55 gallon - basic equipment?

[martonic]

Hi - I am brand new and contemplating getting a 55 gallon (48 x 13 x 19 inches high) tank for my son! Of course I will go slow, change the water, change media as needed, do cycling and test the water a lot!

Now,to include both plants and fish (freshwater only), what range of equipment (approximately) is appropriate:

A) Heating: how many watts total? One heater, two, or more? One 100 Watt heater on each side plus a 25 Watt coil in the bottom? Or... ?

B) Lighting: is the "All Glass Aquarium: Standard Aquarium Spectrum" fluorescent lighting useful? Or is "Actinic" spectrum needed for plants. Or?

Also, about how many total watts of lighting is needed to support both live plants and small fish?

C) Filtration: Bio-Wheel or Canister? Fluval 405? Emperor 400? Something else?

Is it better to use one powerful filter, or two moderate filters?

What do you guys suggest?

D) Is a separate "quarantine" tank necessary when (slowly) stocking up?

E) Finally, how do you heat up the water for a water change?

Okay, those are my questions to start! I would like to have some idea what I am getting into beforehand.

Thank you!

[cocoa_pleco]

A) you should have 250 watts
B) It depends if you want plants, but actinics are reef only
C) i would say use a fluval 405 canister and a small HOB
D) If you want you can use a quarantine
E) Use tapwater and try to get it lukewarm

[Rue]

E) Finally, how do you heat up the water for a water change?

As a rule you don't need to heat up the water for a change, unless you're doing 50% or more. But if you're at all concerned, it's best to heat up cold water in buckets. Hot water taps can still contain harmful dissolved materials that are toxic to fish. And unless you test your hot water, you can't know exactly what's in it.

I use water that's been sitting at room temperature.

[brookesy1982]

Why not use a fluval 305? that should be adiquate for a 55 gallon tank. I currently have a juwell 190 trigon and I'm having a few problems with filteration. Looking to change the filter system

[KcEE]

I'd go for a canister and a HOB. Fluval or Ehiem for the canister. And don't worry about over-filtering. You also have to get proper substrate for your plants. And if you do want to get alot of plants or plants that require high lighting, you will need C02 as well.