New To The Fish World

[Grizgirl]

I bought a 2.5 gallon Aqueon Minibow a week ago and did the run through cycle w/o fish. So today I bought some bumblebee platies and was told by the store clerk that I don't need a heater. I do have a hood and a light on this aquarium but I am second guessing this guy.

Anywho, any thoughts/advice?

 

[Caprichoso]

Welcome to the forum

You should have a heater but more importantly, 2.5 gallons isn't big enough for anything except maybe the exception of dwarf shrimp. If it were me, I would be thinking of upgrading to a bigger tank. You probably don't want to hear that but it's just my honest opinion. I would also suggest looking at the beginner section of the forum as you are doing a fish-in cycle, which can be challenging for someone new to the hobby.

Good luck

 

[Grizgirl]

Welcome to the forum

You should have a heater but more importantly, 2.5 gallons isn't big enough for anything except maybe the exception of dwarf shrimp. If it were me, I would be thinking of upgrading to a bigger tank. You probably don't want to hear that but it's just my honest opinion.

Good luck

You know, honest opinions are the best kind.

I just want to get me feet wet and understand what kind of costs I will be getting into. I now know (from reading other's posts) not to trust folks from Petco or Petsmart for aquarium needs. The guy there said I could have 2 platies in this tank and no heater. Oh well.. I will be watching these two (I did sex them myself since the guy at the store said there is no way of finding out..).

I will probably get a 10 gallon with all the 'fixings' so I can have a thriving tank.

Thanks for the welcome and please be honest... that is the only way I will learn!

 

[HayzH]

Welcome to the forum

You should have a heater but more importantly, 2.5 gallons isn't big enough for anything except maybe the exception of dwarf shrimp. If it were me, I would be thinking of upgrading to a bigger tank. You probably don't want to hear that but it's just my honest opinion.

Good luck

You know, honest opinions are the best kind.

I just want to get me feet wet and understand what kind of costs I will be getting into. I now know (from reading other's posts) not to trust folks from Petco or Petsmart for aquarium needs. The guy there said I could have 2 platies in this tank and no heater. Oh well.. I will be watching these two (I did sex them myself since the guy at the store said there is no way of finding out..).

I will probably get a 10 gallon with all the 'fixings' so I can have a thriving tank.

Thanks for the welcome and please be honest... that is the only way I will learn!

if you buy another tank..please cycle it first...fish can die at just 0.25 of Ammonia present in the water..i lost my 3 Mollies this way (on recommendation of P@H) My tanks are in the 2nd and 3rd week, so its not a quick process..but will be worth it in the end ....i am assured anyway!! lol Welcome xx

 

[the_lock_man]

I just want to get me feet wet and understand what kind of costs I will be getting into. I now know (from reading other's posts) not to trust folks from Petco or Petsmart for aquarium needs. The guy there said I could have 2 platies in this tank and no heater. Oh well.. I will be watching these two (I did sex them myself since the guy at the store said there is no way of finding out..).

I will probably get a 10 gallon with all the 'fixings' so I can have a thriving tank.

Thanks for the welcome and please be honest... that is the only way I will learn!

If you get your feet wet, you've definitely been badly advised

Seriously, though, if the shop assistant said there's no way of sexing a platy, then that indicates the level of expertise this person has - they are about as easy as it gets. Did you end up with a pair, or two of a kind? If you got a pair, then expect lots of little platies in about a month.

General advice on a bigger tank is to get the biggest you have room for - that way there's more water to dilute any errors that occur.

 

[Grizgirl]

Thanks everyone for your input. I may go out and get the 10 gal and cycle it before adding my platies into it. At least I have a little more knowledge and reading the beginner page helped out a lot. I have lots to learn!

 

[Grizgirl]

I just want to get me feet wet and understand what kind of costs I will be getting into. I now know (from reading other's posts) not to trust folks from Petco or Petsmart for aquarium needs. The guy there said I could have 2 platies in this tank and no heater. Oh well.. I will be watching these two (I did sex them myself since the guy at the store said there is no way of finding out..).

I will probably get a 10 gallon with all the 'fixings' so I can have a thriving tank.

Thanks for the welcome and please be honest... that is the only way I will learn!

If you get your feet wet, you've definitely been badly advised

Seriously, though, if the shop assistant said there's no way of sexing a platy, then that indicates the level of expertise this person has - they are about as easy as it gets. Did you end up with a pair, or two of a kind? If you got a pair, then expect lots of little platies in about a month.

General advice on a bigger tank is to get the biggest you have room for - that way there's more water to dilute any errors that occur.

Sorry I forgot to answer your question.... I did end up getting a pair!