Very New Member

[Brian]

Hi All,
we have just bought our first ever tank and are in the process of maturing it before we buy any fish....In my time honoured tradition - I'm trawling the net ( is that an insensitive term on this site ? ) for information...just found this site and looks as if it could be useful......the only thing that I am looking for currently is some help with what to put in the tank - it's a 40 gallon tank, we don't want anything exotic to start with.......

Brian.

 

[William]

Hi,

Welcome!! For a first fish I would personally reccomend Platies, they can be colourful fun and they are hardy they will be good first fish for your tank. They are not aggressive and (in my experience) will not attack other fish. Also they breed easily too if you want this.

William 8)

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Hi Brian, welcome to the world of fish keeping.
I'd recomend any tetras.
The best thing I'd suggest is to go to your local shop, there's plenty in fife. I'd also recommed a trip to Stirling, there's the best shop in Scotland there, especally now that they have a new big shop.
Anyway go to your shop, have a look, and see if you fancy anything, then come back here and get info on it and we'll help tell you if you should get them or not

 

[Brian]

Thanks for the welcome....
Its nice to know there's someone to talk to....We've read all sorts of conflicting stories about maturing your tank....We've had water in the tank for a week, tested pH at 7.0, and temp is 24 degC, so we are on the right track there. We have added Filter start stuff ( very smelly ) - when do we put fish in - some advice reads 2-3 weeks, others say 3-4 fish to help the filter mature, which I can understand why.....any suggestions ?

thx, Brian.

 

[Davy Reynolds]

I've moved this as it's getting technical now. n' everyone will join if it's in the Q&A bit.


I wouldn't say it's conflicting, It's just peoples diffrent views, basicly the longer you wait the better.
It all comes from the cycle process. You've prob. read about it.
When fish are added they create wastes and food creates even more waste, this causes havoc with the water chemistry. So until you give the tank time to get into the cycle all #### can break loose.
Even when you add fish don't do it all at once cos it will be to much on the system. Get a few at a time.