What do i need to set up my freshwater aqarium?

Question

Ok i Know i need a filter...how does an undergravel filter work??..and what is a powerhead...and with the water changes how do i change the water if it has chlorine and ammonia...do i dechlorinate the new water it in a bucket than dump it in the tank??? ...are giant Gourami's any good??? what fish can i put in a 40 gallon tank that will grow big...thanks

Answer 1

Giant gouramis are just that - giant! A store near me has one in a 3 1/2 foot high 8 foot diameter indoor pond with acrylic panels so you can see inside. The fish is over 2 feet and still growing. You won't be able to keep one in a 40 gallon and expect it to live it's full life span. See this on giants: http://www.timstropicals.com/Inventory/Gourami/GiantGouramiInfo.asp

An undergravel filter sits on the bottom of the tank and uses air (airpump and airstone) or a powerhead (submersible pump) to move water through the gravel and filter plate. When they were first introduced, they were only used with air. An airstone created bubbles which flow upward, bringing water with it, so water under the plate as replaced by water pulled down through the gravel from above. Bacteria that convert the ammonia and nitrite to nitrate colonize the gravel, so by moving the water through it, it allowed more ammonia and nitrite to be converted. The problem was, it also pulled down solids, which would build up under the plate, so there could be areas where the water wasn't flowing (and noxious gasses would build up which could eventually be released into the rest of the tank), so you'd have to pull it up and clean under the plate a few times a year. Now, reversible powerheads make the water flow the opposite direction, so the ammonia and nitrite still get converted by the bacteria, but solids are blown up out of the gravel so your hang-on tank can remove them.

Here's what a powerhead looks like: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/24405/product.web - all these basically do is circulate water and add dissolved oxygen to your tank, although you can buy filter attachments for them or use them with an undergravel filter.

When you do a water change, you're removing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate from your tank. The chlorine or chloramine will be in your tapwater. You should find out from your water supplier (if you're on public water) which they use. You can let water with chlorine stand 24 hrs to get riid of it, or you can buy products to remove these chemically. I use 5 gallon buckets for getting the water ready (and up to the correct temperature) before I put it in the tank.

As far as what you can put into a 40 gallon - there are lots of choices. Take a look at some possibilities from communities 7 and 8 in this link: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm Not all of these will be appropriate for a 40 gallon (some will still be too large to keep to their adult size), so you'll have to decide if you want something that will be able to live in the tank it's entire life, or if you will upgrade to a larger tank in the future. You can look at this link as well for the species that interest you - it gives a recommended miminum tank size for each type of fish: http://www.liveaquaria.com/

Answer 2

wow thats a lot of questions in one -- i would recommend a power filter for you -- i like marinelands penguin filters because they seem to be the quietest. undergravel filters are kind of oldschool and not that effective.

there are lots of gouramis that would be better for you than giants -- try blues, golds, opalines, or even snakeskins. giant gouramis will grow to about 2' -- you need a BIG tank -- like 100 gallons not 40.

the biggest fish i would keep in a 40 would be angelfish, discus or severum -- they have tall bodies so a smaller tank works ok. you could go brackish and keep monos and scats too.

Answer 3

i don,t know where u got your fish tank but go 2 a pet shop that does fish and let them help u spend your money yesgouramis r good there several types but they r terriotorial ps watch your tempertures and no no chlorineabout ammonia the right filter will take care of good luck make sure the water temps r tha same in tha water u add and tank do it slow ok in a 40 gal tank you can get 4 inch fish if u keep it to 20 fish less fish bigger fish get it?

Answer 4

well i just want to point out if you want fish that grow big, i strongly advice you to get at least a 150 gallon tank, 40 gal is nothing and will cause big fishes spine to curve and deform while they grow.

btw giant Gourami is bad for a 40 gal tank, they grow up to 27"