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Fisk Tank Questions Anonymous
So, I bought a 30gal fish tank for a really cheap price, but it is just the tank. There is no top or anything. I was wondering if that mattered. What could go wrong? Do they sell those separately? Do I need a filter for a tank that big? Anything I should worry about when I buy something to put the tank on? I calculated it to about 250lbs for 30gal. I was planning on making it a fresh water tank. Any other suggestions or comments?

Thanks
>> Anonymous
You don't REALLY need a top(hood), but it does cut down on water loss from evaporation. Depending on whether you want live plants or not(I would recommend them, really cuts down on water parameter fluctuations) you could buy a hood with built-in light from any pet store. If you want plants, you might need to look for stronger lighting, which I haven't found in most hoods. Filter-wise, you will need one, I'd suggest getting an AquaClear, as they're probably the most recommended from what I've seen, and they don't run too loud(unless you don't fill the tank high enough, >_<).
>> Anonymous
Luckily I worked at Petsmart for 2 years and actually know a bit. Yes, you do need a lid. One with a light is best. Many fish can jump out, that's why. And they are sold separately, for around $30 to $40. And you HAVE to have a filter, unless you want to clean the tank 3 times a week. Seriously, a filter will prevent a lot of stress. Get one for a 30 gal. Just make sure whatever you set it on is sturdy. Freshwater is easy and is best if you don't know what you're doing. Also, I recommend putting live plants in the tank (they're super cheap) because they provide oxygen to the water and keep it cleaner, plus its good for the fish. But set up the tank first and let it run for a week before you put fish in otherwise you will be very frustrated as the fish will die within a day. And don't overcrowd the tank when you do put fish in. And good luck!
>> Anonymous
>>301526
>But set up the tank first and let it run for a week before you put fish in otherwise you will be very frustrated as the fish will die within a day.

Probably a troll, but, to OP:
The cycling of a freshwater tank BEGINS when you PUT FISH IN. This starts the production of ammonias into the water, via fish waste/food. Obviously, you only want to put a small fraction of the tank's full stocking capacity (usually only a couple inches of fish per 10gal, depending on waterchanges), so fish don't die from the ammonia spike.

As beneficial bacteria begins to grow, the ammonia in the water begins to be converted to nitrite. The bacteria take ammonia and oxygen and convert it into nitrites and energy, which is why they hang out in the filter floss (high oxygenation).

The final step of the "cycling" process happens when the second group of beneficial bacteria grows, the bacteria that converts the toxic nitrites into nitrates. This whole process takes 6-8 weeks, not one week, and requires fish to be in the tank (unless you are doing a fishless cycle obviously).

Then, 10% weekly water changes are necessary to rid the tank of the nitrates before they reach critical levels.

Read: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
>> Anonymous
You're a troll.
>> Anonymous
>>301526
you don't need a lid, I keep all of my tanks lid less. actually rimless tanks are one of the in things right now as well. And as the person above me state, why the hell let the tank run for a week w/o any fish. it's not cycling at all, its just plain water w/o any nitrobacters
>> Anonymous
>>301683

Or you could do it cheaper and more humanely and do a fishless cycle. You use a source of ammonia (I'm using just plain old cleaning ammonia or even using fish food works) instead of fish. It's super easy, don't have to worry about having dead or sickly fish and you don't have to worry about frequent water changes.

More exact info can be found here http://www.fishforums.net and http://www.fishlesscycling.com

And I recommend the AquaClear power filters as well. They work well and what kind of filtration media you is very customizable. For a 30 gal get one that pushes at least 150 gph (generally its the gal size times 5.)

Fish are super addictive, good luck!
>> Anonymous
>>302116
>Fish are super addictive, good luck!
The real fun starts when you get into self-sustained aquariums. The epitomy of fish-keeping.
>> Anonymous
>>302199
>The epitomy of fish-keeping.

I don't think you know what epitome means.