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55g Light & Filter Assistance-Leslie

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Leslie, Jul 2, 2009.

  1. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    As you all know i am getting a 55 gal. im getting it today. i need help getting lights & filtering. i have no clue where to start. i need lots of help. and im trying to not spent all my money.
     
    Leslie, Jul 2, 2009
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    Will it be a planted tank ?

    What type of fish are you going to keep ?

    Both of these questions will determine the filter(s) and lighting needed.
     
    Anthony, Jul 2, 2009
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  3. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    Your cheapest route for lights would be go down to Lowe's and get you a 4' shop light. They may even have some on clearance. For example, I just picked up a couple more 48" T8 for $15. All you have to do is buy the bulbs. Just figure out what you want to do with and how you want it to be. DIY can be sooooo much fun...and inexpensive to boot.
     
    James0816, Jul 2, 2009
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  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    48" light (shop light Walmart about $12) or (Ebay,craiglist, etc)
    200W heater (Ebay, Aquabid, etc)
    Thermometer (Coralife has a nice digital that's only about $6)
    Cheapest substrate would be Pea Gravel or Sand
    Background ($1 tree plastic banquet tablecloth in party section...or shower curtain)
    Decoration (Walmart-->Strawberry pot for center...and could always get terra cotta little containers and strategically place them)
    Aeration (get a airpump online, check valve at Wal-mart and airstone at wal-mart or online)
    Filtration (here's where I would spend the money imo)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 2, 2009
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  5. Stellaluna

    Stellaluna New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    A great filter for the money is the Rena Filstar XP4. If you have adequate filtration then you do not need any type of air pump/bubbler apparatus, unless you like bubbles. You could also get away with an XP3 if you are not stocking heavily.

    As Anthony says above, though, it depends on what your plans are for the tank. You can get very cheap strip lights at Walmart, like you'd install under kitchen cabinets, for example, that will not be so bright that you have algae issues, unless you are planting this tank, when the shop light is definitely perfect for a 55.

    And like Dawn says, spend your money on the filter, and you can skimp on the other stuff for now. The filter needs to run 24/7, 365, so your tank's health depends on the quality of filtration.

    Congrats!
     
    Stellaluna, Jul 2, 2009
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  6. littledane

    littledane Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    i bought my 48" shop light from walmart for less than $10. walmart even has 48" plant and aquarium bulbs for like $5 a peice. then went to lowes and bought some chain and hung it from the ceiling. with my glass tops it looks good.
     
    littledane, Jul 2, 2009
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  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    we'll need photos for proof littledane. Lol!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 3, 2009
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  8. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    If it's so cheap I wonder if the quality is any good ! :eek:
     
    Guidoman888, Jul 3, 2009
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  9. littledane

    littledane Member

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    littledane, Jul 3, 2009
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  10. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    I used a shop light on my Cichlid tank up north. I don't remember how much it cost me but it wasn't much. Then I went to the pet store and bought the bulbs for it.
     
    Anthony, Jul 3, 2009
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    looks good to me!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 3, 2009
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  12. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    Indeed it does. That´s pretty sweet then!
     
    Guidoman888, Jul 3, 2009
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  13. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    so how do i make a light? i found one at walmart for 10$
     
    Leslie, Jul 5, 2009
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  14. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    Also i seen a marinelad filter up to 70 gals. it was 38.00$$$ is that a good one and price?
     
    Leslie, Jul 5, 2009
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  15. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    i am think ofbuyng this filter. like right now. its a penn plax cascade 300 power filter. good or no..
     
    Leslie, Jul 5, 2009
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  16. gsoul55

    gsoul55 New Member

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    Re: lighting & filtering for a 55 help needed

    Your best bet would be an aquaclear 110. That's all you would need on the tank. The penn plax foam'cotton clogs up to fast an can't really re-use it. The aquaclear foam you can just keep rinsing off in a bucket of your water change water and re-use it. The foam is heavy duty and will last for a year plus as it doesn't breakdown to easily. So you will save a lot of money over the course of a year right there. The penn-plax need to be replaced at least once every 2-3 months.I've seen them on aquabid or e-bay for as low as $45 plus another $10 or so for shipping.
     
    gsoul55, Jul 5, 2009
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