Best Sized Tank For A Begginer?

[Fish4eva]

hi guys. I am looking into getting some fish and i was wandering what sized tank i should get as a begginer? also what types of fish would be best??
Thanks, itty x

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

Well.... what kind of a budget are we looking at? I'd be willing to say a 30gal would be a great size to start with because of the water volume it's more forgiving with mistakes/fluctuations. You are also not so limited in what you can stock it with. If budget space is more of a consideration then I guess a 20. The thing is no matter what you get, you are going to want to go bigger sooner or later ;-}

 

[xoedusk]

The thing is no matter what you get, you are going to want to go bigger sooner or later ;-}

Indeed.
I thought we were going to be happy with our 10 gallon. Got a 20 gallon instead.

 

[jaimeg]

I agree...we're new to this and are already feeling very limited by our 10g tank. I'd start bigger so you can have more fun being able to fill it.

 

[SmileyMan]

Has big has you can afford, Fit in house

Cos for one bigger tanks forgive mistakes more (Larger water volume), Also you allways find yourself wanting bigger and tanks have a very poor re-sell value.

30g good, 55gal better (that will normaly be a 4 foot tank)

 

[BigC]

As big as your budget allows.
Reason being as above.
Regards
BigC

 

[justmatt]

Get the biggest tank you can afford, the more water you have the easier it is to control things.
As soon as you get one tank and fully stock it you will be wishing you got the next size up so you could do more, just splash the cash now on what you can afford/accomadate space wise.

 

[Flunter]

We've had a 20 gallon since December last year. Really looking forward to our new 85 gallon in the next few weeks


Same answer: As big as funds/space allow


With regard to which fish, that will depend on what size tank you finally decide on (and a few other factors)

Give us a shout again when your tank is sorted, the guys and gals here are more than willing to help.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

honestly i disagree i think that you should start out with something smaller becuase if you don't like the hobby youve wasted a ton of money on a bunch of living animals your not going to take care of. If you are 100% on wanting one and your willing to do water changes weekly and feed 2-3 times daily then go for it. as big as you can. If your not willing to do these then dont get one. sometimes a bigger tank also takes more time to maintanince and more effort if you can get a 2.5 with a airpump and something like a betta and a african dwarf frog and are willing to do water changes on something like that then go for a bigger tank but just keep in mind cleaning the bigger one will be alot harder.

 

[LiveLifeGoJump]

I would not disagree with either side of the 'arguement' If you start small & don't like fishkeeping you don't loose a great deal giving up.

Start as big as you can because if you like fishkeeping you will what even bigger later.

There is a third way of thinking which you may wish to consider.

Start of with a smaller (second hand or cheap) tank (24") & if you get 'hooked' the go for the biggest & move the smaller one into the fish house you will need for all the other 24" breeding tanks you will start to get.

Like others I started with 1 tank and a few fish (early this year). I now have 6 tanks and 450 fish (375 of then as a result of one spawing from my breeding pair on convict cichlids & next batch due soon HELP & 68 from a couple of plattys).

I'm trying to convince the wife that SHE wants a BIG tank in the livingroom

 

[Kevstir]

i would also agree with as big as you can afford, don't do what i did and rush into it in the first shop you go to , we went to have a look in a lfs 6 weeks ago with no intention of buying and ended up with a small 30 ltr (8g) corner tank , tank was £130 with cab and was about £20 for other bits , after 1 day we wanted a bigger tank,
Last week we went into pets at home and seen a Juwel rio 125 ltr for £199 , if we had looked in there at the time we would have went for the juwel but hey you learn from your mistakes , ended up going and getting a juwel vision 180 ltr tonight for £299 (early birthday present) , cant wait to get it up and running..

 

[Torrean]

If you want a large tank then I'd go for a second hand tank. Be patient and keep your eyes open and I bet you can find a tank that someone is basically giving away. When I was looking for a 55 gal I came across a 100gal tank for $50. No hood or anything but that's still a deal...I wish I had snapped it up then

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

Definately keep your eyes open! There are such great deals to be found. Check your local freecycle, any local boards you have online. We find our deals on the local college's boards- students are always leaving and wanting to quickly get rid of great stuff ;-}

 

[JAY323]

id say a 55 galon not to big but not to small plus may keep more fish and bigger fish

 

[00mitomk]

TBH GEt What Fits Were you want it tht is what i did and now i wish i chose a bigger place but oh well im so happy and ive got a juwel recklord 96 which is brilliant and cost em £124 which i fort was ok and this was my firts tank

miles