Tank Setups for Newbies

[FishFreak101]

Hi everyone, I thought we needed a thread that would help new people choose a tank setup. So for all the newbies out there here is an easy, fast, and low priced tank setup!
First of all your going to need a filter, any filter just make sure it works. Another important thing is the heater again make sure it works. Next you need gravel about a pound a gallon (<<I'm going to need an opion on this one)Next is decorations, 10 gallon about 2 small ones or one big one(In my opion of course!). Place those at the sides I think. Then plants live or fake will do well I prefer fake than live(Can't keep em' alive!) This is an option a flower pot, these are for breeders or if you have say a crayfish so that he can hide! and last but not least!!! FISH! Any kind will do just make sure that they can go alone with each other.
And there you go a perfect setup.... In my opion any ways!

 

[you made me ink]

Hi everyone, I thought we needed a thread that would help new people choose a tank setup. So for all the newbies out there here is an easy, fast, and low priced tank setup!
First of all your going to need a filter, any filter just make sure it works. Another important thing is the heater again make sure it works. Next you need gravel about a pound a gallon (<<I'm going to need an opion on this one)Next is decorations, 10 gallon about 2 small ones or one big one(In my opion of course!). Place those at the sides I think. Then plants live or fake will do well I prefer fake than live(Can't keep em' alive!) This is an option a flower pot, these are for breeders or if you have say a crayfish so that he can hide! and last but not least!!! FISH! Any kind will do just make sure that they can go alone with each other.
And there you go a perfect setup.... In my opion any ways!

good points but when selecting fish also make sure they wont outgrow the tank i.e. almost every cichlid except rams, no Pacus!!! wal-mart says they get to 10 in. worng try 3 feet, and also do research on the fish too before you buy it also please dont over stock this can lead to the ultimate dimize ((SP?)) of your fishy friends waterchanges are important too

 

[FishFreak101]

^^
Good point!

 

[FishFreak101]

Lets try and get this a sticky for all the new people that want to set up a tank.... ok?

 

[ljse]

Speaking of selling big fish to unsusoecting customers, I was at pet supplies plus , and I always stop by to looka t the fish and I noticed that they were selling young pacus and oscars (about 1inch) for $3 and there was no label with a warning about how big they get. I bet plenty of unsuspecting people buy them.

 

[themadblimper]

A good beginner aquarium available to the newcomer is an eclipse 12 system. All of the filtration is in the hood, and all you need to do is add gravel, fish, and plants if desired.

Or if they wish the more expensive, but more rewarding road, they could buy a 20 gallon long/29 gallon aquarium with a stand. Research would be necessary to find the most convenient filtration+lighting system for them, because it doesn't come with the tank (most of the time.)

I would suggest that the beginner also get the parameters of their tap water, so that they could best choose their fish according to their pH and hardness values. Researching the fish you want to buy is a MUST (This cannot be emphasized enough!) because buying a fish that may grow eventually to 3 feet isn't an ideal specimen for anything less than a tank that is 300 gallons, far outside the budget of most people.

Proper research is, again, a must. Most beginners dont know of the nitrogen cycle, and mistakenly add all of their fish at once, with heavy losses. This often leads to those individuals turning away from the hobby out of frustration or disappointment. Plan ahead for everything. Dont mix fish that aren't compatable with one another (african cichlids with discus for example.) As long as you are willing to take the time to learn, you will be sucessful.

If you aren't willing to learn, then this hobby isn't for you.

 

[you made me ink]

Good points Blimper.
This hobby isn't hard at all really unless you go for some of the challengeing fish (saltwater esp.) all thats required is a little common sense, (2ft. fish CAN'T turn around in a 1ft. wide tank) time, (to research proporly) and of course a little money (what dosn't cost money though) and a few knowledgable friends ***coughA.C.cough*** dosn't hurt either