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ok so im getting a 55 gal but do i need a serious filter setup like you know those side boxes with filters or can i just keep it in my room cause i have a bathroom right across the hall(literally) cause i need to know this i gotta have my room completly clean till i get my tank so tell me the deal with this im desperate i dont wanna get the tank and the equipment and screw it up right away by killing my plants and so i have to have my plants in there for about 3 weeks till i can add my fish cause im guessing that i can put my plants in there wait about a day and add my algae eaters BTW im [acronym="Fish Only With Plants"]FOWP[/acronym] so i would appreciate it if you could help me:88)

Yes, you need a filter for your tank.

Read up on cycling before you add any fish.

You might want to start out with some dainos (around 5) to start your cycle, then you can add the algae eaters later.

Hey Rudy, welcome to fishprofiles

yep, your gonna need a filter.
A canister filter would be good.

Just remember to cycle your tank.



Best of luck

Rudy,

If the bathroom is convenient to your room for filling your aquarium or draining your aquarium, it will be great. It may not be great for the other members of your family but it will be great for you!

I recommend looking at a cannister filter like an Eheim or a Fluval for your tank. A very good optionm for the money is a hang on the back (HOB) filter like the AquaClear. If you decide to go that route, I would choos two filters instead of one large filter.

Get your substrate in the tank and your plants. The maturation cycle without fish will take about a month. You can speed it up with additives.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I think an Emperor 400 would be the best. That think has serious sucking power And it is a mechanical has dual bio wheels ( i forgot the other thing it is but it is all the filter you need)

I'm with Bob on two filters instead of one. Breakdowns are infrequent, but they happen. I like the HOB's for convenience of cleaning.

I think Milleniums are nice. They won't disturb the surface as much as a biowheel would, imho. This is better for the plants.

aquaclears are a convenient for plants since you can use double foam instead of carbon insert. You could of course remove the carbon from anything but its easiest with aquaclear, or if you have the money a decent canister. Its all your choice. I run 2 emperor 400s on my 75 gallon but its not planted.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I saw 'remove the carbon pack and double the floss' what is the purpose of that? Is it better for the plants? jw, I recently added plants to my 30 gal and am planing a 55 soon.

carbon will take liquid fertilizers out of the water just as well as anything else. Extra foam will optimize the space in the filter for biological and mechanical filtration.

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