Im about to move and in a couple weeks plan on getting a tank going. I was thinking about a corner tank since it would be pretty stable and for some reason the fish I see in those seem so much bigger. I think its a magnification thing going on with the concave glass but I could be mistaken. I have a Petsmart locally and a few mom and pop style shops to browse but the employees cant answer alot of questions and I wouldnt exactly trust their answers. So educate me! I am thinking that I want to use sand instead of gravel. Also I would like some large rocks. Maybe some sticks to make it look like a lake bottom. Can I just grab some of the limestone rocks that are everywhere around here or will they jack up the water? So do you never change the water, just add some every now and then? A friend used to keep a couple gallons of water around that he would top off his tank with, is that more bogus info? How do you clean the tank if you never change out the water? Also, what filtration system do I really need? I read somewhere that a guy was using peat moss and had a blackwater tank. What the heck is that? I have had a rinky dink 5 gallon tank and some cheap-o fish but nothing really serious. I want around a 55 gallon tank. I know its a big step up, but I cant have a dog where I am moving. An aquarium will slide by I think. I actually thought about catching some bass to keep but I wouldnt know if that would work out. Anyways, thanks in advance for any help!
Aquariums
- Thread starter Swoop411
- Start date
theeloved1
New member
Just had to go back and check to see if you were the same person that had asked about the tanks in my bar thread (which I need to update btw)...
First things first...a corner or curved tank will be much more expensive than a rectangular one.
You should first figure out what type of fish you want to keep and base the tank and decorations around that. You need to know what type of fish you plan to keep, so that when you set the tank up you can arrange/decorate in a way that is good for the fish. Their natural habitats all vary. Also, when setting the tank up you need to know whether or not you have to alter the parameters of your tap water to match what the fish require. To do this, you'll need to first test your tap water and then compare it to what the fish you want need. You need a test kit that can test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, ph, and hardness for sure. You can get "strips" that you just dip in the water, or the chemical variety with test tubes which are far more accurate...both available at Petsmart.
The type of fish you want to keep, also determines what size/shape tank you should get. There's the obvious - bigger fish need a bigger tank, but there's also the fact that some fish need more swimming room. For example, some fish are far better off in a 55 gallon tank that is 4ft. long than they are in a 65 gallon tank that is only 3 ft. long but a bit deeper front to back.
Of course, all this tank decoration and shape talk pretty much gets thrown out the window if you're planning on just keep "community fish" like tetras, rasboras, etc...
Lets figure out what type of fish you think you want and then I can help more with actual setup, maintnance and upkeep.
Personally, if I was going to recommend a stock for a 55g tank it would be.
5 Labidochromis caeruleus - common name = lemon yellow, yellow lab, electric yellow
5 Psuedotropheus Acei - common name = Acei, yellow tail
and 5 Maylandia Estherae - common name = Red Zebra
All of these fish are most likely available at Petsmart, as they are about the most common of the mbuna from Lake Malawi. Lets just say, that they are the most popular for a reason. Great color, personality, and little aggression compared to other inhabitants of the same lake.
Of course, I'm also a little prejudice to the fish from this lake because its what I keep myself. Personal preference of course, but they are the most interactive, awesome fish you'll find. When I first set my 55 up, I tried to keep community fish such as Bala Sharks, Brilliant Rasboras, Silver Dollars, etc...it was so BORING...I took them all back after about a week and stocked up another tank like my big one.
First things first...a corner or curved tank will be much more expensive than a rectangular one.
You should first figure out what type of fish you want to keep and base the tank and decorations around that. You need to know what type of fish you plan to keep, so that when you set the tank up you can arrange/decorate in a way that is good for the fish. Their natural habitats all vary. Also, when setting the tank up you need to know whether or not you have to alter the parameters of your tap water to match what the fish require. To do this, you'll need to first test your tap water and then compare it to what the fish you want need. You need a test kit that can test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, ph, and hardness for sure. You can get "strips" that you just dip in the water, or the chemical variety with test tubes which are far more accurate...both available at Petsmart.
The type of fish you want to keep, also determines what size/shape tank you should get. There's the obvious - bigger fish need a bigger tank, but there's also the fact that some fish need more swimming room. For example, some fish are far better off in a 55 gallon tank that is 4ft. long than they are in a 65 gallon tank that is only 3 ft. long but a bit deeper front to back.
Of course, all this tank decoration and shape talk pretty much gets thrown out the window if you're planning on just keep "community fish" like tetras, rasboras, etc...
Lets figure out what type of fish you think you want and then I can help more with actual setup, maintnance and upkeep.
Personally, if I was going to recommend a stock for a 55g tank it would be.
5 Labidochromis caeruleus - common name = lemon yellow, yellow lab, electric yellow
5 Psuedotropheus Acei - common name = Acei, yellow tail
and 5 Maylandia Estherae - common name = Red Zebra
All of these fish are most likely available at Petsmart, as they are about the most common of the mbuna from Lake Malawi. Lets just say, that they are the most popular for a reason. Great color, personality, and little aggression compared to other inhabitants of the same lake.
Of course, I'm also a little prejudice to the fish from this lake because its what I keep myself. Personal preference of course, but they are the most interactive, awesome fish you'll find. When I first set my 55 up, I tried to keep community fish such as Bala Sharks, Brilliant Rasboras, Silver Dollars, etc...it was so BORING...I took them all back after about a week and stocked up another tank like my big one.
I thought about the community fish like the Bala Shark but they are real common and I would like something out of the ordinary without going so far as a saltwater tank. Thats why I thought about a bass! Ha-ha! I would like to set it up so it looks natural as far as the decorations are concerned. I really dont want gravel in the tank. I want sand. I would like some active fish that are colorful and not all that common. I was told I could order fish online but didnt really know about that. How do you mail fish? I would also like fish that get decent sized....not all little like tetras, but I dont want them to be all violent and kill all the other fish off like an oscar would. My friend said he had an oscar and came home to it laying on the floor because it would jump up and knock the lid off the tank and eventually out of the tank. Do they all go psycho like that?
theeloved1
New member
Those fish that I posted are as close (color wise) as you'll get to saltwater, without being saltwater. They are also VERY active and interactive with people. They rarely hide, are much hardier than community fish (life expectancy of 10-15yrs with proper care). The get to be upto 5" long, and are fast growing. They are also pretty easy to care for...great for beginners.
Sounds like about everything you are looking for. I might have to take a small video of my fish when I feed them tomorrow morning. You'll get a great idea of how active they are!!
Sounds like about everything you are looking for. I might have to take a small video of my fish when I feed them tomorrow morning. You'll get a great idea of how active they are!!
kompressornsc
New member
Aw man, now I miss my Chiclids.
I use to keep a lot of haps, and I bred hap Electras. My absolute favorite though is the Compressiceps-I had a 10" one for about 5 years in a 120g. And they're so cheap now - when I was keeping them, they were being bred much yet so they were pricey. I remember paying close to $200 for a sexed pair of Frontosas (but that was over 20 years ago).
If I didn't want to mess with salts, I would definitely go with the Africans. Best colors, personalities and activity. And if you get a pair of mouth-brooders, it's one of the coolest things you'll ever see. I could watch that for hours. Most towns have a mom & pop that specilize in Africans - just ask around.
And if you go with Africans, you don't need a lot of decoration. Just a few nice piles of rocks. I use to go get mine @ an old quarry, wash them in bleach, rinse them like crazy and pop'em in.
I use to keep a lot of haps, and I bred hap Electras. My absolute favorite though is the Compressiceps-I had a 10" one for about 5 years in a 120g. And they're so cheap now - when I was keeping them, they were being bred much yet so they were pricey. I remember paying close to $200 for a sexed pair of Frontosas (but that was over 20 years ago).
If I didn't want to mess with salts, I would definitely go with the Africans. Best colors, personalities and activity. And if you get a pair of mouth-brooders, it's one of the coolest things you'll ever see. I could watch that for hours. Most towns have a mom & pop that specilize in Africans - just ask around.
And if you go with Africans, you don't need a lot of decoration. Just a few nice piles of rocks. I use to go get mine @ an old quarry, wash them in bleach, rinse them like crazy and pop'em in.
LightngSVT
New member
You'll have higher upfront costs and a bit more maintenance, but I say go for salt! I have 2 salt water tanks (24g and 100g) plus a 25g freshwater with goldfish. I love the colors and shapes of the saltwater fish and the corals too! But Ive seen some pretty slick freshwater tanks too. Looks llike you got some good advice on here already!
theeloved1
New member
I would love to have a saltwater tank, but they are way more money and way more work....just can't justify it when I'm so happy with my Africans.
Here's a video of my mbuna in the big tank eating this morning. Its kinda crappy quality from all the glares on the glass and the fact that I'm using the video option on my P&S digital camera. http://media.putfile.com/Mbuna-Eating
You can see the big fish with the yellow tails...those would be a pair of ~5" Acei that I posted a picture of earlier. All the fish are plenty active as you can tell...you can see the water splash out the top of the tank. :LOLOL
Here's a video of my mbuna in the big tank eating this morning. Its kinda crappy quality from all the glares on the glass and the fact that I'm using the video option on my P&S digital camera. http://media.putfile.com/Mbuna-Eating
You can see the big fish with the yellow tails...those would be a pair of ~5" Acei that I posted a picture of earlier. All the fish are plenty active as you can tell...you can see the water splash out the top of the tank. :LOLOL
AL-53
Duragloss User
I would suggest to see if there is a local aquarium club in the area...go to a meeting...meet the members...lots of time they have fish to sell and lots of info on setting up tanks...
I belonged to one for years....met a lot of knowledgeable people and got lots of info on setting up tanks....I then progressed to breeding Apistos...West African Dwarf chiclids...I then got into importing fish for awhile...then I made the big step to start a salt water reef tank..first one was a a mini reef...20 gallon...I bought my live rock and sand from Fuji..had it shipped here...I cycled the tank and started to add corals...It was doing great...
I then wanted a bigger one...I went to a 65 gallon high tank....that looked great
Now I have 6 reef tanks 20 to 125 gallons....expensive hobby but rewarding...
I can not stress enough to join a club...as with out knowing procedures of setting up tanks it can be expensive learning from mistakes....there is a lot more to adding water and dumping fish in a tank....
Plus most of the clubs have auctions you can go to and get supplies and fish very cheap...
In our club I have achieved a title as a master breeder with the breeder points from breeding different species of fish
good luck and enjoy
Al
I belonged to one for years....met a lot of knowledgeable people and got lots of info on setting up tanks....I then progressed to breeding Apistos...West African Dwarf chiclids...I then got into importing fish for awhile...then I made the big step to start a salt water reef tank..first one was a a mini reef...20 gallon...I bought my live rock and sand from Fuji..had it shipped here...I cycled the tank and started to add corals...It was doing great...
I then wanted a bigger one...I went to a 65 gallon high tank....that looked great
Now I have 6 reef tanks 20 to 125 gallons....expensive hobby but rewarding...
I can not stress enough to join a club...as with out knowing procedures of setting up tanks it can be expensive learning from mistakes....there is a lot more to adding water and dumping fish in a tank....
Plus most of the clubs have auctions you can go to and get supplies and fish very cheap...
In our club I have achieved a title as a master breeder with the breeder points from breeding different species of fish
good luck and enjoy
Al
theeloved1
New member
^ Very true...clubs have so much better quality fish than the superstores.
LightngSVT
New member
Or try a great site like www.reefcentral.net if your into saltwater.
Here are two other great forums for aquarium keeping:
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/index.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/
I'm currently doing a fishless cycling of a small tank (20G) to house a couple of shell-dwellers. For the first time in 20 years of aquarium keeping, I am using sand and shells in a freshwater tank. As long as you buy the inert sand sold in the aquarium shop, and rinse it prior to use, you should be fine. Just be sure not get the uptake tube of your filter too close, or the sand will wreak havoc on the impeller. You'll also need to be careful not to suck up the sand when siphoning water out of the tank to clean and do water changes.
As far as your other questions, there is no need to leave water sitting around like people used to. These days, there are good products to remove the harmful chemicals from tap water before adding it to the tank. A few drops saves you the trouble of letting the chlorine evaporate over time.
Buy the largest filter your budget allows. Biowheel filters seem to be very popular, efficient and cost effective. For your purposes, a large one of those would probably be fine. If you want to go crazy, you could do a wet/dry setup with a separate tank and all, but that's a little more expensive and involved for someone who's basically starting out.
Don't keep bass in a home aquarium. They will not survive in a 55 gallon tank, and they are not the friendly, colorful fish you want. If you want something really unique, think about a gar. They are very different and will draw a lot of comments. However, they are also carniverous and will need a regular diet of feeder goldfish to snap-up between their alligator-like jaws. Very fun!
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/index.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/
I'm currently doing a fishless cycling of a small tank (20G) to house a couple of shell-dwellers. For the first time in 20 years of aquarium keeping, I am using sand and shells in a freshwater tank. As long as you buy the inert sand sold in the aquarium shop, and rinse it prior to use, you should be fine. Just be sure not get the uptake tube of your filter too close, or the sand will wreak havoc on the impeller. You'll also need to be careful not to suck up the sand when siphoning water out of the tank to clean and do water changes.
As far as your other questions, there is no need to leave water sitting around like people used to. These days, there are good products to remove the harmful chemicals from tap water before adding it to the tank. A few drops saves you the trouble of letting the chlorine evaporate over time.
Buy the largest filter your budget allows. Biowheel filters seem to be very popular, efficient and cost effective. For your purposes, a large one of those would probably be fine. If you want to go crazy, you could do a wet/dry setup with a separate tank and all, but that's a little more expensive and involved for someone who's basically starting out.
Don't keep bass in a home aquarium. They will not survive in a 55 gallon tank, and they are not the friendly, colorful fish you want. If you want something really unique, think about a gar. They are very different and will draw a lot of comments. However, they are also carniverous and will need a regular diet of feeder goldfish to snap-up between their alligator-like jaws. Very fun!
I saw the Gar last weekend when I went to a pet store. They look like the ones I caught in the lake.....just in miniature. I definately want the sand....and from what I have read fresh water since I will have to tear it down and move it once a year for the next year or so. The joys of single living...ha-ha! I do know when I get settled in one place I am going to try my hand at a saltwater tank, but for now I would like to get in the groove with a nice freshwater setup. Thanks for all the replies guys. Keep em coming if you want to!
Wasatch
New member
If you go with a fresh water tank, get some Clown Loaches and a few of them, there expensive, but some of the coolest fish around. No other fish will mess with them, if they do they will be in for a surprise, and most likely will croak, LOL
LightngSVT
New member
I agree moving saltwater is a PAIN! Thats why Im paying the local aquarium shop $250 to move my tanks when the new house is done. POst up some pics of your tank when you get it going!
White95Max
New member
Swoop411 said:
"So do you never change the water, just add some every now and then?"
Ask your fish if they'd like to swim around in ever-increasing concentrations of their own excrement until they die. Let me know what they say.
Gravel will allow better filtration with an undergravel system. Sand particles are too small to allow the passage of most waste in the aquarium.
I've had all kinds of native fish in my tanks: bass (LM, SM, rock), bluegills (many hybrids), perch, crappie, trout, pike, bullheads (brown, black, and yellow), and more.
I would advise against the idea of keeping bass or other predators, unless you're willing to buy a bunch of minnows everyday for them. Even then, in a 55gal tank I would not have any fish over 8" MAX.
Currently I have a bluegill and a creek chub in one tank, which will soon be home to a display of various native minnow species, and the other has a snapping turtle and a constantly decreasing # of minnows.
