Old Timer - New Aquarium

[Donno]

My budget is not unlimited, but it is in the area that I can afford the things that will make for a good aquarium.

1. What filter should I buy?
2. What heater should I buy?
3. What substrate should I buy?

I have a good idea of what fish I want to put in the tank. I've lost touch with what are the good filters, heaters etc. to use these days. I understand that things have changed quite a bit in 25 years since I last had an aquarium.

I just want some advice about what to use.

[PhillipOrigami]

Once again, for substrate we need to know about plants.
If you want to grow chuck-norris super plants, getting a 6 bulb t5ho fixture and dirting it may be the way to go.
I reccommend Eco-Complete by CaribSea.
In case you had not noticed, we already told you both heater and filter-
EHIEM Classic for 159g/Fluval 406.
Heater- EHIEM Jager or Marineland Visi therm.

If you can afford stuff, I would get the highest quality tank raised fish by private breeders ;)
What fish? We need to know more.

[Cliff]

There's been a few suggestions for filtration and heaters already

I would suggest taking a look on E-bay for a good deal on either of them, you can't go wrong with those suggested filters.

[Northerly]

You probably won't make it out alive if you have only $500 to spend on things other than the tank.

not true it just wont have 400 dollars worth of filtration on it.

[Lady Hobbs]

Plant Light

http://www.petmountain.com/product/a...reshwater.html

Free shipping $102

Filters

Rena XP3

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquari...r-Filters.aspx

Free shipping $130.00

AquaClear 110

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquari...r-Filters.aspx

$75 Free shipping

Heater

300 watt......submersible of some kind with auto shut-off

Plant Substrate

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Freshw...trate_p/ss.htm

$75........6 gallons (5 gallon pail is perfect for a 55 gallon but you might need 7-8)

There ya go! $500 or a bit less for both filters, heater, plant light and subtrate

[mermaidwannabe]

Don't forget the dechlorinator! Set aside some of that money for Seachem's Prime and Seachem's Stability (to boost bacteria in the filter), and try to seed the new tank with media from a stable aquarium, if you can.

I would also purchase a test kit -- API's master freshwater kit.

Also, a thermometer and a good heater if you're going tropical.

-- mermaidwannabe

[Donno]

Plant Light

http://www.petmountain.com/product/a...reshwater.html

Free shipping $102

Filters

Rena XP3

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquari...r-Filters.aspx

Free shipping $130.00

AquaClear 110

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquari...r-Filters.aspx

$75 Free shipping

Heater

300 watt......submersible of some kind with auto shut-off

Plant Substrate

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Freshw...trate_p/ss.htm

$75........6 gallons (5 gallon pail is perfect for a 55 gallon but you might need 7-8)

There ya go! $500 or a bit less for both filters, heater, plant light and subtrate

Thankyou, you have given me the advice that I was looking for!

[Lady Hobbs]

Welcome. I rather enjoyed shopping on your dime. :)

Nearly everything in his hobby can be purchased online cheaper than from the stores. There are a few that are pretty good places to shop but PetSolutions.com is where I shop most and ThatPetPlace.com is another that I use.

You can make or have someone build you a fish tank stand very cheaply.

[Donno]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm going to look at a 75 gallon tommorrow from Craigslist thats listed at $75 obo. I think I can get it for $50-$60, just that much more to spend on everything else.

I think I'll have a very nice aquarium when its all said and done.

[Donno]

I'll start a journal on here when I get my tank and start setting it up. It should be fun!