Newbie Fist Tropical Tank

[maughin]

This is my first tropical fish tank so want to know how to plant what fish would be good what water treatments i would need buying this off gumtree comes with three fish but might give these to a friend and start a fresh the tank is a Juwel Rio 125 the fish im given are Parrot Fish, Rainbow Shark and an upside down fish. don't know much so be gentle any tips hints and advice would be great thank you im really serious bought this as I want to turn it into a hobby.

 

[Louiseness]

First you need to read the beginner's resource centre info about cycling. Although you might well be lucky because the tank already has fish in it, so your filter may well be mature enough, which is an awesome start!

First things you'll need to buy are a testing kit (at least for ammonia and nitrite, liquid tests are preferable to strips) as this will really help you avoid problems with your fish. Secondly, for now at least, don't touch the filter - don't clean it out or wash it. You need to keep it wet and it needs food from fish waste so I'd leave the fish in the tank for the time being.

Could you tell us how big the tank is? How many litres/gallons? Then we can help you a bit more with recommendations.

 

[KittyKat]

Firstly, please read about cycling, so that you don't kill off the filter bacteria when you pick it up If you get that right, you'll already be one step ahead of most people!

Basically, none of those fish are suitable for a tank that size, so they would probably benefit quite a lot from a bigger home.

If you give the fish to your friend, you either need to get new fish on the same day or feed ammonia to the filter, to keep it alive.

In terms of fish you could keep, any of these should be fine: http/aquariumadventure.wordpress.com/species-for-a-60-litre-aquariums/ , but keep in mind that some of those need to be kept in groups of 6+ (do best in groups of 10-15+), some you can keep only one of, others only a pair of and so on.. so do your research and ask lots of questions!

My usual suggestion for a tank like that is..
* (play) sand substrate
* undemanding plants
* 15 tetras of one species
* 1m 2f Apistogramma cacatuoides
* 10 Corys of one species

Before you pick up the tank, go and buy some dechlorinator which will deal with chlorine, chloramine and ammonia (like Stress Coat or Prime), and a liquid set of test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.

Good luck!

 

[Tizer]

Its 125 litres Kinda gives it away in the name ;D

 

[Louiseness]

Its 125 litres Kinda gives it away in the name ;D

Oh shush I never know whats going on with these tank names/numbers, tanks called 600 that have 60 litres, 125s, no idea, I only work in rectangles/length/width/height. Never drink coffee and I've had one just now, attention span is tiny

 

[maughin]

thanks everyone most helpful Juwel Rio 125 Fish Tank Measurements: 81 x 36 x 50 cm

 

[Tizer]

Its 125 litres Kinda gives it away in the name ;D

Oh shush I never know whats going on with these tank names/numbers, tanks called 600 that have 60 litres, 125s, no idea, I only work in rectangles/length/width/height. Never drink coffee and I've had one just now, attention span is tiny

Im on my 7th cuppa tea...slow day :\

 

[laura120381]

louiseness...i am exactly like you!!! LOL!!

 

[Blubble37]

your upside down fish is an upside down catfish i think...

 

[Blubble37]

+1 on kitty kat btw

 

[catfish4ever]

Its 125 litres Kinda gives it away in the name ;D

Oh shush I never know whats going on with these tank names/numbers, tanks called 600 that have 60 litres, 125s, no idea, I only work in rectangles/length/width/height. Never drink coffee and I've had one just now, attention span is tiny

Im on my 7th cuppa tea...slow day :\

+1