Absolute Beginner Here!

[Kiribati]

Here's a brief introduction, so you readers can get the gist of it.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=165237

First off, forgive me if I sound blunt or forceful, I'm still adapting to this nice community. OK, so, I know nothing about fish keeping/raising, and I would like to know the basics. (Trust me, I've searched the forums thoroughly) Please consider the fact that I just want to experiment with keeping fish, and I do not have any intentions of going all out with the aquarium. No, I know what you're thinking! I just want to make sure I have the basics down before I start adding the decorations (plants, gravel, etc) and whatnot to the tank.

Btw, I have a 40 gallon tank.

What I would like to know is what I need to start a tank off with. Here's some questions that I've been wondering about:

• Would it be better to start an empty aquarium and add fish into it or add decor (plants, gravel, etc) and start from there?
• What kind of fish are good for me (an absolute beginner) to take care of?
• Is there anyone who would like to walk me through setting an aquarium up, in terms of adding water, cycling it, and then adding fish, and then so on? (I just need basics, that way I can 'practice' raising fish.)

Once again, forgive me if I sound like I am expecting a lot of answers from the community, I just get so excited when starting a new (potential!) hobby!

Thank you,
Kiribati.

 

[christie71]

Welcome--
Do you have your heater, filter and thermostat? Those are your basics... It is easiest to put in your decorations( after they are rinsed but not cleaned with soap) in before adding your water... Make sure yourinse your media too( sand gravel) in water b/f adding it to the tank. And make sure to treat your water while adding it to your tank. You can then do a fishless cycle or a fishey cycle both of which you can find a lot of info on on a sticky here or anywhere on the internet. Depending on what cycle you do depends on when you can add fish. If you can get gravel or a filter pad from an existing aquarium that you trust that is the ideal thing so that your cycle can be "jump started". After you have decied on how to cycle put some fish on a post that you are interested in and everyone can help you decide which are hardy for first timers. HTH

 

[Kiribati]

Thanks for the basic summary! I have an idea of what to do now.

Thanks!

 

[TammyLiz]

If you don't have your tank yet, a good idea might be to research which kind of fish you want to keep, so you know what size aquarium you should get. It might be disappointing to get down to buying your fish only to find out the ones you want can't go in your tank.

 

[christie71]

That is a good point with th tank size... Keep us posted and add any if you have them!

 

[Kiribati]

Whoops! I forgot to add that I already have a 40 gallon tank, but I'm still not too sure what to do with it.

So, my basics are :

• filter
• heater
• thermostat

Correct?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Glod]

Yes, the minimum parts needed for kepeing tropical fish are a tank, a filter rated for that size of tank and a heater/thermostat. Most heaters have built in thermostats these days.

You also want to get some dechlorinator to treat your tap water before adding it to the tank.

At that point you have a boring tank that is regardless ready for cycling.

If you want to add a substrate - gravel or sand then it's probably best to do that at the very beginning. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the gravel/sand before you add it to the tank.

Decor and plants can be added as you progress. You may also want to consider lighting if you go for real plants, or to let you see the fish.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Having set up your tank and added decor+ dechlorinated water, you are then ready for cycling. This can be done in two ways: either with fish or fishless. Cycling with fish is putting the fish at some risk, and also means you are limited to a small number of hardy species, as most fish cannot cope with the conditions of a new tank. With this method you need to test the water every day and be prepared to do a lot of water changes to keep your fish safe. If you do a fishless cycle, you hold off buying fish for the first month or two, but add controlled amounts of liquid household ammonia, test the water every day, then when the readings are right do massive water change and then add fish. You will find both methods described in the pinned topics on cycling at the top of this section (I think you've already been given a link).

While the fishless cycle is doing is a good time to think about fish. Go around the shops with a notebook and see what appeals to you. Never buy a fish without checking what its specific needs are: does it need to be in a school or does it need to be the only one of its species, how big does it grow, what temperature does it like, has it got any special dietary requirements, what part of the tank does it live in, is it aggressive or timid? This is part of what makes fishkeeping such fun as it makes you think about how different species have evolved different mechanisms to cope with conditions in the wild.

Some good starter fish might include: corydoras catfish (schooling bottomfeeders), black widow or glowlight tetras (schooling), zebra danios (schooling and very active), platies (gender ratios have to be observed), bristlenose pleco (1 is enough for a 40 gallon, eat algae), cherry barbs (gender ratios).

Slightly more problematic fish are dwarf gouramis and guppies- both look lovely, but are not as hardy as they were. Tiger barbs also look good, but can be difficult with other fish, because of their high activity levels and tendency to fin-nip.

Steer well clear of pangasius sharks, bala sharks (aka silver sharks), common plecos, sailfin plecos, shark catfish and giant gouramis- all these grow VERY large.

 

[Kiribati]

Thanks all for the tips! Right now I'm in the process of setting my tank up, havn't gotten to the cycling or buying fish part yet.