Here We Go

[Razgriz]

Hello everyone.

The joys of the internet now allow you to search for more or less anything online, and sub-sequently every site you visit tends to lead you in a different direction...

I'm very interested in setting up my own tropical fish tank, I've spent all day online looking through different websitees, trying to decide what I want, but I'm a little overwhelmed. I was going to go to one of my LFS's, but after reading sevral stories about people being given poor advice thought it best to stay online.

I've gone through various articles on here and intend to cycle my tank without any fish, but I would be greatful if I could get a few pointers to help me on my way.

First off the tank. I'm not really sure of size/price and what can hold who.
My original idea was to get a 60 litre (15.8 gallon) tank. Something like this

Is that a good starting place? I want one big enough for a few fish to be happy in, but not to the point its really expensive. Looking online prices tend to be any where between £40 to £140

Should I get everything by its self, gravel, filter, heater, pump, or should I get a good combo pack. Also does anyone have any estimations of what sort of cost I can expect for a good set up? Again I seem to come back with lots of varied prices, so any input would be good.

My plan was to put a Betta (love the colour) in it, and some Neon Tetra (they seem to get on well with the betta and look really cool). Is there room for anything else in there, or any other good combinations you can reccomend?

Once I get my tank, I know I need to cycle it. Should I set the tank up fully before I do this?
I.E. Tank -> Gravel -> decoration -> water (de-clorine it first) -> plants -> cycle -> fish

I've got the cycle thread and the starter information threads bookmarked for future reference, and will read through them fully over the weekend, but I just want to make sure I'm on the right track.

Any recomendations or pointers would be appreciated, thanks

 

[anwhyte]

Hi, as a 1st tank i would go for an all in one set-up like the Juwel Rekord range or similar, they're easy to get up and running as a beginner and you shouldn't have to pay more than £100 for the sort of size you're after. Although it's a good idea to get the largest tank you can afford as they are easier to maintain. I wouldn't recommend getting neon tetra's as a 1st fish, they tend to die in new set-ups (even if tank is cycled) and would be best added after 6 months or so, cardinal tetra's should be OK tho. I'm sure others will have more advice.

 

[simonas]

I have a tank a similar size thatsbeen in my sons room for years. If you can get something a little bigger say 3ft then go for it as it gives you more possibilities and its easier to keep a larger tank than a smaller tank

Why not look on line for second hand set ups to reduce the cost? I always buy second hand and save that way

you could start with the likes of platies guppies as starter fish and go on from there with neons and bettas?

 

[Razgriz]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a poke around in various shops at all in one set ups, see what sort of cost they are, then also have a look at some 2nd hand ones. I would love a really big tank, it would save me buying one now and then thinking I need a bigger one later down the road.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to TFF Razgriz.
You are on the right track thinking that bigger is better when starting out. A larger tank takes no more care than a small one but will provide lots of options for stocking compared to a small tank. I buy much of my equipment used from fish club auctions at very attractive prices but, unless you are familiar with the equipment out there, that can be chancy. You could end up with a small filter or heater when a larger one is needed, or vice-versa.
Once you have your tank up and running, and the cycle is started, it would be a good idea to visit some fish shops and just write down the name of fish that appeal to you. I would bet that with 10 or 15 fish that really appeal to you, we could put together a selection of 3 or 4 that would work for a new fish keeper in a newly cycled tank and would be compatible with each other.

 

[Razgriz]

Thanks oldman

I went into my LFS today. After a lot of poking around I found a 100 litre tank that comes with a heater, filter and a light for £100. I'm going to pick it up after the weekend. I'm not sure on the measurements but its essentialy just a large rectangle, nothing too fancy

I've got some gravel from a friends old tank that I've rinsed out ready to put in.

Also going to get an API tester kit for the water.

As for the fish, I really cant deciede. I've seen plenty in shops and on websites and I quite like the look of lots of them. Especialy angel fish and betta's. I'm not sure if my tank would be tall enough for an angel though.

When I get the measurements of the tank I'll post them to let you know.

 

[abih2005]

NEON TETRAS - are not starter fish despite what the lfs will tell you, they're not hardy enough - get cardinals instead but only after the initial batch of fish have settled in.

 

[waterdrop]

NEON TETRAS - are not starter fish despite what the lfs will tell you, they're not hardy enough - get cardinals instead but only after the initial batch of fish have settled in.

Agree with Abi. Neons are great beginner fish but you'll do much better if they're introduced at the 6 month point in a tank's life (or later.) Agree with the other good comments in this thread. WD

 

[Razgriz]

Yay, at last, I got my tank today

It is a Aquael 90/98 Litre tank. I'm not sure which, it has both on the side of the box???

It is 70 x 35 x 40 cm

It came with a light in the hood.
A FanFilter Fan-2 Plus filter, It says 100-150l tank, 450 l/h,
A Comfort Zone AQn 75W heater. It says 35-75L, that seems a bit too small for my tank?

Also have some food and some water purifier, and £10 worth of fish credit to collect when my tank is set up

I'm going to wash my gravel out and set it up tomorrow, will post a photo as soon as I get chance.

Looking at fish, I feel pulled in so many directions. I would love some angel fish and clown loaches, but if they grow to 20-30cm they might be a little squashed... Not want to do that. Really want some tetra's but like the posters above said, I will wait for my tank to mature first.

Looking on websites and in the shop though there are loads of bright colourful fish out there so I will be able to find some great ones for my tank.

I will get a testing kit on Thursday, find out what my water conditions are and post them on here.

Edit: My tank is 98 litres, the 90 litre on the box is for the Bow front version of the tank, but mine is just flat.

 

[Razgriz]

Pictures of the tank. I've washed it out, and washed the gravel/lighthouse from a friends old tank out, obviosuly I will need some more gravel I've put the heater/filter in although I may get a more powerful heater if needed.

Gonna clear some space on my chest and put it on there shortly

 

[Timmy_Bee]

clown loaches will soon out grow your tank. i fell for that one myself!

If you want something a bit different to Tetra's, you could have a look at Barbs (thats what i did!) - i think they are nicer fish, but that comes at a cost - they are a bit agressive and nip at fish with long fins (eg Angels)
edit: what i mean by this is dont keep barbs with anything with long fins

But it looks like a good tank and you should have some fun

P.s. Great to see someone take advice from the friendly internet before being fooled by their LFS!

 

[Razgriz]

Thanks Tim

I've been looking at fish today.

Looking for ones that look really cool, as well as having similar water/temperature needs. They all seem to like a slightly acidic to neutral PH, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 27 degrease C.

I would love 2 angel fish. Would anyone be able to confirm if they would be ok in my tank? I've looked on lots of different sites/search engines and seem to get lots of different answers. I think they would be ok but would like to be sure.

From there, some sort of combination of the following.

1x Ruby Shark, 12cm, 23-26'C
5x Three Lined Cory, 6cm, 22-25'C
2-4x Gold Ram (Or similar), 6cm, 22-25'C
~10x Neon Tetra (Or similar tetra), 4cm, 20-26'C
~10x Threadfin Rainbow (or similar rainbow fish), 5cm, 22-27'C
10x Guppy, 5cm, 18-25'C
10x Platy, 5cm, 21-25'C
1x Bristlenose Pleco, 12cm, 23-27'C

Obviosuly I'm not going to stock my tank with all those xD just find a combination of the above that should hopefully work!

 

[Harlequins]

Nice tank

On average its normally inch of fish per gallon rule on start up,your tank being 22 Gals so therefore 22 inches of fish.This obviously does not always go has it should,this is normally aimed at slim bodied fish,whereas fuller bodied fish that may only reach 2 inches may have a bigger bio load etc...all different factors must be taken into account.

Your tank is too small for angels i'm afraid,these need tall tanks around 18 inches tall.

Ruby shark will be too aggressive and grow to large for your tank.

If you aim on keeping guppys or platies,you'd be better off with all males,or within a few months of keeping mixed sex you will be overloaded with fry.

I'm not very good with stocking so i'm sure someone could help you with combinations.

If you do go for cories,i would opt for changing your gravel to sand,cories prefer this to gravel and will stop their barbels wearing down

 

[Razgriz]

Thanks Harlequins.

Kinda bummed about not being able to have an angelfish, but it would be worse to have one and squash the poor thing

In that case I might go back to my original plan and get a lovely colourful betta, then find some peaceful tank mates. Will pop to the LFS tomorrow to pick up some gravel, tester kit and stuff and have another look!

 

[Razgriz]

So today I went out and got some gravel, my API tester kit, a sunken ship that looks really cool and a thermometer.

I washed out my gravel, put it in the tank, then started to fill the tank up. Had to put a bucket in the shower, fill it up, then carry it accross the hall to get to the tank >_< took me 13 trips lol.

Anyway, here is my tank atm.

And my ship, which will blow bubbles once I put an air pump in there.

I'm going to test the water in a little while, then get some plants tomorrow and hopefully find some amonia.

Edit: Just done the PH test, and I have 7.4-7.6 PH, going to lower it to just below 7.0