Starter fish

[meow200617]

you could start with a few hardier fish such as guppies be sure to get one sex, males are generally preferred as they are much more colourful, mollies are good but like guppies breed really easily, weather loaches, tetras and rainbow sharks are easy to keep, but the shark can be territorial with same or similar spices so best just to get one.

Their are loads or fish that are ideal for first setups, I would suggest the harder ones as they tend to have a higher survival rate for some less experienced or first time owners.


when setting up the tank it needs to run (without fish) for about a week when you can buy some hard fish and put them into the tank, just a few to start of with, this allows the filter to mature and raises the bacteria levels, these will keep the tank safe for the fish by breaking down harmful ammonia and nitrite into nitrate, this is remove during water changes every 2 weeks or so. After about another week you can add more fish and so one.

good luck

 

[fcnubian]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[b.greene]

you could start with a few hardier fish such as guppies be sure to get one sex, males are generally preferred as they are much more colourful, mollies are good but like guppies breed really easily, weather loaches, tetras and rainbow sharks are easy to keep, but the shark can be territorial with same or similar spices so best just to get one.

Their are loads or fish that are ideal for first setups, I would suggest the harder ones as they tend to have a higher survival rate for some less experienced or first time owners.


when setting up the tank it needs to run (without fish) for about a week when you can buy some hard fish and put them into the tank, just a few to start of with, this allows the filter to mature and raises the bacteria levels, these will keep the tank safe for the fish by breaking down harmful ammonia and nitrite into nitrate, this is remove during water changes every 2 weeks or so. After about another week you can add more fish and so one.

good luck

Actually, just setting up the tank and leaving it running will do nothing for beneficial bacterial growth. You need to either add amonia each day or, if you are anxious to add fish right away, use gravel or filter media from an established tank. The beneficial bacteria on these will help your tank to cycle faster. When I set up my 55 gallon I used the filter from my 10g, along with the new filter. I also moved all the plants/decorations from the old tank. (You want to make sure to move them right from one set up tank to the new one. Make sure they don't dry out because this will kill the beneficial bacteria). I cut off the feet of panyhose and filled them with gravel from the existing tank and tied the top in a knot. I let them lay on the bottom of the new tank for a month or so. I added fish right away and never lost a single fish. Make sure you test the water perameters frequently. I know this has been said before, but please read the sticky on fish cycling.
Good luck!