To begin, I'm very new to fish keeping. My dad kept a SW reef about 15 years ago, so he knows what he's doing to some extent. His old 30 gallon tank (approximately 24x12x24 inches) is in the basement and he's given me the go ahead to try my luck with it. I'd like any and all advice anyone has to offer. What will I need? Approximately how much will it cost? I would like to get some German Blue Ram's but i would need to know how many, male to female ratio, etc. My brother also wants some Corydoras catfish so I'd like to know numbers wise what I could do with the space I have. I think I understand cycling, and I've read the sticky, but again, any suggestions are welcome.
newbie with an empty 30 gallon
- Thread starter valint1016
- Start date
I would say go with the Aquaclear 50, a little extra filtration and I think they were only 20 bucks on petsmart.com right now. I spent about about 50 on my 20 gallon so far for necessities, $13 for the substrate, $15 on chemicals and food, $25 for my filter, I had a heater (although its to big), a strip light and a thermometer laying around. I spent about $ bucks on plants so far
I think the most important would be to buy a test kit. IMO , API master test kit is the best , it usually costs about $20.00.
Are you going to do a fishless cycle? Or a fishy cycle? Fishless is the best way to go. Or if you can get some media from someones established tank would really be great.
GBR's are great BUT they are not a good starter fish, they are very sensitive and hard to keep even when you have a established tank.
Are you going to do a fishless cycle? Or a fishy cycle? Fishless is the best way to go. Or if you can get some media from someones established tank would really be great.
GBR's are great BUT they are not a good starter fish, they are very sensitive and hard to keep even when you have a established tank.
I second the AC 50 and the API Masterkit...AND the fishless cycling!
I would say that a school of 8-10 harlequin rasboras or zebra danios, 3-4 platies (only one male), and 6 corys would a great, active, hardy tank set-up for you.
*As a side note...GBR's get a bad rep (kind of like Dwarf gourmies) for their supposed "sensitivity." In my experience they are not such a challenge to keep as many people believe. Though I would never say that other people who have had problems with them are wrong I wouldn't want to steer you away from such a colorful and personable fish. However, I do not think it is a good idea to keep them until you have at least a little experience under your belt.
I would say that a school of 8-10 harlequin rasboras or zebra danios, 3-4 platies (only one male), and 6 corys would a great, active, hardy tank set-up for you.
*As a side note...GBR's get a bad rep (kind of like Dwarf gourmies) for their supposed "sensitivity." In my experience they are not such a challenge to keep as many people believe. Though I would never say that other people who have had problems with them are wrong I wouldn't want to steer you away from such a colorful and personable fish. However, I do not think it is a good idea to keep them until you have at least a little experience under your belt.
YES buy a test kit! Having had a 30 gallon community tank years ago, I knew that tanks went through a biological process but the specifics were not known to me until I came to this forum. Unfortunately I already had a 20 gallon long tank with four White Clouds Minnows started. Thanks to this forum my tank is fine, but the API Master Kit has been a godsend. It was recommended by many here at AC. No matter what types of fish and plants you end up purchasing, you will need that test kit. Good Luck!
Thanks for the advice! I do plan on doing a fishless cycle, and I will be sure to purchase an API test kit. I will look into the Aquaclear filters as well. I will take the advice on learning a bit more before I try Rams. I should be going to my LFS within a month to get started. Thanks again!
I agree, but would personally change the rasboras / danios to Tetras and the Platies with Dw. Gourami, but that's the great thing. It's about what you like. Check out LFSs in your area and feel free to run "what abouts" by the folks here.
As far as the costs associated, they can vary widely but you can do it fairly cheaply if you take your time. Also (you may already know this), Petsmart will honor their online prices in store. Print out the item description and take it into the store. Few bucks here and there adds up in the long run.
Good luck and welcome to AC!