Commitment

[Water Keeper]

Hi guys,

I'm currently in a situation of self-doubt in relation to fish tank ownership, and would like some general advise... I have got a good interest in fish keeping, and am constantly watching tutorials on how to set up a tank/fish types etc. Loving Oscars!

My only doubts/questions however, are as follows:

- As I have never kept fish before (and have heard uninspiring stories from family saying that they have tried and fish just die ), so am not sure on the monthly costs of maintenance?
- What to do with them when you go on a two week holiday for example?
- Though the most pressing thought is that of the "novelty value" of fish keeping, and how do you know if it is that or a serious interest? (though I have been interested in quite a while, just not to the level of compelling purchase due to the questions)

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks
Water Keeper

 

[stu40]

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[brian1]

Well you won't really know until you try it,once you get set up and cycled you will love it, if you find it's not for you sell them on, (don't eat them).........

 

[Silver141]

Unless you're intending going head first to a large ie. 6ft+ tank then please don't go buying Oscars. Think about tank size you want to get then research what fish will fit into it.

 

[Akasha72]

my advice would be to get a sensible sized tank (about 100 litres or so) and put easy going fish in it until you decide for sure if it is for you and get used to keeping fish.

Don't jump headlong into a 5/6ft tank and buy fish that take too much to care for. If you start small with things like guppies/platies/mollies (which are like £1-£2 to buy) and are fairly forgiving on inexperience then you've not lost an absolute fortune if you decide it's not for you.

Sell the tank on and take the fish to an lfs that will take them

 

[minnnt]

.

Cat got your tongue?



A 5ft tank is a lot of work. With big fish you need to do big water changes. A 50% water change on a 5x2x2 is going to be 250 litres. They also take alot of filtering and alot of heating. And, alot of lighting. Expensive things to run and a fair bit of work too. You could easily get bored of it in a month or 2 and then find yourself out of pocket if you want to sell it.

 

[Water Keeper]

Alright, this advise is brilliant! So what would be a suggestion for me who has an interest in a specimen-like fish tank (one decent size instead of like loads of smaller) - obviously choosing a fish that fuels my interest and reason for keeping, but isn't to cumbersome to look after? Maybe like 2x Silver/Bala shark, tiger barbs etc?

 

[ShinySideUp]

Alright, this advise is brilliant! So what would be a suggestion for me who has an interest in a specimen-like fish tank (one decent size instead of like loads of smaller) - obviously choosing a fish that fuels my interest and reason for keeping, but isn't to cumbersome to look after? Maybe like 2x Silver/Bala shark, tiger barbs etc?

My personal opinion, but I would find a load of smaller fish far more interesting than one or two large ones. There is more interaction with each other and their surroundings and they would be much easier to look after. If you want to look at one large fish slowly and stately moving back and forth I'd get a computer screen-saver of one. If anything is going to make you bored with fish-keeping it would be looking at a couple of big fish.

 

[Proxo]

^ Agree with shinysideup not long after i got into fish keeping i found myself with a 4ft 55g that only had a few large aggressive fish in it and the tank ended up becoming looked after but very boring and never improved upon.

Ended up getting myself a 90L that is currently classed as my main tank as the 55g is home to only 1 fish really, it's something i'm working on but not something i would start out with.

 

[minnnt]

Bala sharks would be an even worse choice.

A 4ft tank would give you a massive range of fish you could stock. You could still have some bigger Cichlids such as Thorichthys species, some nice larger sized Tetra's such as Congo's, Buenos Aires or Columbian Red Fins, then a school of Cories such as Sterbai or the bigger Brochis Splendens. Then you could chose a Plec that will attain a nice size. Rusty Plecs and Sunshine Plecs are two of my favourites.

If wanting 1 bigger Cichlid then look at the Carpintis Texas Cichlid. Very attractive colouring and you would still get away with a Plec. Maybe even a group of Pictus Cats.

 

[Dazzler666]

If you are posting on here then you clearly intetested in fish keeping!! . Personally, id start with say a second hand 120litre tank & external filter if possible, sometimes you can pick up second hand full set up's very cheaply.
First off, research, research & then bit more research!!!
Regards fish it depends on what you like, active (tiger barbs, rasboras), small but colorful (tetras, guppies), medium and active (mollies, some tetras), there are hundreds to choose from hence .... More research!!! Lol.
By all accounts, it is not 'easy' as in put water in tank, throw some fish in and hooray ... Done!!! It needs dedication & commitment but is very rewarding ... If you like watching fish that is!!! Make no mistake though, it rakes regular maintenance, research & learning otherwise you will end up with dead fish!! .
Hope you make the right choice & if you do get fish .... Enjoy!!! .

 

[Steve H.]

My 5.5 gallon tank (my learning tank) is still my favorite one to play around with.

You don't have to start off that small, but start smaller and cheaper, research the right fish, and learn some practical skills....maintenance.

You will have some exciting success, and before you know it you'll have more tanks than you know what to do with.

I would guess most people lose interest because they start off to big before they have any skills, and then find themselves overwhelmed with maintenance, water, and fish death issues. And, I have to say those defeats would turn anyone off to fish keeping.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Hi guys,

I'm currently in a situation of self-doubt in relation to fish tank ownership, and would like some general advise... I have got a good interest in fish keeping, and am constantly watching tutorials on how to set up a tank/fish types etc. Loving Oscars!

My only doubts/questions however, are as follows:

- As I have never kept fish before (and have heard uninspiring stories from family saying that they have tried and fish just die ), so am not sure on the monthly costs of maintenance?
- What to do with them when you go on a two week holiday for example?
- Though the most pressing thought is that of the "novelty value" of fish keeping, and how do you know if it is that or a serious interest? (though I have been interested in quite a while, just not to the level of compelling purchase due to the questions)

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks
Water Keeper

To answer your questions directly...

1. My water and electricity bills have probably only increased by about £2.80 each per quarter. Not an unreasonable increase. The uninspiring stories come from people who think you can just plop a fish into a small, bare tank into water straight out the tap. This is incorrect. Fish husbandry takes patience and enthusiasm in equal measures. Enthusiasm is born from the bits when you do get it right and your set up is looking great, or you've finally got your head around the 'cycling process' and are beginning to see the right bacteria grow in the tank etc. Patience is a virtue and everybody has some level of restraint I'm probably the world's worst person for patience!

2. Fish are fine unfed for about 10 days, in which case, I get a neighbor to come round and feed them. I pre-measure the food so that they're not overfed. The water will be fine for a couple of weeks, too. Just do a big water change (about 50% worth) shortly before and after the holiday. I feed my fish once every other day normally. If I'm going away, I'll feed them once a day for the 5 days leading up to leaving.

3. I shared this concern when I first started out but when you start, and you get your tank just how you like it you suddenly wake up and find yourself googling for more parts or tanks It's a very rewarding and a very addictive hobby. If it just so happens that you don't get drawn in after you've cycled your tank and start adding fish, you could probably sell your gear on (we have a classifieds section on this forum for that purpose infact) and get about 70 - 80% of your money back since they would be nearly new. Many people have friends or family that get them into this but I don't. The only fish-friends that I get to talk to - about fish at least - are the people on these forums. Everything you need to know can be found here and if not found, then asked for.

EDIT: Keep us posted on whether you still feel as though you want to have a go at least and we can advise you on some of the fundamental equipment you'll need.