Filters~
Your filter should have an adequate GPH flow rate. For Hang On Back filters (also known as HOB, or HOT, for Hang on Tank), you'll want 8-10 times the total volume of your tank, at the least. For Canister Filters, you'll only need 4-6 times the total volume of your tank for the turn over rate. Feel free to round up for both types, as needed.
AquaClear
Very good brand, and relatively cheap. They recently changed the names of the different sizes, so just be sure you get the right size. They have adjustable flow rates, and are easily baffled.
AquaTech
This is a MarineLand made filter, just for WalMart. The 5-15 gallon one is wonderful, and is only $10. Great for smaller tanks, or to use next to a larger one on larger tanks. I had one last me about 5 years, before it finally crapped out. I have not yet used the larger ones. Great for the price, as far as I'm concerned.
TopFin
The PetSmart store brand. I currently have one of these on my 5.5 gallon PetSmart tank kit. Its not too bad. Not sure on the price, since it came with the tank. Its a bit noisy (the lib vibrates), but other than that, its a pretty good little filter. The media chamber is nice and big, allowing more versatility when it comes to what you want to put in it. Not sure if I'd actually buy one outright, but I'll use the one I have as long as it works, or is fixable.
Tetra 3i
Great for small tanks, this is an air pump driven filter that I like to use in fry tanks. It comes with a 3 gallon air pump, but buy a slightly larger air pump, and it can be good for up to 10 gallons, provided you keep up on water changes. I use one of these with a 5-15 gallon air pump on a 5 gallon tank with a halfmoon betta.
Very good brand, and relatively cheap. They recently changed the names of the different sizes, so just be sure you get the right size. They have adjustable flow rates, and are easily baffled.
AquaTech
This is a MarineLand made filter, just for WalMart. The 5-15 gallon one is wonderful, and is only $10. Great for smaller tanks, or to use next to a larger one on larger tanks. I had one last me about 5 years, before it finally crapped out. I have not yet used the larger ones. Great for the price, as far as I'm concerned.
TopFin
The PetSmart store brand. I currently have one of these on my 5.5 gallon PetSmart tank kit. Its not too bad. Not sure on the price, since it came with the tank. Its a bit noisy (the lib vibrates), but other than that, its a pretty good little filter. The media chamber is nice and big, allowing more versatility when it comes to what you want to put in it. Not sure if I'd actually buy one outright, but I'll use the one I have as long as it works, or is fixable.
Tetra 3i
Great for small tanks, this is an air pump driven filter that I like to use in fry tanks. It comes with a 3 gallon air pump, but buy a slightly larger air pump, and it can be good for up to 10 gallons, provided you keep up on water changes. I use one of these with a 5-15 gallon air pump on a 5 gallon tank with a halfmoon betta.
Heaters~
Heaters are a very important part of the aquarium, even for temperate fish, such as Goldfish. They keep the temp stable, and constant.
Tetra Presets
Tetra makes these pretty nice small heaters. They were originally only sold at WalMart, but I've seen them starting to pop up at PetCo in a different package. These are good for small tanks, and come in two different sizes. I have 3 of these, and they are great. Keeps the water at exactly 78*. Only down side is the "preset" part. Raising the heat is a good way to fight off diseases, such as Ich. However, these are cheap, and get the job done nicely.
Aqueon
I've only had a very short experience with one of these, but it was very good, aside from the fact that I got lucky, and bought one that sprung a teeny leak. It kept the water at the temp I set it to, and never fluctuated. I ended up returning it, because it was concerned about the water building up in it. If I had the money, I would have bought another one, but I wanted something a bit cheaper. When I have the money again, I'll certainly buy another one. I've heard nothing but good things about them.
Hagen Mini Elite Submersible
Hugest piece of poop I've ever owned! Not only could it not hold the temp steady, the temperature dial didn't have any numbers, so it was a guessing game every day trying to play with it to get the temp I wanted. Once I finally found 79*, it would fluctuate up to 2* either way. It also started oozing out this awkward white stuff. Returned less than a week after purchase. After further research, these heaters a prone to random exploding. Not one of Hagen's finest products.
Hydro Theo
Great heater. The one I had was several years old, yucky hard water stains all over it, missing the bottom rubber bit that kept it from touching the glass, and had clearly seen better days before it worked its way to me, but still works like a charm. Love it! Very good heater.
Tetra makes these pretty nice small heaters. They were originally only sold at WalMart, but I've seen them starting to pop up at PetCo in a different package. These are good for small tanks, and come in two different sizes. I have 3 of these, and they are great. Keeps the water at exactly 78*. Only down side is the "preset" part. Raising the heat is a good way to fight off diseases, such as Ich. However, these are cheap, and get the job done nicely.
Aqueon
I've only had a very short experience with one of these, but it was very good, aside from the fact that I got lucky, and bought one that sprung a teeny leak. It kept the water at the temp I set it to, and never fluctuated. I ended up returning it, because it was concerned about the water building up in it. If I had the money, I would have bought another one, but I wanted something a bit cheaper. When I have the money again, I'll certainly buy another one. I've heard nothing but good things about them.
Hagen Mini Elite Submersible
Hugest piece of poop I've ever owned! Not only could it not hold the temp steady, the temperature dial didn't have any numbers, so it was a guessing game every day trying to play with it to get the temp I wanted. Once I finally found 79*, it would fluctuate up to 2* either way. It also started oozing out this awkward white stuff. Returned less than a week after purchase. After further research, these heaters a prone to random exploding. Not one of Hagen's finest products.
Hydro Theo
Great heater. The one I had was several years old, yucky hard water stains all over it, missing the bottom rubber bit that kept it from touching the glass, and had clearly seen better days before it worked its way to me, but still works like a charm. Love it! Very good heater.
Tank Kits~
I've only ever had two tank kits. My other tanks were just pieced together from what I had laying around, or I bought everything separate. So, I'll tell you what I know smile
WalMart
Very good, in my experience. I bought the 10 gallon kit about 5 or 6 years ago, and the filter (AquaTech) just finally died not too long ago. The light fixture is kinda cheap, but what do you expect? I'd suggest buying CLFs for lighting, rather than the incandescent poop they send you off with. These can be found at any store that sells "human" light bulbs. Much cheaper in the long run, and provides better lighting. Save the earth, and grow live plants! Win-win!
TopFin
I have a week old TopFin 5.5 gallon kit. The same hood as the WalMart one, just a TopFin filter. For the $35, I'd just buy a WalMart 5 gallon kit ($25) or 10 gallon kit ($30). Its cheaper and you get more water, and a better filter. Still not bad, though.
Very good, in my experience. I bought the 10 gallon kit about 5 or 6 years ago, and the filter (AquaTech) just finally died not too long ago. The light fixture is kinda cheap, but what do you expect? I'd suggest buying CLFs for lighting, rather than the incandescent poop they send you off with. These can be found at any store that sells "human" light bulbs. Much cheaper in the long run, and provides better lighting. Save the earth, and grow live plants! Win-win!
TopFin
I have a week old TopFin 5.5 gallon kit. The same hood as the WalMart one, just a TopFin filter. For the $35, I'd just buy a WalMart 5 gallon kit ($25) or 10 gallon kit ($30). Its cheaper and you get more water, and a better filter. Still not bad, though.
Foods~
This'll be a long list, so you may want to grab some popcorn while you read wink
Aquarian Betta Pellets
Very low quality, but it was the only thing I could get one of my bettas to eat. One of the lowest quality foods available.
Tetra
Used Tetra brand foods for a long time when I started fish keeping. Changed to Omega One after about 3 or 4 years, and immediately saw a change for the better in my fish. Tetra claims to be high quality, but its really not. There are much better cheaper foods out there. Lower quality foods need to be fed more often, and in larger quantities, contributing to poor water quality.
Hikari
Tropicals: I've use the Fancy Guppy pellets, and the algae wafers. Neither are very high quality, but there are certainly worse foods. The Fancy Guppy pellets are full of protein and are very small and easily powdered. Great for fry! The wafers are a favorite among my vegetarians and omnivores, next to fresh veggies.
Frozen: Hikari Bio Pure (I think thats what its called) is a very big hit with my ADF's and bettas. Nothing added, and the worms are a nice bright, healthy red.
Omega One
Very good brand, and relatively cheap. Uses whole fish meals, so you may find bits of bones and scales. Mainly available in flakes, and I personally like to feed pellets. The pellets they do have available are quite large. Very good brand, just be aware that feeding flakes can lead to the inhalation of air, and lead to dropsy. Always presoak flakes before adding them to the tank!
New Life Spectrum
Favorite brand I have tried so far. Even better quality than Omega One, and comes in many varieties/"flavors" and sizes. Mainly pellets, but I have seen tropical flakes, and algae wafers. The algae wafers are a major hit with my plecos and wild caught Least Killies. Ingredients include whole fish and garlic, which is used to boost the immune system. Kind of expensive to start off with, but one can lasts for ever. The high quality of the food allows you to feed very little once every day or two, while boosting the over all healthy and appearance of your fish, and allows your fish to get more nutrients out of less food.
San Francisco Bay
A line of frozen foods. Very good, and fish love it! Comes in many flavors, for fish with different tastes. Even comes in a variety pack!
Very low quality, but it was the only thing I could get one of my bettas to eat. One of the lowest quality foods available.
Tetra
Used Tetra brand foods for a long time when I started fish keeping. Changed to Omega One after about 3 or 4 years, and immediately saw a change for the better in my fish. Tetra claims to be high quality, but its really not. There are much better cheaper foods out there. Lower quality foods need to be fed more often, and in larger quantities, contributing to poor water quality.
Hikari
Tropicals: I've use the Fancy Guppy pellets, and the algae wafers. Neither are very high quality, but there are certainly worse foods. The Fancy Guppy pellets are full of protein and are very small and easily powdered. Great for fry! The wafers are a favorite among my vegetarians and omnivores, next to fresh veggies.
Frozen: Hikari Bio Pure (I think thats what its called) is a very big hit with my ADF's and bettas. Nothing added, and the worms are a nice bright, healthy red.
Omega One
Very good brand, and relatively cheap. Uses whole fish meals, so you may find bits of bones and scales. Mainly available in flakes, and I personally like to feed pellets. The pellets they do have available are quite large. Very good brand, just be aware that feeding flakes can lead to the inhalation of air, and lead to dropsy. Always presoak flakes before adding them to the tank!
New Life Spectrum
Favorite brand I have tried so far. Even better quality than Omega One, and comes in many varieties/"flavors" and sizes. Mainly pellets, but I have seen tropical flakes, and algae wafers. The algae wafers are a major hit with my plecos and wild caught Least Killies. Ingredients include whole fish and garlic, which is used to boost the immune system. Kind of expensive to start off with, but one can lasts for ever. The high quality of the food allows you to feed very little once every day or two, while boosting the over all healthy and appearance of your fish, and allows your fish to get more nutrients out of less food.
San Francisco Bay
A line of frozen foods. Very good, and fish love it! Comes in many flavors, for fish with different tastes. Even comes in a variety pack!
Thats all I've got. If anyone has anything they've used, and would like to make a review like this, have at! 3nodding
