Hi All

[chigwellhammer]

Im Jamie 17 From London, Ive always been interested in fish and regularly go fishing. Im now really interested in setting up a decent tank only problem is i cant afford that decent equipment etc , Anyone give me some tips if i should go for tropical or is that to hard for me? or should i stick to coldwater. Any links for cheap tanks or anything is ( round 35 - 50 quid for a tank) Not much i no , What fish? What plants ?

Any help is really appreciated.

Thanks for reading

Jamie

 

[PDSimon]

Welcome to TFF

For starters, tropical is freshwater you mean coldwater I assume.

I think if you do some research, you'll be able to pick up a great second hand tank. If you are patient, you'll find great deals like this too - My link

Some people even give away fish they can't keep... Its a bit awkward on a low budget but I wouldn't say it was impossible at all, it would require a bit of DIY for certain aspects of the tank, maybe plants would be a bit expensive on top of everything, but if you could find some slate (or other inert rocks) you could scape the tank nicely.

The link I showed you was more than your budget I know, but if you look around on the classified website on this site, there are plently of other sites too. Ebay as well...

If you're looking to buy something brand new you're going to struggle though!

Essential things, like liquid water testing kits, are going to be atleast 10 quid from ebay, mine was 20 from amazon. I think over time you would have to spend more than 50, and 30 is near impossible i'd say lol

but say, argos play sand, 3-4 quid as a substrate for your tank, try and find some slate or something to put in and put some cheap hardy plants (vallisneria spirallis or something). You've still got a heater, filter and lighting to buy.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Sorry yeah that is what i meant!, But will i struggle with filters and all that larky?

 

[PDSimon]

I think for 50 pound, you'd struggle on it all... but if you find someone selling all there stuff off you can get really good deals.

When I say struggle, I just mean, you can't just go out and buy something, you'll have to lurk around waiting for the right deals etc.

You'd have to do quite a lot of research into what is available and what you want.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Okay thanks, Would you say tropical fish are easy to look after?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Hi

Tropical/Freshwater is a better option in my opinion( much more variety), coldwater is basically goldfish. The only main difference - depending on the fish of course - is the inclusion of a heater. I would go for freshwater if i were you, but maybe just start out with guppies, platies, swords etc they are relatively easy to keep. Also, goldfish are a nightmare, messy, grow way too big for most tanks...

but i also agree with Simon, it will be a push at under £50.. i dont even think its do-able unless you have the time to wait around for each item.

it may be best to look out on gumtree and loot etc for people throwing away tanks. Or you could even list that you are willing to pick up someones old tank on gumtree. if you look on ebay, all the tanks are going to cost you, even cheap ones will need all the accessories; filter, heater, lighting etc

hope this helps and good luck

 

[chigwellhammer]

yeah i really do appreciate the help! , Is the heater easy to set-up? and are all the fish basically the same even if throw one in at a later date say. I really am new to this so i am sorry for the nooby qustions!

 

[PDSimon]

No the fish vary massively and require research!

Hence me advising you that a liquid test kit is essential. Your tap water may not suit certain fish.

You're probably going to have a small tank, so you'll be looking into fish that will fit something small, so they will only be a couple of cm's. You could also get some small cherry shrimp.

heaters are easy, turn to right temperature, put in tank, turn on.

I'd advice looking through the beginners section on this website, there are two methods to do once you have a setup tank to add fish.

you can either do a fish in cycle, where you stock the tank lightly but have to do large regular water changes
or
Fishless cycle where you add ammonia(you'll find various blogs on here with people doing fishless cycling as its nicer for the fish)

Plenty of reading if you still want a fish tank

 

[chigwellhammer]

Okay thank you , anyone got any links of fish i could have ? fairly cheap and different types etc and they all need the same attention ie temperature etc. or you lot can tell me

Would this be a good starting off tank?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/28-LTR-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-FRESHWATER-TROPICAL-/400119500512?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5d28fb0ee0#ht_4177wt_1168

 

[PDSimon]

Not sure about the fish, don't really know much about small fish at all

That tank is ok, but its over £50 pound with P&P. You could possibly get something used, close to you and pick it up?

 

[chigwellhammer]

I dont mind a bit over that roughly what im looking at spending not like 300 - 400 like some of you lol

 

[PDSimon]

It's so easy to spend money. Plently of people on this forum spend double that just on a tank.

But like anything, a lot of people don't want used stuff, but if you find someone who has looked after their belongings, you can get great deals.

Definately check out the classified section at the bottom of this site, if not atleast just to get an idea of whats on offer.

There will probably be someone near you where you could get cheap plants, fish/shrimp etc

 

[chigwellhammer]

Ok thank you very much. Just i need ideas on what different fish i can get and are easy to look after lol.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Ive been looking at guppies on ebay and seen quite allot of people sell them on there and then send them Royal Mail Special Delivery (TM) Next Day. Would this be okay? And how much roughly are guppies worth?

 

[chigwellhammer]

It's over the price i was looking to pay but would this be okay for a first tank ?
http://www.justfishtanks.co.uk/products/aquael-classic-kit-60-aquarium

Also this one? but im not sure if this one come's with heater and filter?
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product_group.asp?dept_id=385&pg_id=1195