be kicking up dirt and will
Have to do extra work at the start up of tank like 50% waterchange everyday first week. But if u don't rescape alot ull get sweet results with dirt
Comment by Chad Williams on June 13, 2013 at 2:42am

Thank you so much for the input!
What do you mean by deciding what style tank you want???
Thanks!

Comment by Peter on June 13, 2013 at 11:14am
Theirs diff styles of tanks wen plants come into play. U can do a Dutch style tank, or a walstad tank, or a overgrown tank(jungle), or iwagumi style tank, or just planting randomly?
Comment by Chad Williams on June 14, 2013 at 3:31am

Thank you!

Comment by AquaNoob on June 14, 2013 at 8:32pm
Welcome (back) to the fish tank world! Sounds like you got some good deals!
Good idea on the shrimp. You will find they are super fun to have. Amano and Red Cherry shrimp are some of the easier ones to keep... But if you go with shrimp, I would difinity recommend sticking with smaller fish to accompany them or else the shrimp will get eaten.
In my opinion, planted tanks look amazing with a large number of small fish rather than a small number of big fish. Definitely google the crap out of everything that goes into your tank before buying. Good research pays off!

Maybe look into different kinds of rasbora species ;)

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