New Starters In Notts

[Travwes]

Hi All
 
Where do people recommend to go to for the initial set up for a first timer? Want to be able to talk and ask Qs before spending!!
 
Notts / Lincs pref but will travel to get it right.
 
Also any good advice on real wood tank/cabinets, this is our pref at the moment.
 
Cheers all
 
Gareth

 

[fluttermoth]

to the forum, Gareth
 
My main piece of advice, for starters, would be to read up on fishless cycling. You need to build up a colony of good bacteria in your filter that eat the fish's wastes for you and stop the water becoming toxic, and the best way to do that is with a fishless cycle; that way you grow the bacteria before you add any fish to the tank. The alternative is a fish-in cycle, which can make your fish very sick, or even kill them, while the bacteria grow.
 
Second, decide if there are any fish you really must have, and make sure you buy a tank that is big enough for them! There's nothing worse than having your heart set on a fish and finding out your tank's not large enough until after you've spent your hard earned cash on it!
 
Lastly; ask loads of questions on here. A lot of the people (not all, of course, but many) who work in fish shops are just doing it as a job, and their ultimate aim is to part you from your money. Many are also not up to date on the latest research and techniques in the hobby, at least in our member's experiences.
 
Here we have no axe to grind, no profit to be made, and we have some very knowledgeable experts who will help you with your choices

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum Gareth.
 
On here is pretty much the best place to ask questions, like Fluttermoth said, we're not in it for the profit, we're in it because we genuinely care for the welfare of the fish.
 
The place to read up on the fishless cycling is in the Beginners Resource Centre which is linked in mine and Fluttermoth's sig.
 
IMO the best tip for a beginner is to get the biggest tank you can afford, have room for and that you have time to maintain. A bigger tank is much easier to keep balanced, the reason being is that there is a much larger body of water to dilute any problems that could occur. 

 

[toshapetriji]

Welcome to TFF Gareth, here is a great place to learn about fishkeeping, you wont find better.
 
If you have a Maidenhead Aquatics somewhere close you will find some lovely Wooden aquariums at reasonable prices.
 
Don't be afraid to ask questions here, you will find some very knowledgable people.