OK, I know that sounds stupid, but all I have ever done are the cheapo wal-mart, petco fish. I am looking for some good online sources for identifying freshwater fish, or even setting up a good planted tank. I have been reading here some. Are there any informative sites about the freshwater arena? As far as setting up a tank that is best suited for the fish? Thanks for any help you can throw my way.
New to Freshwater
- Thread starter GumbyBC
- Start date
We are the best site to get all the information as far as I am concerned. Any questions you have fell free to ask away and I am sure one of many of our members will have great answers for you. Welcome aboard. 
Thanks for the welcome. OK, so the question on my mind right now is substrate. What are the ins and outs of substrate? I am not really a fan of the small rocks that everyone sells. Is there a good sand substrate that can be used for fresh water tanks?
Specialty filters? Are hang-on power filters enough for a small tank with a light bio-load? What about a larger bio-load?
Planted tanks? I have seen so many planted tanks that are just as amazing as a full blown reef. What are the requirements to keep a successful planted tank? A good source for freshwater plants?
I think that is a start. I am sure I will have more questions that arise. Thanks again.
Specialty filters? Are hang-on power filters enough for a small tank with a light bio-load? What about a larger bio-load?
Planted tanks? I have seen so many planted tanks that are just as amazing as a full blown reef. What are the requirements to keep a successful planted tank? A good source for freshwater plants?
I think that is a start. I am sure I will have more questions that arise. Thanks again.
Howdy & Welcome to MFK,
First of all, I moved your thread to the set up forum, it has a better home here
For some more information than this thread mmight yield, I recommend the search option on this website. It will show you old threads and lots of opinions. There are some reoccurring themes, like sand as substrate, that you might want to read up on. Or just trust my expert opinions 
Play sand from a home inprovement store (anyone else? Rallysman? )
I am a canister guy, and I would never recommend anything but an Eheim filter. It pays off greatly throughout the years. You read about Rena or Fluval failing, but I have yet to hear about an Eheim biting the dust...
Check out our planted tank forum. Lots of info there. Some fish do not tolerate plants, but for those which do, it provides a nicer environment and also helps with water quality. And it looks great. Use some substrate fertilizer in your sand (sand is great for plants). Again, check out also old threads in the plants forum
Again, welcome here at MFK!
HarleyK
First of all, I moved your thread to the set up forum, it has a better home here
For some more information than this thread mmight yield, I recommend the search option on this website. It will show you old threads and lots of opinions. There are some reoccurring themes, like sand as substrate, that you might want to read up on. Or just trust my expert opinions GumbyBC said:
Play sand from a home inprovement store
(anyone else? Rallysman? )GumbyBC said:
I am a canister guy, and I would never recommend anything but an Eheim filter. It pays off greatly throughout the years. You read about Rena or Fluval failing, but I have yet to hear about an Eheim biting the dust...
GumbyBC said:
Check out our planted tank forum. Lots of info there. Some fish do not tolerate plants, but for those which do, it provides a nicer environment and also helps with water quality. And it looks great. Use some substrate fertilizer in your sand (sand is great for plants). Again, check out also old threads in the plants forum
Again, welcome here at MFK!
HarleyK
I am not a fan of sand but I also tend to use a UGF as part of my system, If you use sand clean it well and use a somewhat large grained, heavy sand. Several people suggest pool filter sand. Avoid marine sands as they contain high levels of calcium and can harden your water.
I prefer a small grained gravel. The main problem with gravel is that the larger the stones the more detritus it traps.
Except for specialty tanks silt or mud should be avoided.
Han ons are adequete for tanks that size but if you increase the bioload I suggest you either add a UGF or use to hang ons, each rated for at least the size of your tank. the one fault I find with hang ons is they contain too little biomedia. Canisters are much better on that but a little harder to service and pricier.
Start with easy keeper plants as they do not require extra CO2, etc.
I prefer a small grained gravel. The main problem with gravel is that the larger the stones the more detritus it traps.
Except for specialty tanks silt or mud should be avoided.
Han ons are adequete for tanks that size but if you increase the bioload I suggest you either add a UGF or use to hang ons, each rated for at least the size of your tank. the one fault I find with hang ons is they contain too little biomedia. Canisters are much better on that but a little harder to service and pricier.
Start with easy keeper plants as they do not require extra CO2, etc.
HarleyK said:Howdy Gumby,
Sand is the perfect substrate for freshwater, as long as you don't have an undergravel fiilter. Fish & plants love sand. Sand is our friend
HarleyK
sand is the enemy when it gets in your trunks
