Please help me. Any advice is welcome.

[Zbbal]

Welcome. Glad you're getting everything straightened out!

Once you're at the point you're going to buy new fish, make sure you know how many they need in a group, as well as how big they get. I would say your best bet to to search for 10 gallon stocking threads on here, to get an idea, then start a new thread if you have questions.

And I'm sorry the big box store near you seems to not be helpful. for the record, they're NOT all like that. The one near me has great employees, and healthy fish. I've bought fish and inverts from them with no problem.

Yeah, some of the employees at the retail store are nice. I usually don't have what I need when I come in and meet a nice employee, so I go home and come back a few days later only to have some really jerky employee be the one working that day.

I'm going to start a thread later today.

 

[Zbbal]

I think you're on the right track now. Just remember that most of us have all had our first tank. Our massive Ich ourbreaks, our common pleco in a 10G (thank god yours is a cory ;-) and not even knowing a nitrogen cycle exists. You'll get through this with the good adivce you've recieved here, and you're local mom-and-pop-shop. Although I have to point out, even the advice you get from a M&P shop, I would run by here. This is the BEST resource for info, and I've gotten 'off' advice from M&P shops as well.

hang in there, remember water changes are your (and your fishes) friend, and once everything gets stable it's allllllll worth it...you'll see ;-)

Yeah, I plan to run any information I get by everyone here.

Thanks for your encouragement.

 

[Zbbal]

Wow, I missed this thread till now, but I just read thru it. So glad you found AC!!!! What a great tank and patootie is cute!!!! I'm glad yor initial troubles did not set you back, we all have speed bumps in this hobby, you seem very determined and that will pay off!!! Look forward to gettin to know you and see yor future progress!

Thank you!

 

[SMinNC]

:welcome:

Thank you for wishing me luck!
I'm going to check all the local shoppes and see which I like best. Then I'll stick with the one I like. They're all within 40 minutes of my house, so once I get on that side of town, it shouldn't be a problem.

Here are a couple of online stores you can check out, for buying some of your... stuff.

I use this one the most...

Drs Foster and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fish-supplies/pr/c/3578

-

Big Al's
http://www.bigalsonline.com/

 

[Zaffy]

Welcome to AC, Your tank looks really nice so far. keep us updated.

 

[excuzzzeme]

You mentioned that the original reason for getting fish was to help with anxiety. I use them to help with seizures. It does help but not until you have it fully cycled and stable. The learning curve can be intimidating.

As Lupin so wisely pointed out, do not rely on chemicals unless it is an absolute must. Many people on here use chemicals and are forever chasing a problem. By staying away from them, you will have less items to figure out went wrong. The only additive should be a dechlorinator. Salt, when used in a responsible fashion, can help with many problems but is not a cure-all.

Slow down on and take your time with this.Your fish will thank you and you will thank yourself. By going slower it makes the whole experience easier and more enjoyable.

BTW - Welcome to AC

 

[jlink17]

Welcome to AC! I have anxiety and sitting in front of my aquariums and watching the fish is really calming. You will love it and probably end up with lots more aquariums before you know it. I started with a 10 and now I have 2 10s, a 20, a 40 and a 55. LOL

Not sure if you have it or not but you may want to get a good heater for your aquarium if you are going to have tropicals and the tank water risks dropping below 72.

 

[GEV83]

Hey Zbbal alot of good advice given here. I have had fish since I was bout 3yrs old im now 25 and still learning alot from others here granted I didnt know much bout keeping fish as I thought I did when I joined this site. I have hit several speed bumps on the way. Hopefully you wont hit as many as I have. I am doing pretty good now I own a 55gal and 2 20gal.

Aquariums are good for anxiety and as excuzzzeme stated also good for seizures when there established tanks. For me they help me with my anger issues. I tend to be overly aggressive mostly verbally but having my fish calm me down. Just stick with it and youll see it will pay off. Oh and Welcome to AquariaCentral.

 

[mel_20_20]

Thank you very much. And I plan on staying right here so I can get help with any questions I might have. Maybe one day I'll be helping someone who's new to having an aquarium.

You will! I was where you are just a year ago. These folks here on AC have trained me to be a good *********** and I love helping others, just as everyone helped me.

I'm still learning, though, and I hope to be a real pro one day. You'll get there, too. Keep posting here, and read through threads on different topics. Learn from yours and others mistakes, and listen to the advice of these guys.

Your tank looks really nice, and Patootie is really a cutie!

 

[Zbbal]

You mentioned that the original reason for getting fish was to help with anxiety. I use them to help with seizures. It does help but not until you have it fully cycled and stable. The learning curve can be intimidating.

As Lupin so wisely pointed out, do not rely on chemicals unless it is an absolute must. Many people on here use chemicals and are forever chasing a problem. By staying away from them, you will have less items to figure out went wrong. The only additive should be a dechlorinator. Salt, when used in a responsible fashion, can help with many problems but is not a cure-all.

Slow down on and take your time with this.Your fish will thank you and you will thank yourself. By going slower it makes the whole experience easier and more enjoyable.

BTW - Welcome to AC

Yeah, cycling is rather intimidating.

I've thrown out all the unnecessary chemicals.

Indeed, I'm learning that. Slower is better.