Complete Beginner Needs Help

[mattt]

Hey everyone. I'm really hoping to get some tropical fish for my new flat (I move in September). I really wanted fish but I definitely want something more interesting than a gold fish! I am a complete beginner, my last experience with fish was with a gold fish when I was about 6..haha. Does anyone know of a complete guide to tropical fish? I need to pick a tank (saw one called a fluval edge that looked really cool), all the tank accessories, pick the fish and then take care of them!

Thanks in advance!

 

[micko]

There are pinned topics in the beginners section. It may seem very daunting at first, it does to everyone but when you know how to do it you will be fine. The initial fish less cycle is the which is what you need to be reading is not as hard as it seems.

You've done the right thing by researching firstly.

Good luck.

 

[Randi]

I don't know of a complete guide, but this site is a great resource, look in the beginner's resource area. I would suggest getting the largest tank that you have room for. It is harder to maintain the water quality in small tanks. The fluval edge is a good tank. Then read up on fishless cycling. As a side note, goldfish require more care and more room than tropical fish. They are often the most abused of fish.

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the quick replies! I'll have a look for the beginner section. Could someone please explain to me what a cycle is?

 

[Tizer]

All answers are in the beginners section, spend an hour reading it and you will answer 90% of your own questions. good luck with your tank!

PS fluval edge tanks are very small and you will be limited to the fish you can stock in it. I can almost guarantee if you went out and got one today, a month down the line you will wish you hadnt.

look at something 90 Litres or above and you will be open to a much larger choice of fish.

 

[Randi]

here is some info on the nitrogen cycle: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=271928&hl=

and how to cycle a tank: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

 

[Miles_hot]

Matt - a quick reply to your "what's a cycle" question (you really, really need to read the beginners stuff from cover to cover - it's interesting, well written and will answer most of your questions

):

On here a "cycle" is short hand for the process of getting the bacteria in your filter up to strenght. These bacteria (there are two seperate types) convert Ammonia which the fish produce to Nitrite and then into Nitrate. Ammonia and Nitrite are toxic to fish (would you like to wade around in your own waste? :

and so the removal of these is important.

There are two approaches to this "cycle" business - fish in and fishless cycling. Of the two fishless is the prefered metod as it is easier, kinder to fish and does not induce any stress in you if it stalls, goes wrong or just confuses you; no fish are harmed and no money wasted. The only downside is that it "delays" the time you can add fish to the tank.

Read up on the beginners stuff and then ask the "daft" questions we all ask - people on here ae very helpful and don't bite.

Have fun

Miles