Hey guys. Ok I need some help. Josh and I went to PetSmart. We saw a Top-Fin 10 gal. aquarium for 50 dollars. It was one that had a COMPLETE set up (heater, filter...etc) Would this be ok for the bubble eye, or...
should we just get a 10 gal aquarium only and get everything else separate (i.e. filter, heater...) I know the filter needs to be one that can go in the tank right? along with the heater.
If this would be better, please list some good, but cheap brands of filters and heaters that can go in the tank.
Also, do they have netting there that I may put over the filter...heater, etc?
Thank you for your help
Full Version: For A Bubble Eye...
a 10 gallon is ok if you just plan on having only 1 fish in there.
-when I got my 10 gallon, i got it at wal mart for $30, it came with a filter, hood, light, some food, water conditioner, and a net.
-they also sell heaters pretty cheap at wal mart.
as for the filter, the kind usually included in tank kits such as the one you mentioned are hang on the back type filters. If this is the case, you will not need to put a net over the filter tube unless your fish is extremely weak or extremely small.
-when I got my 10 gallon, i got it at wal mart for $30, it came with a filter, hood, light, some food, water conditioner, and a net.
-they also sell heaters pretty cheap at wal mart.
as for the filter, the kind usually included in tank kits such as the one you mentioned are hang on the back type filters. If this is the case, you will not need to put a net over the filter tube unless your fish is extremely weak or extremely small.
I had that kit.
The heater broke almost immediately.
The heater broke almost immediately.
yes, I only plan on having 1 fish in the tank. I think I just may plan on buying everything separately. I don't want to risk getting a complete tank set up and having it break.
But, if there are good complete tank set ups (the kind they sell all in one box) what is a good brand to get?
But, if there are good complete tank set ups (the kind they sell all in one box) what is a good brand to get?
QUOTE(shypoet83 @ Feb 13 2005, 12:09 PM)
yes, I only plan on having 1 fish in the tank. I think I just may plan on buying everything separately. I don't want to risk getting a complete tank set up and having it break.
Actually the hood still works (although I never used it) and the filter lasted me almost 4 years. I decided it was too small so I replaced it with a whisper 20 though. Now it's supplementing my big tank.
I have found that you really will save dollars if you buy the parts individually, for you can get exactly what you want. The kits are usually set up for minimum care of tropicals, and contain a filter that is not "goldfish" strength, as well as conditioners you may not need, tropical fish food, a tiny net and a minimal quality heater. Many 10 gallon kits also come with an incandecent light - you want a flourecent one - the incandecent makes waaaay too much heat. To replace a hood costs as much as the kit in the first place -so a kit like that is not worth it at all.
As far as filter intake - a net will not really do the trick. You need to be able to hold the fish away from the intake completely. A net over the intake would still allow a suction to occur between the fish's delicate bubble and the intake grate.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
I took a small piece of netting and fastened it over the basket onto the inner grate. I have also used wire to fasten others. Fiddle with it until you find a way you like.
As far as filter intake - a net will not really do the trick. You need to be able to hold the fish away from the intake completely. A net over the intake would still allow a suction to occur between the fish's delicate bubble and the intake grate.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
I took a small piece of netting and fastened it over the basket onto the inner grate. I have also used wire to fasten others. Fiddle with it until you find a way you like.
QUOTE(daryl @ Feb 13 2005, 12:19 PM)
As far as filter intake - a net will not really do the trick. You need to be able to hold the fish away from the intake completely. A net over the intake would still allow a suction to occur between the fish's delicate bubble and the intake grate.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
I'd rather just take an _aquarium safe_ sponge, cut a hole and slip it over. In addition to being soft and cushy, it's extra biological filtration. Even butter, buy (or make) a sponge filter. Safer than HOBs imo.
Besides, goldfish are notorious for sticking their heads in where it doesn't belong.
edit: Oh yeah, netting won't help, their bubbles will still get sucked.
QUOTE(Fishbert @ Feb 13 2005, 10:14 AM)
QUOTE(shypoet83 @ Feb 13 2005, 12:09 PM)
yes, I only plan on having 1 fish in the tank. I think I just may plan on buying everything separately. I don't want to risk getting a complete tank set up and having it break.
Actually the hood still works (although I never used it) and the filter lasted me almost 4 years. I decided it was too small so I replaced it with a whisper 20 though. Now it's supplementing my big tank.
oh ok
QUOTE(Fishbert @ Feb 13 2005, 10:26 AM)
QUOTE(daryl @ Feb 13 2005, 12:19 PM)
As far as filter intake - a net will not really do the trick. You need to be able to hold the fish away from the intake completely. A net over the intake would still allow a suction to occur between the fish's delicate bubble and the intake grate.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
Koko had a great idea - she took the little plastic basket that underwater plants are sold in and fastened it over the intake grate of the filter. This provided a "buuffer zone" between the intake grate and the grate of the basket. Even if the fish were to lean his bubbles up against the basket, there is enough distance between the inner grate and the basket grate that no suction can ever occur - preventing bubble damage.
My fish store will give you these baskets for free - for many plants die and they just throw the baskets away.
I'd rather just take an _aquarium safe_ sponge, cut a hole and slip it over. In addition to being soft and cushy, it's extra biological filtration. Even butter, buy (or make) a sponge filter. Safer than HOBs imo.
Besides, goldfish are notorious for sticking their heads in where it doesn't belong.
edit: Oh yeah, netting won't help, their bubbles will still get sucked.
ok...how would I go about making a sponge filter?
Search online, there are lots of ways. All it takes is a sponge, a powerhead, a tube, a drill and some silicone.
Or I mat filter. I'll try to find instructions on that.
Or I mat filter. I'll try to find instructions on that.
http://www.shubunkin.de/
Click on "Mattenfilter".
http://www.deters-ing.de/Filtertechnik/Filter.htm
I hope you can read German, because I sure can't.
It's completely safe, requires no drilling or stuff like that and can be filled with media. Once it's set up, java moss can be attached to make it look nice. But unless someone who knows German comes along, you'll have to stick to sponge filters.
You can find that foamy stuff here: http://www.lagunakoi.com/koishop/cgi-bin/h...r_supplies.html
Click on "Mattenfilter".
http://www.deters-ing.de/Filtertechnik/Filter.htm
I hope you can read German, because I sure can't.
It's completely safe, requires no drilling or stuff like that and can be filled with media. Once it's set up, java moss can be attached to make it look nice. But unless someone who knows German comes along, you'll have to stick to sponge filters.
You can find that foamy stuff here: http://www.lagunakoi.com/koishop/cgi-bin/h...r_supplies.html
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