jplee3
New member
Hey guys,
I'm ramping up on more research for my [mostly aquatic] newt tank. I'm either going to stock it with firebellied newts or spanish ribbed newts - I'm still debating on which ones I want in it.
In either case, I want to make sure I get it cycled before introducing anything into it. I'm leaning towards a submersible Duetto filter for my 20gal tank but I'm not sure if I should get a 50 or 100 (http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=180297). I hear both are great but that the 50 won't be sufficient for anything over 10gal. Of course, I'm not planning to fill my tank up to max capacity either, so would it be sufficient enough?
I was also planning to pickup some smooth stones (prob 1-2" in diameter) to line the bottom of the tank - will this introduce a hassle with live plants or cleaning versus using gravel or smaller rocks?? I'm also considering a couple of larger artifacts for hiding. Here's the items I'm on the lookout for:
stones to line the bottom of the tank:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1092359
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1092375
larger objects to hide in and around:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=716278
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=144860
Once I decide on which of those items I want, I'm going to start looking around for some live plants. And I'd probably need a decent light setup for the top of the tank too... not to mention a screen cover. This is really going to add up!!!
I've looked around here in the forums and there are *so* many options out there. I just wanted to hear/see what some of your guys' experiences are besides just looking at pictures (i.e. your processes for cycling the tank, the steps you took to set it up, etc). Thanks in advance!
p.s. also, in terms of cycling and testing the water, do you guys generally use those master test kits? If so, which test kit is the best or would be sufficient for testing all the levels?
I'm ramping up on more research for my [mostly aquatic] newt tank. I'm either going to stock it with firebellied newts or spanish ribbed newts - I'm still debating on which ones I want in it.
In either case, I want to make sure I get it cycled before introducing anything into it. I'm leaning towards a submersible Duetto filter for my 20gal tank but I'm not sure if I should get a 50 or 100 (http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=180297). I hear both are great but that the 50 won't be sufficient for anything over 10gal. Of course, I'm not planning to fill my tank up to max capacity either, so would it be sufficient enough?
I was also planning to pickup some smooth stones (prob 1-2" in diameter) to line the bottom of the tank - will this introduce a hassle with live plants or cleaning versus using gravel or smaller rocks?? I'm also considering a couple of larger artifacts for hiding. Here's the items I'm on the lookout for:
stones to line the bottom of the tank:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1092359
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1092375
larger objects to hide in and around:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=716278
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=144860
Once I decide on which of those items I want, I'm going to start looking around for some live plants. And I'd probably need a decent light setup for the top of the tank too... not to mention a screen cover. This is really going to add up!!!
I've looked around here in the forums and there are *so* many options out there. I just wanted to hear/see what some of your guys' experiences are besides just looking at pictures (i.e. your processes for cycling the tank, the steps you took to set it up, etc). Thanks in advance!
p.s. also, in terms of cycling and testing the water, do you guys generally use those master test kits? If so, which test kit is the best or would be sufficient for testing all the levels?