What Kind Of Equipment to Get For My 30 Gallon Tank

[Sjsteveo]

I'm thinking of Starting a 30 gallon tank for F8

I think i can put 2 in it right?

and if so what kind of equipment do i need?

i'm always confused about filters what brand is the best? and what model should i get?

i'm going to put fake plants in it. so i think i'm going to get gravel, or i hear some people crushed coral?

basically i need help deciding what filter, and what other xtra equipment do i need, such as a power head or what so ever

THANKS GUYS I LOVE YOU ALL

[Phaedrus]

You could probably have 3 or 4 F8s in a well designed 30g. 2 or 3 would be a lot safer.

For substrate, I'd suggest aragonite sand or crushed coral if you prefer. It will help maintain a steady pH which can be difficult in low end brackish environments like those prefered by F8s.

You'll also need some marine mix and a refractometer to measure your salinity. Stay away from hydrometers, they are not worth it and are IMO obsolete.

Excellent filtration is very important. I'd suggest a canister style filter over any other. I like Fluvals personally and have been very happy with them. Eheim are also very popular and very highly regarded. Others like Rena. For a 30g tank, I'd suggest a Fluval 205 or even 305.

If you'd prefer to go with a cheaper option, I'd suggest Aquaclear Hang On Back style filters.

The important thing is to look for a filter rated above what your tank actually is. Their ratings are generally wishful thinking.

[Hilly]

2 F8's will go in there nicely.

You will need a filter preferably rated bigger than the tank to provide overfiltration.

Preference in filters are down to personal taste, usually on the good and bad experiences people have had with them in the past.
While some people will swear by Fluval filters others dont like them and say prefer Eheims or Rena's.

An internal or external filter and a heater rated for your tank are compulsory on the shopping list.

You wont need a powerhead.

An Aragonite sand substrate will buffer your Ph to 8 which the F8's will appreciate.

[Sjsteveo]

soo
you would suggest me NOT to buy the whole packed tank with all the crap in it already but to purchase just the tank it self and other stuff seperatly?

soo so far

1. Fluval 305
2. aragonite sand or crushed coral
3. refractometer
4. i hear instant ocean? or whatever it is, is better than like aquarium salt?
5. heater, soo what type of heater? any specific preferd brand?

basically i want the best equipment as possible for my 30 Gallon tank, soo money isn't a problem i just want the best for them

[Hilly]

Fluval 305 will do a tank twice your size so no problems with overfiltration there.

Definitely marine salt not aquarium salt.

Can't advise you on the heaters as over in the USA/Canada they seem to be different brands to over here, someone will be able to recommend good ones though.

Everything else sounds good.

[Sjsteveo]

Phaedrus and Hilly THANKS A BUNCH,

so with a fluval 305 sits on the ground right?
so it's better if i buy something with a cabnet in the bottom and put the 30 gallon on top instead of just a table right?

[Hilly]

Yep it goes under the tank.

A cabinet would be preferably with a cupboard in the bottom so you can hide everything away. Drill a hole through the back and all pipework goes up the back hidden away.

You could either buy one or if you're a bit DIY handy build one yourself.

[Boxermom]

I use VisiTherm Stealth heaters. FYI, drsfostersmith.com still has their sale going on and you can save a lot of money. They don't charge extra for heavy items like a lot of places do, either.

[Sjsteveo]

thanks gusy i can't wait, just gotta wait utnil my mom gets back from vacation

[jake_vdb]

I use VisiTherm Stealth heaters. FYI, drsfostersmith.com still has their sale going on and you can save a lot of money. They don't charge extra for heavy items like a lot of places do, either.

I second the Visi-Therm Stealths. I just ordered my third. My first was a replacement for a cheaper heater that would only keep the temp +/- 2 degrees. Which IMO is not good enough. With the two stealths I've had for quite some time, the temp never changes.

While I agree that the canister filters are better in general, I think it's hard to justify the price. The Fluval 205 from drsfostersmith.com is $95 with a flow rate of 180 gph. An Aquaclear 70 is $29 and flows 300 gph. I realize the canister will have more bio media capacity, etc. but if you are on a budget the Aquaclear is a great choice. I won't even start on how much easier the HOBs are to clean.

[Boxermom]

HOBs aren't easier to clean than the Rena XP series, which is one reason I like them better than the Eheim and Fluvals. They are much easier to clean and maintain, work just as well IMO, and are a helluvalot cheaper.

[Hilly]

LOL, I could see this coming a mile off. Nothing like a thread about equipment to start a good debate.

[Sjsteveo]

uhhhh hmmmmmmmm sooooo LOL I totally don't know what to get now LOL, i just want something that can keep the water clean as good as possible, or the most beneficial to my up coming F8

[Boxermom]

Rena, Rena, Rena. XP1 would be great for your tank.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 2004+22777

[Phaedrus]

I just setup a Fluval 205 for a 30g cube and have a 304 running on a 55g. Love them so far.

The x05 series was just recently released, so you may be able to find some really good deals on the x04 models.

Whatever you choose, you likely will not be disapointed. So far all brands being recommended to you are of great quality and only differ in the details.

As for heaters, I like Marineland brand heaters.