Hello Everyone

[Simon.Chenery]

Hello everyone i would like to introduce myself, my name is simon i am 19 years old and i am seriously thinking about starting up a tropical fish tank, all your ideas and help would be much appreciated! thanks all

 

[Curiosity101]

Welcome to TFF, I suggest first you read the following articles:
What's Cycling
The Nitrogen Cycle
Fishless Cycling
Fish-in Cycling

They will explain to you how to get your tank ready and safe for fish. Many fish shops (and indeed the guides to set up a tank). Will suggest you simply fill the tank with water, let it run for 2 weeks and then start adding fish.
If you follow advice like that you will find you end up with alot of dead fish very quickly.

What sort of money/space do you have available for a tank? We could help try to find you a second hand tank... or if you want to buy new then we can suggest some good brands/kits.

Oh and a couple of common misconceptions. Goldfish aren't 'easy' fish for small tanks. Tropical isn't harder, just requires a heater. And a larger tank is often easier to maintain than a smaller tank (up to about 200l)

 

[Simon.Chenery]

Hello curiosity im looking for maybe a 3 foot tank or something around that size...dont want anything too big to be honest with you as this will be my first tropical tank...and my 1st ever proper tank! if you guys could find me a good second hand tank that would be great

 

[Curiosity101]

Oki dokes. What area are you based in? 3ft is a perfect size for a starter tank! You'll have alot of stocking options open to you

 

[Simon.Chenery]

I am based in SE London - Brommley, i thought a 3foot tank would be a decent size for a starter no too big not too small

 

[Curiosity101]

Here is a list of possibilities...
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fluval-Aquarium-36-length-18-height-30-width-/270616941356?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3f0206d32c

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/122-62-cm-Fish-Tank-/220645325742?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item335f7c7bae

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rena-180-Litre-Bowfront-tank-and-stand-/320569678767?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4aa3711baf

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Not-missed-Fluval-Roma-125-Fish-Tank-Cabinet-/150474826106?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2308ffa17a

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aqua-One-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Approx-120L-/320569795123?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4aa372e233

http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_172205.php

Then of course it's worth checking the classifieds here

 

[Simon.Chenery]

thanks for searching for some tanks for me there is one person...the one selling this one ----->http/cgi.ebay.co.u...=item4aa372e233 who actually lives about 5 minutes away from me! so could be a good buy

 

[Curiosity101]

You'd probably want to buy a new filter for it. I'd recommend a fluval 4+ or fluval U3 or a small external.

And I'd suggest you go to some fish shops to have a look at some bow front tanks that are set up. They can slightly distort the image of the fish from some angles so it's worth going to have a look around at some that are set up (often big shops have a few display tanks). Plus you can do some window shopping for fish and bring back a list of fish that caught your eye

 

[Simon.Chenery]

ye it doesnt come with anything just the tank...i had my eye on the fluval 4+ there a guy selling 2 in the classifieds...i sent that ebayer a message to see if i could buy it from him for £50 cash on collection, just waitin for an email back! i hope he lets me! looks like a decent tank

 

[Curiosity101]

It comes with it's hood which has a light, also comes with it's heater and a thermometer. Add a fluval 4+ in and you'll be cycling within days.

Did you read the links I gave you? If you did, did you decide on fishless or fish-in cycling?

 

[Simon.Chenery]

not read them yet but i have a rough idea of what to do i think id probs go for the fishless cycle...seems to be what everyone else does

 

[Curiosity101]

At the end of the day it's down to each individual. But I'd never choose to do a fish-in cycle as I know full well how much hard work it is. And it seems unfair that may impatience results in a fish being exposed to toxins.

 

[Simon.Chenery]

ill make sure i have a good read of everything before i start! what do you reckon is better sand or gravel? does it really matter?

 

[Curiosity101]

Depends what stock you want really. If you want bottom feeders like corys and/or kuhli loach (and some other kinds of loach) then you'd definitely be best with sand as they like to dig around and gravel can really damage their barbels.

If you don't want any of those then it's purely down to asthetics really. Although don't let anyone tell you sand is harder to clean than gravel or vice versa. They just have two completely different techniques for cleaning.

 

[Simon.Chenery]

cool what is the easiet to clean!? what would you suggest to a beginner like myself!?