Rules to live by...

[pinballqueen]

Here's an idea....I think everyone ought to give some advice here about good rules of thumb that would apply to anyone who is interested in keeping fish....lengths of time involved in cycling, weights and measures of tanks (so some poor sap doesn't start with a tank in his living room and wind up with a broken tank in his basement...), types of fish that agree/disagree with one another, you know, things we might not think to ask when we're dreaming of our perfect little waterworld...."Trivia", if you will. It might answer questions that no one would've thought to ask otherwise and save time on repeated queries....

Here's my rule of thumb: The average 55 gallon tank with stand weighs out at about 700 lbs or so. About the same as a couch full of big people.

Also, the cycling process is not one that takes place in a day or two. Look for weeks, up to a month or more for those perfect conditions to arise.

Anyone else have a little pearl of wisdom they'd like to share?

 

[Cichlid Woman]

Great idea. Now I've just got to think of one ... there are so many!!

-- Pat

 

[Darkangel]

Here is my simple rules: Your first purchase should be a book and then you should follow the KISS method ( Keep It Simple Stupid).

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Never buy a fish without doing some research on it...know what you are getting yourself into...this is the best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting off in the hobby with very little knowledge of fish....read, read, read....and visit forums like AC

 

[val]

Everything works for someone...

so, you'll get lots of adivce here, most of which is well-meaning, but at first glance seems contradictory. Some here like using carbon, most don't. Some prefer cannister filters, others prefer hang on back power filters. We all have our preferences about what has worked, so we pass along those tips. As a rule of thumb, exercise common sense. If something seems plausible, it probably is.

Val

 

[Arctic_Fishery]

dont listen to me cuz im ignorant!lol....hey im just giving advice.......

 

[pinballqueen]

Ohhhhh, I could be sooooo mean.....

 

[carpguy]

Read the faqs. If you only have time for one read Your First Aquarium, then go back and read the others.

No impulse buys. Do a little research, ask questions. How big are they going to get? ("I'll return them to the store in a year or two" is not the right answer). Are they going to kill everyone else in the tank? You should know these things.

Ask as many questions as you need to. The folks here are friendly, and some of them are incredibly knowledgeable. There are no stupid questions (but there are stupid answers : be skeptical, educate yourself. Don't follow advice blindly, ask until you understand the why behind it).

And leave the computer periodically to go look at your fish.

 

[Serrateeth_2002]

Don't talk to your fish,they may talk back and tell you about your horrible fish keeping,just kidding ,So far,weird or cute fishes are not for beginners.They tend to be hard to care for,grow too large,not compatible,good examples are goldfishes,young redtails,puffers.

 

[stargurl]

When setting up an aquarium for the first time, go to a pet store and observe the fish. Write down the names of those you like, then go home/to the library/on the internet and research them.

Research first, purchase later.