Build-An-Aquarium

[stellablu]

I was thinking about this and there really should be a website or computer program that allows you to build your own aquarium set-up on the computer before purchasing.

You would enter the aquarium size and choose a type of set-up (freshwater, brackish, saltwater). Then you choose a fish that interests you. The site would then automatically list fish that are compatiable with that fish. As well as plants, corals, etc. I think a CD-ROM or website like this would greatly cut down on the amount of fish returned or that die.

As you plan your aquarium it would automatically alert you if you overstock with your chosen fish. Blah blah blah.

There are so many questions about stocking, compatability, etc that this would be such a valuable tool. Even pet stores could use it ...actually in most cases our local pet stores and LFS's would GREATLY benefit from a tool like this. There are far too many unknowledgeable pet store employees out there these days.

So anyone in for a business venture? haha j/k I've just been thinking this past week about how cool of an idea it would be.

 

[roliva]

That's a good idea but you would have to put in alot of data for this to work such as water changes, how much food, average weekly nitrate levels, etc.

All of these factors can vary if you are not consistent which makes building a program like this difficult. Also, the bigger the fish, the more waste it will produce.

If the fish is a predator/aggressive, there is no guarantee that you can say it will tolerate other fish no matter what size tank. Even within the same species, some are mild where others seem to have been born with dominance and destruction.

 

[geoffgarcia]

I dunno, that kinda info is so basic....I think it would only help newbies, and only those that are very inquisitive.
The avg hobbyist knows this stuff or just looks it up in 2 seconds, the avg newbie just doesn't care and buys what they like.

 

[OrionGirl]

There are a few progrmas out there to help you track your tank--you enter maintenance and test results, and you can get graphs and such of changes. Also track what's in your tank, and the few I've played with do include compatibility lists--some even include disease DB's and treatment options. Not sure how accurate many of these are, since there really are a lot of variables. For example, dwarf angels are not compatible in a small tank, but may be fine in a large tank. Ditto for some of the FW top minnows. Details like that are hard to include in the standard compatibility tables, and a lot will still rely on the individual fish!