Feesh

[Laurelin]

so I finally decided I did not need a cat or chinchilla. I think I'm going to stick to dogs...

And fish! I've decided to start gathering things this weekend and start researching!

But I don't know what I want. Anyone got any good recommendations for beginner friendly setups? I've only had 10 gallons or less in the past. Have not settled on a tank size yet but it will definitely be 29+ gallons.

 

[Stingr69]

Goldfish are cool but messy. Even the exotic ones are cheap to buy but they are all hard to house due to the need for huge wide tanks. Regular weekly 25% water changes and tank cleanings are a must. Cheap to keep otherwise. They need a TON of vertical water flow for proper aerobic waste conversion. Keeping them happy and healthy for years requires a 10 step program such as found on "goldfish emergency 911" web site. They will live for years and get HUGE. I kept 4 of them together in a 50 gallon wide tank and the Oranda was my favorite. He was the most interactive. Always happy to see me and he liked to splash water at my wife when ever she would walk by close to the tank. :lol-sign:

 

[Maxy24]

I've recently gotten very into fish. I was on the verge of giving them up because after years of neglect while I was in college all of my fish were dying. Plus I HATE water changes and the tank is in my brothers room where no one can see it. But once we were down to three fish I got sad and decided I'd give it another go, doing it right this time. So I'm currently restocking.

We have a 55 gallon and I currently have:
1 Angel fish
1 rubbernose pleco
1 Platy
7 harlequin rasboras
6 false julii cories

And I plan to add
1 Bolivian ram
6 cherry barbs
6 Tetras of some sort...haven't decided. Or maybe neon dwarf rainbowfish.


My advice is to plan ahead. Don't impulse buy fish or listen to the pet store people, do your research even if it means you have to make multiple trips to the store. Don't overstock. Do your weekly water changes religiously.

You might want to pick a centerpiece fish first, or start with your favorite fish and then go from there. I love cories and had to switch my tank to sand so I could get them (I love the sand though too, much easier to clean than gravel. Though it does have it's cons). They are my "must have" fish, as is the angel, I love them. The angel limits what I can have though. I'm really excited about the ram too, I've never had rams and hear good things about their personalities.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I really like the 40 gallon breeder tanks. They're pretty useful for doing just about anything with freshwater - also not too expensive and imo much easier to clean than deeper tanks.

Aquariums are one of those things that are as complicated as you want to make them. One can do a very beautiful aquarium without a ton of fancy stuff.

Stuff that I will encourage anyone though is:
Buy a quality filter
Buy a quality heater
Buy just a couple fish at most to start a new tank
Don't overcrowd the tank with either decorations but at the same time hiding spots are very important to fish.
Decide on compatible fish and stick to that.
Plan for when your fish potentially outgrows your tank

 

[Dekka]

I quite like my set up. Its ~30 gallons I think. I have some natural plants etc.

In my tank I have

3 Gouramis of varying types.

A few guppies

One golden algea eater

One Pictus catfish (Named Mr Tinglypants the III)

One vampire shrimp

and a glass catfish.

 

[Laurelin]

I'm kind of thinking various tetras and then some cory cats. I don't know what else to put in there though. I like the look of gourami but haven't researched at all. In the past I've had ottos, bettas, several tetra species, emerald corys, some shrimp, snails. I think that's it?

I am planning on a low tech planted tank. Not 100% certain I want to go that all in yet. But I love the look. I'd be setting it up and getting plants established a while before adding fish.

 

[Maxy24]

I've heard pearl gouramis are very peaceful. You could also look into rams (though they tend to hang out on the bottom so maybe not the best centerpiece) or rainbow cichlids. I love my angel but you do have to be careful in choosing which tetras to go with them, if they're too little they'll get eaten and if they're nippy your angel will be harassed. You need to be careful with nippers around the gourami as well.

 

[Laurelin]

I bought a 29 gallon today! I kind of wanted to go bigger but thought this would be an easier setup with me as a not very strong single person. I almost went with a 38 gallon or a 40 breeder. But I think the 29 will be plenty for what I want, which is lots of little fish. And carrying it home and into the house, I'm glad I went 29 lol.

I just have the tank so far. Haven't picked out the filter, think I'm going to go with Finnex for lighting. Tank stand is on order from Amazon.

Woohoo! I'm excited!

What should I put in there though? I know I want cory cats. Not sure which species of cory yet. Other than that, though... I have no idea!

 

[Kat09Tails]

You're a fairly artsy person so this may help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-Z_sGLjAw

Have fun with it but don't put too much stuff in the tank.

When you finally get fish get only a couple to start with so you can cycle it at least for a few weeks. Too many fish at once and you're going to have a bad time.