I'm So New, I Don't Even Have An Aquarium Yet.

[kmur]

Hi!

I've always thought aquariums were beautiful, but never had space for one - I moved out two years ago in to a big place, and am just now getting around to the serious planning of starting an aquarium. I wanted something big enough to have options, but small enough to be easy to manage - My mother had a decent condition 32US gallon long-form aquarium in her attic with stand, and that sounds about perfect to me, so that's what I'm planning around. I intend to buy most of the mechanical necessities (lid, lighting filtration) in about a month, so until this, I intend to stick around and read all I can and decide what kind of fish I want, so I know what I need to plan around! The goal is to be able to have the tank all cycled and planted and ready to go around my birthday in late January, so I can consider it a personal birthday present to myself when I go get my fish(es.) I am lucky to have a really passionate and dedicated local tropical fish store; And, I know, don't trust everything you hear. I visit their store pretty regularly though (and have been since 3 locations ago - They're doing very well, they keep having to move in to bigger places) and they have their own carefully planned breeding facilities and everything. This forum looks like a very accepting and helpful place, so I'm hoping that with you guys on my side, and with a passionate family owned business on my side, I can set myself up for success.

I hope to learn much from everyone here; Thanks for taking the time to be so helpful!

 

[Wills]

Hi welcome the forum!

You sound like you are on 100% the right track and it is such a nice thing to see

Best thing to learn about and read about now is whats called the Fishless cycle! Its the best tip you will get that you will not get told in a shop or read in a book. Its in the begginers resource section on this forum in the your new tank section

Any ideas which fish you want to keep yet?

Wills

 

[kmur]

Any ideas which fish you want to keep yet?

I think the problem is that I have too many ideas on what fish I want to keep! I'm trying to stay open to ideas - Over the years of oh-so longingly looking at the fish at my local fish place, I have a few favorites. Right now, my current thought is a small shoal of lemon tetras (probably 8 fish or so.) I really like the Ottos, but I've read they're a little hard to keep. Still debating giving it a try, though! I really love the Dojo Loaches that I see sometimes, but after a quick search, have determined that my tank probably isn't quite big enough for a pair. Corys are nice, too, and since they're mostly bottom dwellers, and the tank I'm planning is way more long than high, I think I could have a group or 8 lemon tetras and 5 or 6 corys. I think that's be about maxing it out though. Lots of ideas! Just gotta decide what ideas are right for me.

I do know that I want to have a somewhat heavily planted (real plants, of course) tank. I just think they look amazing. But, exactly how I handle that depends on what fish I decide I want!

\\edit
And I just realized the Dojos were cold-water fish. I guess that explains why they were always in their own tank when I saw them! Darn.

 

[kizno1]

That sounds good. I would go for a few smaller fish and then a pair of bigger fish maybe
3 apistogramma agassizii (1male 2 females) or any common apistogramma would work. or 2 Bolivian rams or 2 dwarf flag cichlids
8 corys
1 bristlenose or clown plec
10 lemon tetra
3 steel blue killis (1 male, 2 females)
As long as you have good filtration that should be fine. Ottos could work but they need a lot of algae or they often stave so there best for heavily planted tanks.

 

[kmur]

Today I saw Celestial Pearl Danios - They were really neat looking (though quite timid, but I was told they hadn't been there long.) I was allured by their really small size, and was excited to come home and read that they really don't get much bigger! That is definitely an idea for me right now. I found another fish that I thought was absolutely amazing looking. Was in with the cichlids but I'm pretty sure it wasn't one. Was unlabeled though. I came home to try and find out what it was but it's not lookin' so well. Guess I should have asked when I was there.

They're were a ton brighter looking in real life, and appeared to be at least loosely schooling. Gonna keep tryin' to find out what they were.