Planning for a Future Aquarium...ideas?

O

Opicana

AC Members
May 13, 2006
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Toledo, Ohio
Hi!

When my mom asked me to put together her 2.5g tank for her living room I had only minimal experience in aquariums, and was only minorly interested. After the initial setup and research, I am hooked! I don't even have critters in the tank yet, just plants and I love it. I love the plants...I have found a new hobby. :)

Unfortunately, there is no hope of setting a tank up for myself at the moment. I am moving in a little over a month, and have no desire to have to breakdown an aquarium that soon. I am moving to Toledo with my boyfriend, and we are in the process of purchasing a house. Once we are all moved in, and have a budget figured out...he agrees we should get a tank for the living room. I am figuring I'll start the new tank in late September.

However, I intend to do a lot of research and begin planning this tank now. Research will keep me sane until then. I want to plan this out and do it right, as it is my first real tank.

So, now I am looking for ideas on where to start. As of now, I am completely open to ideas, and have no specifics planned.

Here is what I can tell you...

1) Freshwater - I prefer freshwater anyway, and I know I am not ready for saltwater

2) 20 to 30g? - I think this will be the ideal size to start with, but I am open to adjustments.

3) Planted - I adore the plant aspect, gotta have 'em.

4) Schools - I would love to have a group of schooling fish, and I would be more interest in having small fish that school over large fish.

5) Tropical or Not - I have no problems having a heater, but I don't have a preferences a to whether my fish are tropical or not.

6) Interesting/Engaging - I would like interesting critters, who are fun to watch. They can hide all they want, I don't mind- it will be a surprise when they appear. I want something on every level of the tank, especially bottom dwellers.

7) Natural aesthetic setting - Of course, I want it to be "pretty", but I am the type of person who enjoys gardens that are more green than colorful. I think trees and shrubs are often prettier than small colored flowers. Color doesn't equal beauty to me, I just want some pretty neat critters. And the decor would be the plants and the driftwood...not flashy treasure boxes for me.

So, go wild, what are some complete tank ideas? lol...
~Opicana~
 
Peacock eel!

I wouldn't go with anything less than a 30 G by the way for a first tank, I am still starting out too and I have a 35 and 10 and the 35 is definitely the better tank, and you have more options.

My favorite fish that I think is great for a 30G tank is the Peacock eel. You have to use sand or fine gravel in the bottom of the tank as they like to bury themselves in the substrate. They are a lot of fun in that they hide most of the time and you sometimes just see their nose or tail sticking out, but they are beautiful once they do come out. As far as anything else, I love tiger barbs, a school of 8-10 in a 30 G should be good. The catch with tiger barbs is they have a tendancy to nip fins of other fish so you have to be very carful of thier tank mates. Just my 2 cents :hi:
 
I don't think you're getting many replies because there's simply too many options out there, and your parameters are too broad.

It can take A LOT of work to create a complete design from hardscape to plants to fish to lighting and substrate choices. And most people here with experience aren't going to make off-the-cuff suggestions because they wouldn't want to suggest something unless they were sure it was a good plan.
 
Wishful said:
I don't think you're getting many replies because there's simply too many options out there, and your parameters are too broad.

It can take A LOT of work to create a complete design from hardscape to plants to fish to lighting and substrate choices. And most people here with experience aren't going to make off-the-cuff suggestions because they wouldn't want to suggest something unless they were sure it was a good plan.
Click to expand...

Hmm...thanks! So where should I start? How do you start coming up with a plan? I am looking for a theme...a community tank and a natural setting...should I just find one fish I like and go from there?
 
There are lots of places to start. If you don't already have a particular plant or fish or biome or hardscape idea in mind, start looking at tanks for themes. Then start postulating "what ifs".

What if I picked just native asian fish and plants?
What if I used all different types of just white fish?
What if I did big round river rocks on a sand bottom with reed like plants?
What fish live in or would look natural in that type of environment?
What if I used a school of smaller fish as my focus? What other fish could
I add to round out the tank that wouldn't pull the focus away from them?

And a couple I've been kicking around mentally:
What if I chose and pruned my plants to create a rainforest like affect
with ground plants and rocks, a clear understory, then a heavy canopy
of green stuff? Can I build on the illusion with fish that will mimic the
color and behavior of parrots in the amazon jungle? Would a pleco
remind me of a jungle cat? Would a graduated green to blue background
help the illusion?
If I choose alot of bright red plants--can I find fish that will complement
them? Would something like green barbs with their dull coloring actually
look better than bright fish against a vibrant planted background?
 
Thanks! That is the kind of stuff I was looking for...I definately want a theme, I just don't know what is feasible... I like the idea of doing something with color...hmmm...
 
dont buy the tank from a lfs. check out the for sale items around you. you can get really good deals if you look. it seems a lot of people get 20-30 gal and within a couple months want bigger tanks. i would say go for a 50 gal and keep it understock until you get the hang of it. once you get the hang of it and figure out what you want it will give you room to grow. i had a 20 gal for some time but got sick of it since it was so small. i skipped the 50-75 gal tanks and went right to 100 gal.
 
My only suggestion is to get the largest size of tank you can afford and have room for. If you don't you will wish you did later.
 
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