i am new

[Rockin_Sunset]

hi,
i am the newest member. i really want to start a freshwater tank but i am not sure how and what i need to get started. is there anyone that can help me? i would greatly apreciate it. thank you.

 

[fishlvr]

Welcome! My best advice is to just start reading. There is so much information here... you could be busy for hours. Unless you have a specific question you'd like to ask, I would just grab a glass of your preferred beverage and start reading .

 

[RobUK]

Welcome to the forums.
Thats pretty much what I did, also if you find a word/phrase you dont understand goolge it as there are millions of great sites (but this one rocks) about aquatics.

The only little peice of advice I would give is read up on "fishless cycling" as thats the way to start off (theres a sticky in this forum)

Whatever you do dont be tempted to get bored and just fill your tank with water and fish (not a good idea )

If you dont mind me asking what size tank have you got and have you got any ideas on what you would like to ultimatly keep?

 

[TonyN]

I didn't understand "Goolge"

 

[vato]

There are quite a few good aquarium books out there that will help you with everything that you need to start out. I always recommend buying at least one good aquarium book. It helps you with all the basics, and also gives you a referance that you can turn to when something has you stumped. They are also helpful if someone turns to you for answers. Here are a few good books, everyone feel free to add to this list:

A Practical Guide to Tropical Aquarium Fish, By: Richard Crow & Dave Keeley-this was my first aquarium book, and it's a very informative book with beautiful pictures
Exotic Aquarium Fishes, by: Dr. William t. Innes- an older book, but they keep making new editions and prinitng it, so it must be good!
Barrons has a wealth of amazing books, I don't know the names, but pick the one that suits you best. these books are very informative and VERY CHEAP, so they are a great option. That's really all I can think of right now, but I know there are more

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

thankz

thank you guys for helping me out. i think i will just read for a while. also i have another question, is it better for me to start off with a small tank thenget bigger as i learn more? and i want nonaggresive fish, i am a very peaceful person.

 

[vato]

Well the bigger the tank gets the more time it takes to take care of. But on the other hand with a small tank, it is very easy to change the water perameters, therefore making it a little more difficult. I'd say start with a smaller tank, say 10-20 gallons to start off with. There are many advanced aquarists that are satisfied with a smaller tank, it all depends on what your purposes are for the tank, community? planted? etc. If you fins that you'd like to get a bigger tank up the road, then do it, but it is probably best to start out with a smaller tank, that way if are not going to stick with the hobby, your investment isn't too great. I'd say a 10-15 gallon being the best for a begginner, but a 20 does open a lot more options to you and is not much more expensive. If you are looking for non-aggressive fish here is a list of a few:
Neon Tetra
Glowlight tetra
Bleeding heart Tetra
zebra, leopard & pearl danio
Halequin Rasbora
cory cats (corydoras sp. there are MANY kinds)
guppies
mollies
platies
angelfish
dwarf gourami

These are all fish that can be very easy to keep for a (knowledgable) begginner. Tetras are usually very attractive and do well together as a general rule. Stay away from cichlids(exeption being the angel) and barbs no matter how attractive they are! These are either generally aggressive to other fish or are not suited to a begginner. Hope this list helps

 

[TonyN]

Well, the rule of thumb around here seems to be "As big as you can afford and fit it the house" I agree. if I had it to do over again I would have bought a bigger tank.

 

[RobUK]

At the end of the day the bigger the tank the more expensive it gets.

You can always start with a smallish tank and if you enjoy the hobby sell it and upgrade (or keep it as a handy spare back-up tank)
Other hand if you find that aquatics isnt for you, you have invested/lost a great idea of money

And yeah and google sorry

 

[Lazersniper]

I'd say start with a 30 gal tank. If you do anything smaller you'll be pretty limited. Equipment for a 30 gal isn't usually all that much more then equipment for a 10 or 20 gallon.

Once you start into the fish keeping you'll find you want this fish or that fish and this many of that one. I think with a 10 or 20 your pretty limited. At least thats how I feel/felt. Usually with smaller fish you have to have a school of them in order to make them feel comfterble anyway.

I personally wished I had started with a bigger tank. I have a bunch of little tanks with fish I can't really mix together which sucks because even if I had a bigger tank I'd only be able to get rid of one tank. I keep wanting to get more fish but the little tanks are pretty much at their max.