Hard lessons learned by a total noob, maybe these will help you

[anewbie]

A couple of comments -

a) if you know what you are doing kits are awful and a real waste of money.
b) 20 long are a nice beginner aquarium - though 29 are ok but a lot of them are poorly made which can be problematic if the spring a leak. the problem with a 10 isn't just overstocking but it is much more difficult to keep stable and stability is important to fishes.
c) The nitrogen cycle will kill beginners every time.
d) never over stock - over stocking is a quick way to kill off the fishes. beginners want a lot of fishes and 'excitement' but the more fishes the more problems.
e) pick the fish for the type of water you have.
f) test kits are optional if you ahve a pet shop that is willing ot test the water a few times for you.

 

[JCinPA]

Sad puppy dog eyes won't work.

You don't know The Boss™. That won't work. We're like Frank and Marie Barone on the old show Everybody Loves Raymond. Later in the year, I'll get the kids to ask her to let me put a big tank in the family room where the grandkids can see it.

 

[Back in the fold]

Sad puppy dog eyes won't work.

We're like Frank and Marie Barone

Frank held his own . Marie didn’t get the best of him ALL the time . Go get your aquarium .

 

[anewbie]

Frank held his own . Marie didn’t get the best of him ALL the time . Go get your aquarium .

No. No reason to antagonize Marie. After all at the end of the day Frank really loves Marie and that's why they get along.

 

[Donya19 19]

Many think a 10 gallon is a good starter tank but unless you specifically want to keep a betta or a half-dozen neon tetras in a nano tank on your desk, think minimum size of 20 gallons or even 29.

What's this 'or' business? It should be: get the 10gal and the 20gal and the 29gal.

 

[JCinPA]

That's reasonable. lol

 

[anewbie]

That's reasonable. lol

Not for a first timer - they should learn to keep a fish before they start dealing iwth multiple aquariums.