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hey i was wondering if any body had some info/prefferences on which brand of filter, light airpump etc to use? preferably ones in australia? and also filters that are quiet and dont take up room in the tank..
i appreciate all your help

Hi!, and Welcome to Fish Profiles!

For filters, you might mention what size of tank you
have, or are looking to buy. For tanks below 55 gallons
in size, normally one would chose a HOB style filter. They
are plastic boxes that hang on the back of the aquarium.
For tanks 55G and larger the filter of choice would be
one of the Canister filters that sit on the floor outside
the tank.

Lights, you should decide if you are going to have a tank
full of plants or just a token "couple" of plants.

Look at the Planted Aquaria forum on this site and read
the "sticky note" at the top of the forum.

If you are using a "modern" HOB or if you are using a
canister filter, you really do not need an air pump. 90%
of those things are noisy and unless you are really
"in love" with the bubbles, they simply are unnecessary.

Most filters are powered by water pumps and they will
give you all the circulation and aeration that
is necessary in the tank.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hello Willy and welcome to FP also its great to see a new member voting.

Frank is correct what size is your tank? Are you looking particular for a internal filter if so look at the Eheim range. Canisters are a outside unit only the intake and outlet spray bar are on the inside, again Eheim.

Eheims are all excellent quality, reliable and extremely quiet. There are plenty of cheaper copies around but they are nowhere as near efficient, or of the same quality.

Lighting I have two "AquOne" twin light units on both my tanks and are a good quality units. Each has a plant and daylight tubes.

My filtration is a Eheim Pro11 for the 5ft and a small Aquaclear By Hagen for the 45lt.

All my air pumps are Rena excellent quality and run practically silent.

Now for the "extras" with a light it is advisable to get a 24hr timer "Bunnings" this will turn the lights on and off at regular times as a planted thank requires light from 10-12hrs per day this depends on you plants.

If you ask there are good sites to buy all this equipment a lot cheaper than any LFS.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

hey keithgh and frank thanks for the warm welcome..

well i currently have a 109ltr at the moment, which just has three gourami's and a algea eater..
i am in the process of researching about products and techniques for a 6foot(maybe bigger if i can find a cheap one?) but all the same it helps to know which products will do a good job and not stuff up in the middle of the night?

i currently have an aquaone 103f internal filter, aqua world 150watt heater, 1 aquaone 15000k (20wat) light and a aquaone 2500 air pump.. it has been set up for about three or so weeks now.. the internal filter is good but takes up abit of room in the tank and creates quite a water flow.

Willy

Check out the Aquaclear By Hagen HOB simple, easy to use, quiet, and not expensive. If you get a HOB go for the next size up it pays off in the long term.

One thing there is no such thing as a cheap tank. The cheaper tanks can easily be made from a second grade glass and unless you know about glass it is impossible to pick the difference. If you are in the Dandenong Vic are PM me and I will give you a contact to a tank maker.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hi,
You have the "wrong" light for a freshwater tank.
any bulb over 10,000K is designed for a saltwater tank
and in particular, for a reef tank. The corals and
clams that live in the reef tank must have that high a
"K" rating bulb to promote the growth of various algae
that they live off of.

The "ideal," "K" rating for a freshwater tank with plants
is between 6700 and as high as 10,000K, preferably around
8800K is best.

You should change out the hood and or bulb to something
more reasonable for a freshwater tank.

Keith's comments about "cheap" tanks is generally true.
There are certain brands of tanks that are regarded as
higher quality, than others. O'Dell is considered top
of the line in the states for mass produced aquariums.
ALL Glass tanks are the "norm" for mass produced aquariums
here in the States.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

keithgh

thanks for the tip on the hob filters, i will have to have a look around for some or would it be better finding one on the net?
im actually in qld, there is a site "aquariumsRus.com.au" that sells fish tank from brisbane and are quite cheap comparing to lfs prices.. check it out and see what you think?

frank
really will that k rating bulb start to create a layer of algea in my tank? could i just not leave it on for as long if so? that was just the bulb that came with the light..
i have a friend who owns a glass company so i could proly ask him about the quality of glass..
thanks willy

Willy
What I have always done had a good look around at the LFS's then when I have made up my mind order on line.

With aquariumsRus.com.au

Can you go there to see the tanks?
Also dont buy kits as 99% of them are sold to a price and this usually means lower quality items.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

alright thanks for the heads up.. i am trying to plan a trip to go and have a look at them but not really sure what il be looking at? you cant really tell if its good quality glass just by looking at it can you?

"ordering online" do you have a common site that is reliable? or just ebay?or would it be better going to the manufactures site?
thanks/:'

Willy

I do a lot of my ordering from
http://www.aquaticlifeaquariums.com.au/

Aquaticlifeaquariums

I ordered a lot of Seachem liquid ferts today and the delivery will be about the $9 mark. They are some times 30%-40% less than most LFS

Another place first time I ordered just out of Melb 24hr delivery best price for a Eheim Jager heater.
Reef Shop

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hi,
You and I are talking about two different types of algae.
You are worried about the pesky green stuff that comes in
a variety of forms and can be a real nuisance in a fresh
water tank.
http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

In my post suggesting that you had the right lights for a
saltwater tank, especially one with corals and invertebrates,
I was saying that lights with a "K" rating over 10,000K was
necessary for the saltwater tank.
Clams and other invertebrates require that type of light
(light that mimics the direct, overhead sunlight at a
tropical latitude) for algae to grow. The algae forms a
symbiotic relationship with them and gives them their
vibrant coloration.

http://www.aquacon.com/clams.html

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

keithgh
thanks for the links, i will have to compare the prices with my lfs,
Frank
oh ok then very interesting links i will keep an eye out for a less 'k' rating bulb thanks for the heads ups..

Frank
this is a paragraph from an article off http://www.cichlid-forum.com. just thought id send this and see what you thought?

The lights should be fluorescent for three main reasons. Firstly, fluorescent lights provide the correct spectrum of light for healthy growth of the fish. Secondly, they do not generate as much heat as incandescent bulbs that could potentially heat the water to dangerous levels. Thirdly, they bring out the natural color of your fish more. However, the fluorescent lighting should not be too bright as very bright lighting can wash out the colors of your fish in addition to irritating them. I find the whiter the light the better. A 10,000K and up bulb will work best.