Aquariums for Beginners

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Cat Woman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:09:03 GMT

[quote user="Jo Mackenzie"]

Wow I knew it was going to be complicated but I'm glad I started looking into it well in advance!!! Thanks for all the advice so far, its really helpful! Off to look up "proper" fish suppliers near me!

[/quote]

Its not really complicated. Just get your head around the cycling part of it & the rest should go swimmingly!! BTW, very few fish shops I have been in have heard of fishless cycling, let alone know how to do it. Don't let them talk you into getting a couple of "hardy" fish to start with to cycle the tank, cos its likely it will just be a death sentence for the poor things.

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

A Little TLC — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:29:01 GMT

I've got Guppys, i love them :)

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Jo Mackenzie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:51:35 GMT

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

sisterscope1 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:06:00 GMT

Well I guess now's a good time to come out of the closet as a fish geek! Have kept for almost 30years on and off, currently off!

Agree with above, I'd always go for the largest tank you can afford/accomodate. Someone once told me looking after fish was all about looking after water, if you can do that the fish would look after themselves (almost!). Having a larger volume of water makes it more stable and less likely to cause environmental disease (most fish diseases have an environmental component). They are easier to maintain through regular water changes. Don't overstock, it's so easy to get carried away with so many fish to chose, especially if you're going to several suppliers. Keep a list and always take it with you when you go on an impulsive fish shop, any supplier worth their salt will disuade you from buying a fish that isn't suitable.

I used to keep wild angelfish, my pride and joy were a group of 10 Altum angelfish in an 8 foot tank, they were huge, 15" from fin to fin, but hard work due to their specific requirements - will dig out photos from somewhere. I had a seperate tank with wild angels from Peru and Leopoldi angelfish, each in their own biotope tank (my favourite approach to fish keeping).

Personally I'd avoid livebearers simply because they are so inbred and diseased, I used to keep some to provide fry to feed the angelfish - sorry if that offends, but it's a natural diet for wild fish.

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:30:30 GMT

Catwoman is spot on on all counts - couldn't have said it better myself.

To cycle a tank - you need something which converts the ammonia the fish produce into something harmless. What needs to happen is the nitrogen cycle - namely ammonia (toxic) to nitrIte (slightly less toxic but still nasty) to nitrAte - only toxic in high quantities (most good fishkeepers like to keep their nitrAtes below 20ppm depending on what they are keeping! Water changes get rid of nitrAte - that's why you need to do regular water changes even in a happy healthy tank.

You will need (as well as tank, plants, thermometer, heater, lights) a good test kit (which uses liquids/tablets rather than strips, more accurate) which tests for AMMONIA, pH, NITRITE AND NITRATE at a minimum.

Letting the tank 'rest' for a couple of weeks with plants etc is all well and good but it won't cycle the tank - an ammonia source is needed. What will happen in this case when you introduce fish to your 'rested tank' (and the reason most people ask for hardy fish to start with) is that they then become the ammonia source to start off the nitrogen cycle. It used to be accepted practice to cycle a tank with fish as the ammonia source, and it was common for hardier fish like danios to be sold as 'cycling fish'. However, there is no excuse for cycling with fish as it is cruel and unneccessary. The cycling fish, even though they are hardy, will still be affected by the ammonia they produce, leading to eventual ammonia poisoning as there will be no nitrifying bacteria in the tank to remove the ammonia. This causes gill burns, fin damage or even death, and even if they live through the cycle, their lifespan will be drastically shortened.

***Fishless cycling or seeding is the only humane way to go for any responsible fish keeper.*** <gets off soapbox>

Seeding involves taking a filter pad or similar from an established tank so that you have added a source of nitrifying bacteria. There are chemicals such as "Cycle" which supposedly do the same job but IME are rubbish! You need to stock VERY lightly while you do daily water tests to check your ammonia and nitrItes remain at 0. If you overstock a seeded tank and the nitrifying bacteria you've added from the filter pad can't cope, you'll set the tank off into a mini-cycle where the bioload exceeds the beneficial bacteria - meaning even though you've got a process where the ammonia and nitrIte are being converted to nitrAte, it doesn't happen rapidly enough for it not to affect the fish.

Fishless cycling - tank needs to stabilise with water/plants over a fortnight, then add ammonia source. Household ammonia is just fine, as is a prawn or some fish food dumped in the tank to rot. Water tests daily until ammonia is 0, nitrite 0 and nitrAtes above 5 or so. Yes, it's boring to have a tank with no fish, and it does take 3-4 weeks but it's far better to do it than have a tank of dead fish. I did used to Google pictures of the fish I'd planned to stock with and stuck them on the tank for wisecracking guests who mocked my tank without fish, but you're probably not that crazy, hehe. You still need to stock lightly, and always add your sensitive fish ie bottom dwellers like corydoras catfish after about 4 months - they need the tank to be fully mature and just don't cope well otherwise.

Don't forget to check out the adult sizes of your fish and stock accordingly - the so many inches of fish per volume of water is a complete load of rubbish, as is the concept that fish only grow to the size of the tank. I've drivelled on enough without going into that! Fish stores like Maidenhead Aquatics are always very good sources of info. Other stores which sell pets which commonly visit vet practices (no names mentioned but you know who I mean) are not good sources of info ;)

Happy fishkeeping - recommend http://www.aquahobby.com as a source of all things fishy :)

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Cat Woman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:37:54 GMT

I keep Green Spotted Puffers in a brackish water tank. Previously had fancy goldfish & a tropical freshwater community tank, but the puffers are best!. Cycling the tank correctly in the first place is probably the most important thing - I fishless cycled mine using household ammonia & it took about a month. Don't cycle with fish in cos that is the reason most new fishies die. Its speedier if you can beg/borrow/steal some filter media from an established, healthy tank. The fish you choose is dependant on tank size & how much maintenance you are prepared to do - other than that, its what you like the look of.

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Kerry Spain — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:30:34 GMT

Thought I'd post a few pics too

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Stuart McQueen RVN MBVNA — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:43:37 GMT

Completely off topic... I got a tank last May, and got some Platies - and some other fish... but I found 3 little baby fishies... I'm so happy! (even if I'm a little bit sad!)

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Debbie Summers — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:04:33 GMT

Hi there!

I set up my tropical aquarium last September, and once the tank was cycled for 3 weeks introduced some live plants. These help to oxygenate the water, and certain community fish like plants to hide in. I introduced my first fish (Golden Platys) after around 4 weeks. Always go to a reputable fish shop - preferably one who specialises in the type of tank you want to have. I use 1 tropical fish specialist who has been invaluable with advice and guidance, and will only buy fish from him.

Make sure you know the size of your tank in litres so that you know the percentage weekly water change required, and can accurately dose with water treatments. Start building up the fish stock very slowly - overstocking too quickly will lead to stress and illness / disease, and will be difficult to control. I started with 4 platys - alas 3 days later one female gave birth to around a dozen or so live young, all of which survived! I now have around 4 batches of young, all of which bar 2 have survived, and am rethinking the stocking of my tank, as they seem to be all too happy to keep breeding!! (Platys are renowned for being prolific breeders!!).

Anyway, bear in mind that some fish will be aggressive - for instance guppies are not ideal if you want angel fish, as the angels are keen on tail nipping!

The best idea is to start with a medium sized tank - around 30 - 50 litres, and start with a few hardy fish; platys/swordtails/mollies/guppies are good, and establish the tank over the next few months. Seek guidance from your fish shop regarding the pH of your local water supply as well - testing kits will become a regular part of your fish routine! - as different fish require different water conditions.

Slow and careful is the key!

Hope that helps! Here is my tank with the original 4 Platys!!

Debs

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:03:38 GMT

My sister (who is a member on here) has a few fish tanks!!! Debbie summers, I'll give her a nudge in this direction!

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Kerry Spain — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:49:23 GMT

Hi there speak to Kate C (she's the fishy expert on here).

I have cold water fish and spent weeks researching everything before I purchased them. It's worth spending the time doing to ensure you get everything correct. Find a reputable shop to buy them from.

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Vicky RVN — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:57:53 GMT

I'd start off with the easier tropicals...tetras, mollies, guppies....umm trying to remember the fish from when i worked with them in a pet shop!

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Sally Seddon — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:59:04 GMT

agree with all of the above

when you do start getting the fish perhaps ask the assistant for something 'hardy'. you dont wanna be buying the sensitive/expensive type of fish if your just starting out with a tropical tank

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Sally Howe — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:34:57 GMT

The tank will need to "rest" for a few weeks with just water, pump and filtration etc before adding fish and then only a couple at a time. The water will need weekly testing to begin with. Go to a place that only sells fish rather than the pet shop environment as they seem to give better advice. We just have the 2 big ponds now.

My favourite place is the Koi Carp Company in Bedfordshire. They are very helpful and knowledgable there.

I got my hubby a tropical tank (he really wanted a marine one) and after a year or so he got bored of it.

Re: Aquariums for Beginners

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:42 GMT

Kate C should be on at some point, and she will let you know.... she is the fish expert on here

I keep both cold and tropical, but Kate is def your women