Help With New Tank

[polar]

Hi all,

Well what better way to start new on a forum then with some very n00bish questions. I would love any help i could receive from all of you on this

Ok so im setting up a 55gal(210 ltr) Freshwater community tank. I dont intend to have it very planted, maybe two to three nice spread out plants.

Anyways my questions run with the lighting / substrate and filter

I want to have a sand substrate, i know it can be more work as it needs stirring up occasionally and more cleaning but im willing to to that to have the look it gives, i much prefer sand to gravel. Only thing is i have been doing a heap of research and have come up with "play sand" and "silica sand" as the ones to use. Now thats fine for overseas but i cant find Silica over here anywhere unless it comes under another name?
So my question is does anyone know what type/name of sand i should get and where from?

With lighting i really like a nice bright tank (aslong as theres hidey holes for those who need them in the column) Im looking to get something like Aqualina 2x55w P.C. lamps. Do you think this will be fine (considering the few plants intended) or do i need something bigger?

and lastley i want to get a canister filter and have been looking at a HW-303B with the uv steraliser. It does 1100 lph. Would this be enough for a 210 litre tank?

Anyways all thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions, any oppinions or help would be appreciated!

thanks
Dave

[Mjay~Fish-Freak]

g'day dave

in regards to lighting, it depends what plants you want to keep, some plants need more wpg( watts per gallon ) than others. i wouldn't buy the HW-303B, sun sun doesn't have the best reputation, i would look at the Aquaone CF1200, the fluval05 series, eheim is a good brand with some quality products, but has priced itself off the market, you want to turn over 5 to 6 times the amount of water in the tank. so for a 200 litre tank, something that pumps out 1000litres to 1200litres an hour is ideal, with sand you should just be able to buy sand from your fish shop, in 5, 10 and 20 kilo bags, personally i prefer gravel so i'm no expert on the sand.

hope this helps.

[CichlidFreak]

Hi,

In relation to your question about sand, as the above poster said, you should be able to buy sand from your local fish shop. The other place you can sometimes get it is at pool supply shops, but you have to make sure it has not been treated with anything first. Having sand isn't really that much extra work, if you do weekly water changes (which is the best thing to do) that should probably be all the stirring your sand will need.

I'm not too sure about the light as I'm not familiar with that brand and I don't keep live plants in my tanks so I can't help with that.

The filter you mentioned will be fine, but bigger is usually better in my opinion. If you can afford the next size up, go for it.

[joz]

An alternative to gravel is the triple washed white builders sand(silica).Its available from larger garden centers where they sell landscaping gravels and builders sands.It'd cost you about $5/bag/25kg.
It clouds the water when the tank is first filled but settles in about a day.This has no effect on the fis and is PH neutral.Also because its so fine debris won't penitrate it and just sits on top so it'll be easy to remove.But be careful not to have your cannister inlet to close as it's easily sucked up being so fine.The plants also seem to do well in it.
For plants I find Daylight flouro tubes the cheapest @ about $20-20 for 4'ers.They are usually a special order as most lighting stores don't stock them.

[polar]

Thanks all for your input!!

The silica sand is really what im after. I like the look of a nice white or light sand.



I am going to stear clear of the sun sun filter and go for a Fluval.

I am now thinking i will prob go a south american community tank and would like to include some dwarf cichlids. so need to do a heap more research into requirements as far as lighting.

again though thank you all , its been a big help and its nice to find a forum where everyone is quite friendly towards new people with n00b questions