Buying Fish On-Line - Safe?

[pablothebetta]

I see you've got some posts, but thought I might say to the hobby

You could try a MA store if there's one near you - I know my local one has had them in before.

If anyone you know has an established aquarium, you could ask them for some cycled media to help boost your cycle - maybe even someone on here would be willing to help you out?

Thank you, I am looking forward to getting started. I'm afraid I don't know what a MA store is? . My friends dad has an aquarium but I haven't really seen him in that long that i'd feel a little awkward asking. I did notice the thread about people willing to help out with filter media on this forum, which i thought was a fabulous idea, but I must admit, I feel a little cheeky PM'ing someone and being like hi, we're complete strangers but could you help me out .

I have convinced hubby to take a trip with me to the store in Coatbridge over the weekend to have a look. He's also agreed to have a look at tanks and he admitted he likes fish, but isn't so keen on the tiny ones , so I have said to him if he'd consider checking out tanks with me so we have an idea of sizes etc then we can discuss a bigger tank and then we could maybe discuss fish he likes... which he agreed to ... I could see this being a win win for me

Sorry, MA = Maidenhead Aquatics. It's a pretty large nationwide store, if you haven't come across one before

I do know what you mean about the PM lol that tank upgrade sounds great though

 

[lisa2701]

I see you've got some posts, but thought I might say to the hobby

You could try a MA store if there's one near you - I know my local one has had them in before.

If anyone you know has an established aquarium, you could ask them for some cycled media to help boost your cycle - maybe even someone on here would be willing to help you out?

Thank you, I am looking forward to getting started. I'm afraid I don't know what a MA store is? . My friends dad has an aquarium but I haven't really seen him in that long that i'd feel a little awkward asking. I did notice the thread about people willing to help out with filter media on this forum, which i thought was a fabulous idea, but I must admit, I feel a little cheeky PM'ing someone and being like hi, we're complete strangers but could you help me out .

I have convinced hubby to take a trip with me to the store in Coatbridge over the weekend to have a look. He's also agreed to have a look at tanks and he admitted he likes fish, but isn't so keen on the tiny ones , so I have said to him if he'd consider checking out tanks with me so we have an idea of sizes etc then we can discuss a bigger tank and then we could maybe discuss fish he likes... which he agreed to ... I could see this being a win win for me

Sorry, MA = Maidenhead Aquatics. It's a pretty large nationwide store, if you haven't come across one before

I do know what you mean about the PM lol that tank upgrade sounds great though

Ahh yes this is the store I plan on visiting over the weekend, there is one about half an hour away from me.

- I found the thread that is people willing to help new comers out with media filter to help them cycle their tank and I assumed you would have to Pm the person to ask for their help... .... perhaps I am wrong, I have read so much over the last few days that I am maybe getting my sites mixed up ... nevermind, I have read the the MA website that they often have filter media available to help people cycle their tanks so I might try get some from them.

Yes the thought of a bigger tank is exciting. Need to start saving

 

[Ali_RFD]

Dobbies at stirling should be able to get them an p@h in stirling had some in on thursday!

 

[lisa2701]

Ali_RFD - Thanks I will keep that in mind. I know Dobbies in Ayr has a really good aquatic section, not sure about livingston Dobbies, but if Stirlings can get them i'd imagine Livingston can too and I'm much closer to livingston, but hadn't thought of Dobbies so I will have a look there. We are taking a trip through to the shop one in coatbridge today to look at and price a bigger tank and of course see what fish they have on offer, I am quite excited

 

[hensonc4098]

Dobbies in my experience can be slightly more expensive though, however if that doesn't bother you too much then their fish are normally good quality.

 

[lisa2701]

Yes I agree, dobbies aren't the cheapest place. Normally speaking price wouldn't bother me to be honest, but at the moment I am trying to keep things as cheap as I can. That being said, if we are talking about a fish that would normally be £3 being £4.5 or something that wouldn't bother me, but I wouldn't go to Dobbies for a tank for instance. I am looking for a second hand tank... I've found this one which is a 10 gallon (my current one is only 5g) .... http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280938154334#ht_500wt_1288.... whats peoples thoughts? Oh and out of your experience, is the light likely to be fixable?

 

[lisa2701]

What is the minimum sized tank for a pleco? i know there are loads of different species, but for one of the smaller species, whats the minimum sized tank? Husband and I would both love a pleco?

 

[lisa2701]

Just thought i'd update. I bid on and won the 10g tank. I know its still not big by any means, however its double the size of what I have and my hubby and I have agree'd that if come x-mas time ish we are enjoying the tank (which I know we will) then we can upgrade to a bigger tank (as my x-mas I suspect). Anyways, i am just waiting on the women getting back to me as to when I can go and collect it. The other good thing is by getting this it means I don't have to wait on the smaller tank becoming available before I can start setting up and cycling.

on the note of cycling (silly question alert) - The fact that this was an established tank and the filter is coming with it, how long can a filter go (assuming its kept wet) without all the bacteria dying off? As in, if its only been a week since the fish were in it, will it still be cycled? Or will i have to start from scratch?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

The only way to find out is to get the tank filled with some dechlorinated water, add ammonia and test your levels the next day, good luck!

 

[lisa2701]

Just found out that the fish are still in the tank and are being picked up tonight so the tank is still cycled!! I can pick it up tomorrow after the fish are gone and she's cleaned the tank out. Should I ask her not to clean the tank too thoroughly or is the filter the only important thing not to clean?

once I get it home I will set it up and I can run it for a few days checking the water etc. Do I need to add ammonia to the tank to make sure it processes it? Could I just add water from my sons triop tank which is currently having ammonia spikes?

 

[fluttermoth]

The filter is the important bit; the other stuff doesn't matter for cycling, though if you can ask her to leave it as it is, then you might get a head start on getting your otos

I would 'prove' the filter with ammonia for a week or so if you can get some

 

[lisa2701]

The filter is the important bit; the other stuff doesn't matter for cycling, though if you can ask her to leave it as it is, then you might get a head start on getting your otos

I would 'prove' the filter with ammonia for a week or so if you can get some

I have emailed her and asked that she doesn't clean the filter... I am SO excited . Here was me thinking it'd be at least 2 weeks before I could even start cycling my tank and here I am getting a new tank (with stand) and a 'hopeful' kick start in the cycling process. I pick it up tomorrow at 1pm...

I can't seem to find ammonia...can I use anything else?

And if I am really lucky a wee head start in my ottos situation too

 

[panda_cory]

I wouldnt get any fish from dobbies, I got some neons and it killed everything in the tank must have had a disease.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

You can buy ammonia from homebase

 

[lisa2701]

I wouldnt get any fish from dobbies, I got some neons and it killed everything in the tank must have had a disease.

aww sorry to hear that. My plan will be to visit MA once my tank is established. Have never been before but I see there is a store half an hour away so figure they specialise in fish so would be a better place than P@H or my LFS which hasn't got great stock and to be honest their tanks are starting to look a little run down and not so desirable.