Fish Tanks Master Thread

[joey123]

Thanks for the info. Did you do research on the best size/quality of the tank or just went based on what you thought would be a good size and at a price you could afford?

That. I will let you know how it goes. Really don't know much about these things yet, so I just went with my gut. It should be a nice addition to my room to join, my new deskptop, 32 inch screen, 47 inch tv, sling box, ipad, ipod touch, printer speakers, and more. All free because of DD.

[aygart]

Petco. There was a 50 percent sale last week . I got a 5 gallon because I think it's a good beginners tank, and didn't want to spend so much until a see that I am actually going to invest time into it, and the finish aren't going to be dying left and right

IIRC, I bought this one, http://www.petco.com/product/117228/Fluval-Edge-Aquarium-Kit-in-Black.aspx.

Unless there is a sale from Petco, you should probably buy from amazon.

the first thing you will need to check is that the fish can live in such a small tank.

[Emkay]

Petco. There was a 50 percent sale last week . I got a 5 gallon because I think it's a good beginners tank, and didn't want to spend so much until a see that I am actually going to invest time into it, and the finish aren't going to be dying left and right

IIRC, I bought this one, http://www.petco.com/product/117228/Fluval-Edge-Aquarium-Kit-in-Black.aspx.

Unless there is a sale from Petco, you should probably buy from amazon.

That tank is minuscule, and you can get a 10 or 15 for the same price

[@Yehuda]

Do you 2 have any tips for someone looking to start out?

[Something Fishy]

I got a 5 gallon because I think it's a good beginners tank

Mistake number one.

So my fish tank just arrived,and it's now time to fill the tanks up with fish.

Mistake number two.

The smaller a tank the harder to take care of it. In a 5g the smallest water quality issue will be enough to wreck the whole tank, be it an algae bloom or a fish die off.

The larger the tank the more leeway you have with problems. 10g would be the absolute smallest I would ever recommend for a beginner, 20 would be even better.

Next - if you're going to "fill up the tank" now all your fish will be dead within a week (it's called New Tank Syndrome). The nitrogen cycle needs a few weeks to establish itself or you will have of the charts ammonia levels.

What you have to do is let the tank run with water only for a week, then add one or two hardy fish. Keep them there for at least 3 weeks. Only after that could you start to stock the tank with the fish you want - one at a time.

Mind you there's not much you could keep in a 5g, maybe a guppy and a couple neon tetras.

[Emkay]

Do you 2 have any tips for someone looking to start out?

Do you want fish for design, for the calming effect or as a hobby?

[joey123]

Mistake number one.

Mistake number two.

The smaller a tank the harder to take care of it. In a 5g the smallest water quality issue will be enough to wreck the whole tank, be it an algae bloom or a fish die off.

The larger the tank the more leeway you have with problems. 10g would be the absolute smallest I would ever recommend for a beginner, 20 would be even better.

Next - if you're going to "fill up the tank" now all your fish will be dead within a week (it's called New Tank Syndrome). The nitrogen cycle needs a few weeks to establish itself or you will have of the charts ammonia levels.

What you have to do is let the tank run with water only for a week, then add one or two hardy fish. Keep them there for at least 3 weeks. Only after that could you start to stock the tank with the fish you want - one at a time.

Mind you there's not much you could keep in a 5g, maybe a guppy and a couple neon tetras.

Wow! I didn't know you were knowledgable in areas other than camears. Now, I understand your DDF name.

SO, I guess, based on your advice I am going to return this tank, and buy a new one. is there one on the market now that you recommend? Thanks. I want it to be able to hold at least 7 fish.

You are right the 5 gallon was a bad move

[joey123]

Do you want fish for design, for the calming effect or as a hobby?

Sorry for answering for the great @yehuda, but I want fish as a hobby. which do you recommend? Is it possible to buy baby bass and then have them grow so you can eat them? that's something that would interest me.

[Emkay]

Sorry for answering for the great @yehuda, but I want fish as a hobby. which do you recommend? Is it possible to buy baby bass and then have them grow so you can eat them? that's something that would interest me.

Not really.  How much time/money are you looking to invest in this?

[joey123]

Not really.  How much time/money are you looking to invest in this?

2 hours a week, and my younger brother is going to help me out when I am away in yeshiva. He loves animals and fish; he can probably also give 2 hours. Thanks, btw

[@Yehuda]

Do you want fish for design, for the calming effect or as a hobby?

Design/hobby. I know very little, so bear with me when I say I want the bright-colored fish (like clown fish). I believe those are the fresh water ones?

Thanks for those tips, Fishy! 20 gal. min it is!

[frockaway guy]

I started with a 30 gl tank. I learned a lot from shmuzing up the guys in pet smart (although each one can give diffarent advice). And reading fist blogs online. in pet smart the fish are labelled on level of your expertise. Also always take some water from your tank along with you to test (they test it for free) to make sure your water levels are ok before you introduce new fish

[joey123]

I started with a 30 gl tank. I learned a lot from shmuzing up the guys in pet smart (although each one can give diffarent advice). And reading fist blogs online. in pet smart the fish are labelled on level of your expertise. Also always take some water from your tank along with you to test (they test it for free) to make sure your water levels are ok before you introduce new fish

which tank do you recommend? Don't want to spend over 175

[frockaway guy]

I actualy bought the tank and stand on craigs list. If you don't mind second hand, you can get some very good deals

[joey123]

I actualy bought the tank and stand on craigs list. If you don't mind second hand, you can get some very good deals

i would prefer new, but what brand should I get? As evidenced by my purchase, I have no idea what the heck I am doing

[aygart]

Design/hobby. I know very little, so bear with me when I say I want the bright-colored fish (like clown fish). I believe those are the fresh water ones?

Thanks for those tips, Fishy! 20 gal. min it is!

clown fish are salt. My experience is that the brighter ones are mostly salt. Beware the engineered neon fish. They get sick more easily. For bright fresh water go for neon tetras and guppies.

[joey123]

clown fish are salt. My experience is that the brighter ones are mostly salt. Beware the engineered neon fish. They get sick more easily. For bright fresh water go for neon tetras and guppies.

What about something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-28021-20-Gallon-Critter-30-Inch/dp/B0017694AI/ref=sr_1_45?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1407098712&sr=1-45&keywords=20+gallon+fish+tank

Just throwing it there...

[joey123]

Is this one too small? I really like the way it looks...
http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-12-Gallon-Aquarium-42-LED-Light/dp/B005X88XIK/ref=sr_1_59?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1407098736&sr=1-59&keywords=20+gallon+fish+tank

Or maybe this for starters, http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Tank-Glass-20-Gal/dp/B005VDO8OA/ref=sr_1_120?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1407099247&sr=1-120&keywords=20+gallon+fish+tank.

Any input is highly appreciated. thanks

[Emkay]

What about something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-28021-20-Gallon-Critter-30-Inch/dp/B0017694AI/ref=sr_1_45?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1407098712&sr=1-45&keywords=20+gallon+fish+tank

Just throwing it there...

That's very short, you probably want taller. That's meant to be a lizard/hamster/snake/other critter cage

[joey123]

That's very short, you probably want taller. That's meant to be a lizard/hamster/snake/other critter cage

What about the fist one? Is this too small? TIA