Getting Back Into The Hobby, Lots Of Questions

[smoothvirus]

Hi everyone -

I used to really be into the hobby in my teenage years, started out with a 10 gallon community tank when I was 12 and then wound up with Jack Dempseys and Oscars until I was graduating high school/starting college and then I got interested in other things.

Anyhow that was nearly 20 years ago and I haven't been into tropical fish since then.

But now the bug has struck me again and I'm seriously considering getting back into it.

I want to get a 55 gallon tank, minimum, and then get some Blue Rams for it. I tried to breed them when I was 14 but it didn't work. I kept the fish healthy but I never did get them to breed - looking back now, a 10 gallon tank was way too small. What can I say, back then my only source of info was the TFH books and my friends. We didn't have "the internets" back in 1985!

I've been shopping around the Metro DC area for a decent LFS. I live in Arlington - there's a couple of stores on Little River Turnpike which is pretty close. I wasn't too impressed with Wally's Aquarium - looked run down and there were many dead/sick fish in the tanks. About two miles up the road is Super Petz, which I thought was much much better. I can get a 75 gallon tank from them with a hood and oak stand for around $340, which doesn't seem too bad of a deal. With all the other equipment I'm probably looking at a $400 setup.

I also checked out the Pet Smart in Alexandria, it was OK, better than Wally's I think, but I took a dim view of the "big box" type stores when I was a teenager. They've got a 55 gallon starter kit for $159, which isn't bad but I would prefer to choose the kind of filter and heater I get with the tank. Their stands run about $135, so I would be in the neighborhood of $300 after everything was said and done there.

OK so here's some questions.....

I'd like to get some driftwood for my tank, the pet stores charge an arm and a leg for it, I figured I'd head up to Great Falls Park and see what I could find lying around. I guess I should wash whatever I find in scalding hot water? Anyone local know good spots to find this stuff?

I'm also seriously considering getting a used tank, been checking the classified ads. What should I look out for when buying a used tank?

Any other decent stores in the area?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions over the next few days. I've been doing a lot of research over the past few days, quite a bit has changed in the last 20 years.

I originally was going to go with a 55 but I'm sorely tempted by that 75 gallon tank.

 

[Tolak]

Welcome to TFF & welcome back to aquatics! I really don't like the corporate stores, Aquatics or otherwise. Best deals for aquarium products other than tanks or stands is the internet. http/www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2 has good deals on new tanks, if thet are going to be in your area anytime soon http/www.glasscages.com/?sAction=Deliv $400 for a 75 gallon setup isn't bad at all. I build my own stands, the way commecially made stands are built makes me nervous. Then again, I overbuild most anything I make.

Boiling driftwood works best, I've done this with a couple of pieces. Used tanks go for around half the price of new tanks if they are in good shape. Check the seams for any peeling silicone, and the corners & edges for any larger chips. Any chips bigger than around 3/32 on a bigger tank, or 1/16 on a smaller tank shouldbe avoided. If the tank is empty, have them fill the tank for you, set a time, then conveniently run a little late. Any leaks should be apparent at this time. If you buy a used setup, make sure to empty out everything before moving it.

Post away with anymore questions!

 

[smoothvirus]

Welcome to TFF & welcome back to aquatics! I really don't like the corporate stores, Aquatics or otherwise. Best deals for aquarium products other than tanks or stands is the internet. http/www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2 has good deals on new tanks, if thet are going to be in your area anytime soon http/www.glasscages.com/?sAction=Deliv $400 for a 75 gallon setup isn't bad at all. I build my own stands, the way commecially made stands are built makes me nervous. Then again, I overbuild most anything I make.

Boiling driftwood works best, I've done this with a couple of pieces. Used tanks go for around half the price of new tanks if they are in good shape. Check the seams for any peeling silicone, and the corners & edges for any larger chips. Any chips bigger than around 3/32 on a bigger tank, or 1/16 on a smaller tank shouldbe avoided. If the tank is empty, have them fill the tank for you, set a time, then conveniently run a little late. Any leaks should be apparent at this time. If you buy a used setup, make sure to empty out everything before moving it.

Post away with anymore questions!

Thanks Tolak!

I'll keep scanning craigslist, looking for a good deal. Then again I may just spring for that 75 this weekend. Next chance I get I'll head out to the park with a hacksaw and see what driftwood I can find. I suppose it's legal to take driftwood from a state park - or at least nobody would say anything if they saw me haul off with some in the trunk of my car.

 

[1800higgins]

I love Craigslist. I've been skimming NYC, Philly, and DC as I live close to NYC and Philly and my girlfriend's family is in DC... So I figured we could make a day trip out of finding something.

Meanwhile I've found a $30 55 gallon tank (just tank) on Craigslist.

I must say, if you are grabbing a 55 gallon tank... Then Walmart has a really nice cheap stand. I grabbed it for myself. It's a nice black stand that's uniquely designed. $75. My only issue now is that I want a canopy that matches it, and I have a feeling it'll be somewhat of a pain to build haha.

I wish I had some locally owned fish stores here. All I have are Petco, Petsmart, and some small beat up pet store.

 

[smoothvirus]

Thanks for the tip 1800higgins, I'll keep that stand in mind.

We've got Petco and Pet Smart here too, in multiple locations. I haven't been to Petco yet. Supposedly there's a couple of nice stores across the Potomac in Maryland but I haven't checked them out.

 

[1800higgins]

Petco is better priced then Petsmart, but they are both expensive anyway. Petco also carries saltwater fish, where-as Petsmart doesn't.

My girlfriend's family lives in Gaithersburg. You should post your findings if you come across any nice stores down there, as I'd like to stop in and check them out next time we visit her family.

 

[smoothvirus]

This place is in Virginia near to me but I thought it was pretty good.

http/www.annandalesuperpets.com/

 

[Annastasia]

I live near DC too (but on the Maryland side), so we're pretty close. If you don't mind a drive, there's some good fish stores around.

The Aquarium Center in Randallstown is a great store. They have a lot of tanks and stands, lots of healthy fish and very knowledgeable staff. Plus a whole aisle of plants, if you're into those. Website.

In Rockville there's a little store called Congressional Aquarium. It's small, but they have a lot of stuff and pretty good fish. It's a very good store for decorations, lots of plants and rocks and such. Definitely not the place to go for tanks or stands though. Website.

In Gaithersburg there is a little fish store, but the name is going out on me. If you know where Lakeforest Mall is, it's literally right across the street from it. It's a little family owned store, but they have great, healthy fish. They have some tanks and stands, but they are smaller ones. I can give you directions if you want to go to that one.

Another one in Gaithersburg is Tropical Fish World. It's the place to go if you want Cichlids. That's mostly what they carry. Website.

There's one in Silver Spring called Totally Fish. I've never been there myself, but I've heard tons of good things about it. Website.

If you really don't mind a drive, That Fish Place in Lancaster PA is a huge fish store. Big selection of tanks, mostly on the larger end. They also have a great fish department, with some rarer fish in there too. I've never seen a diseased fish in their tanks. Website.

Geez, I know another few stores but the names are blanking out on me. I'll edit them in when I think of them.

Anyway, that's my little fish store review.

 

[smoothvirus]

Thanks Annastasia, that's a lot of good info.

OK so today I'm researching Under Gravel Jets (UCJ's) - seems like a good idea, but I have some questions about them.

1) do they work well with planted tanks?

2) would it be good for a Blue Ram tank? Or would it be too much flow for them?

Thanks for all the great responses everyone.

 

[smoothvirus]

Wow, a lot has changed in 20 years, now I find out about these UV Sterilizers. And all this talk about "cycling". Interesting stuff.. I'm going to have a lot of decisions to make when I'm setting up the tank.

So right now I've got two different leads on used 55 gallon setups for around $150. Both of them come with a stand and hood, and one of them comes with a whisper 60 filter.

And on the other front we have the LFS with a 75 gallon with hood and oak stand for about $340. Very, very tempting. I think I've talked myself out of buying the new 75 gallon for at least tonight.

ahh decisions, decisions....

how many Blue Ram pairs would I be able to get into a 55 gallon anyway? 3 pairs?

 

[smoothvirus]

OK I splurged today and got that 75 Gallon tank from the LFS I was looking at earlier in the week:

I also found some driftwood at the Potomac river, you can see it on the floor. I'll probably have to cut it up some. I may go looking for some more next weekend.

So now, lots of decisions to make.

I think I'll get the UV Sterilizer. This one looks like it would fit the bill.

I may go ahead and construct an under gravel jet system, but just leave it in place and not use it for now. If I'm keeping Blue Rams in this tank I worry that it will be too much current for them.

I need to decide if I'm going with a canister filter or a hang on back filter. Not sure which direction I'll go yet.

 

[plecoguy]

go canister all the way! an rena filstar xp3 would be awesome on that tank, and they are on sale on either petsmart.com or petco.com. i cant remember which one, but print off the online add and the store will match price.

 

[smoothvirus]

thanks Plecoguy! That's exactly the kind of wisdom I've been looking for!

Ok, off to do research on the Rena Filstar filters........

 

[Tolak]

I like to use a combination of both filters on a larger tank. Canister filters are beter at bio filtration than hob filters, I set up the canister for bio filtration. Hob filters are better at mechanical filtration, I set the hob up for that.

Undergravel jets real ony cause current at the bottom, and it's only enough to keep debris from settling in dead spots with no current. They are ideal for messy fish such as plecs or larger cichlids.

I haven't seen a real need for a uv sterilizer, it's something you may want to keep on hand, but not run all the time. If I found one cheap I'd probably pick one up just to have it around just in case.

Nice looking tank & stand! Good find on the driftwood as well, shops charge way too much for driftwood, same goes for rocks.

 

[smoothvirus]

Good find on the driftwood as well, shops charge way too much for driftwood, same goes for rocks.

Boy, you aren't kidding about that. I saw a diftwood piece in the LFS that was the same size as the small one I found and they wanted $15 for it!

Rocks and gravel were really expensive at the LFS 20 years ago too. I suppose the small businessman has to make his profit somewhere. Back then they charged $8 for a small bag of gravel, like 5 pounds or so. At the time I mowed lawns to support my hobby and my budget was pretty thin at around $28 a week! The trick back then was to go to the quarry or the garden store to get it, looks like that's still the case. $8 at either one of those places will probably buy you 30 pounds of the stuff.

Of course, 20 years ago, myself and some other local teenage boys who were into aquaria found we could save a lot of money by uhhh.. discreetly scooping up some of the neighbors driveway gravel... at night.
After all, it was the same quartz stuff they sold at the LFS for $8 a bag!!

I am going to get some Lava Rock for the tank, I suppose I can find some at Lowes or Home Depot. I've matured a bit in the intervening 20 years and my income has increased, so I don't think I'll be making any midnight raids on the neighbors driveway.