Newbie Confused

T

tra1216

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Mar 4, 2005
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Hi there! I am relatively new to the forums, but have already learned that what I thought I knew about fish is really squat. I am currently looking into getting a larger aquarium for my fish, but am finding that the people in the stores that I am familiar with know about as much as I do. When my husband and I set up our current 33g Hexagon Oceanic Aquarium, we consulted the local Tropical World Fish store on everything we did. We discussed the proper fish to purchase, the amount that would work in the aquarium, and what decorations to put in. I am now finding out that most of what I was led to believe is not good for the fish that we have. We currently have 2 bala sharks, 2 silver dollars, 4 angelfish, and one plecostamus. The people that we spoke with at the store (and that we purchased our fish from) led us to believe that the 33g would be fine, and never told us just how large some of these fish can get. I am extremely unsure of what size aquarium I should be looking into in order to keep my fish happy and healthy. I REALLY do not want to take any fish back, as I feel like I would be a bad fish mom :sad and I have grown to love my fish. I would be greatly appreciative for any help that you can give with the decision on a new aquarium.

Thanks! :bowing:
Tracey
 
depending on how old the fish are, this set up might be fine for a few months (until the angels and other fish get growing...) so you probably have some time to make your decision on what size tank you need (depending on how big the fish are right now). I would sugest (if at all possible) to one big tank for the angels and and the pleco, maybe adding three cories to it (maybe around 75 to 100 gallons) and hope that your angels pair off and start breeding. I would then sell back the sharks :( unless you can have room for another large tank... Then you can leave the silver dollars in the 33g and have a few other fish in there (maybe some neons). Im pretty shure that this setup might work, but then i have no experience with larger tanks so it would be smart to get some 2nd and 3rd openions!
 
well, for a pleco and 2 bala sharks, id say.... o geez, you really need a 150...

your only choice will be to return them, or shell out a LOT of money....

you may be a better mom if you did return the bala sharks and the pleco, and hopefully the next person to come in to buy them will be able to provide a large enough home for them....

the average LFS isnt going to tell its customers what the fish needs if they can help it, in fact most of them dont have any clue... although if someone really wanted a pleco, the store would stand to make a lot more money helping someone set up a large tank than a smaller 33 gal.... its all wierd....
 
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I feel like a bearer of bad news when I say this but with two Bala's and a pleco in the mix you are looking at something over 100gallons. Bala's hit 14inches, common pleco's get huge as well. with three large fish and a few slightly smaller ones I would be looking at a 150g or a 180g personally. You can get away with something smaller, but if you are going for a good long term home and happy healthy fish bigger would be better wthin reason.
JMHO,
dave
 
I was afraid that I would need a HUGE tank or something. I live in an apartment on the second floor so I am going to have to look at the layout and make some decisions as to what to do. It just makes me sad that I may have to give up some of my fish because I have grown rather fond of them (my husband laughs at me because I have names for all of my fish) and do not want to give up yet. i guess we will see what we can afford and go from there. Thanks for all of the great advice. if you have any suggestions as to who makes the best aquariums, I would love to hear them.

Thanks :troll:
Tracey

ps I needed an excuse to use the troll icon b/c he is too cute
 
Balas and plecos seem to cause the most heart ache since the are so common. Mine was with a kissing gourami that started out 2" and ended up 10! A rectangular 29-30 gallon or a 55 gallon are great sized aquariums. Hexegonal tanks are difficult to clean and filter and lighting can be tough but of all the fish you have, angels are a good choice because they like height and enjoy swimming up. If you do ever trade in your aquarium, I have noticed that hexegonal tanks bring in more money then rectangular on non-specialist sites like www.craigslist.com or ebay.
 
where to buy the best tanks is relitive to what LFS's there are in your area. some places will have good value, some will rip you off... Just do some reasearch and find the cheepest good quality tank that you can, if you like to dyi, then you can even make your own tank for even less $. there are some good articles on how to make your own tank and stand on this website.
good luck :)
 
i bought a 55 gallon kit from persmart. it includes the filter, hood/lights, and heater and it was only $160! i had to buy the gravel and the stand. stand was $100 but it is a nice stand for 100 dollars, and the natural gravel was only $12 for 25 pounds, i got two bags. so i ended up spending roughly $300, but then with my "petsmart card" i got like 20 bucks off! and this tank is the best ive ever had (ive only had 3 lol) but the biggest kits they have like the one im talking about is 55, but i would reccommend it
 
LFSs are only in it for the money....i remember years ago soome chick at an LFS sold me a shubunkin, a veiltail and a fantail and tried to convine me that a 15 LITRE TANK was enough.....****....why do they do that
 
I got my 75 for about 400 with the stand, 2 filters, 2 heaters, sand and plants. They're not as expensive as you would think.... I could have gotten a 200 for less then twice that if I had an empty 7 foot space in my home to put it ;)
 
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