New member looking for tips - Aquarium Advice

Chevy_Cowboy · 05-12-2004, 09:05 PM

Hi guys, I saw a link to this forum posted on another board (Cz28.com) and have spent the day reading all the great information here, and its given me a urge to get back into aquariums.

First some background, I've had a 10gal aquarium for close to 20 years, and made so many mistakes over the years its not even close to funny. As you can imagine I've killed more fish in it than I care to admit

, and finally gave up and stuffed the tank and accessories in the closet. hopefully with this site's help I can avoid future mistakes.

I'd like to start small and perhaps progress into bigger and more expensive setups if all goes well. For now I want to stick with FW and probably fake plants (although planted tanks sound like something I'd like to try in the future)

I've got a few options for tanks. I still have my old 10gal that still holds water as far as I know. It has had pretty much every fish disease possible in it at one time or another, along with bleach once when my brother decided to clean it for me (after the fish died)

My brother also has a 55 gal tank that I think he would probably sell to me, his history with fish isn't much better than mine. His last attempt in this tank was a Saltwater setup that cost him a small fortune.

The last option would be buying a new 20-29 gallon tank. I'm not on a unlimited budget so buying a real big new tank isn't an option, and I'd like to avoid spending a fortune on this until I'm more confident.

I could possibly use a combination of these tanks too.

My main concern with the older used tanks is getting them clean. As I said one has been a SW tank and the other is full of no telling what kinds of diseases.... is there a good way to sterilize these tanks so I don't pass past mistakes onto new fish?

Any tips at all you guys can give me concerning initial tank setup and choosing accessories and fish would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot for your help

QTOFFER · 05-12-2004, 10:01 PM

Welcome to AA, Chevy_Cowboy!

If you haven't tried keeping fish for a few years, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how far the hobby has advanced in terms of technology - especially in regards to filtration.

If you're thinking about giving it another go, then I would get the biggest tank you can afford/have space for. Simply put, it's alot easier maintaining a big tank than a small tank because the extra volume of water gives you more room for mistakes. Also, the bigger the tank, the more options you have for stocking it. You could do alot with a 29 gal - even more with a 55. I would keep the 10 gal as a quarrantine/hospital tank for newly purchased/sick fish.

I strongly recommend "The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums" by David E. Boruchowitz ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...79338?v=glance ) It's a good basic overview of modern fishkeeping - including the cycling process. I would also poke around this forum and ask questions - that's what I did for a month before I bought my first tank.

As far as cleaning, a 15 minute soak in household bleach (1:10 in water) will kill any diseases that may be present. White vinegar can be used to remove water stains and mineral buildup. Just remember to rinse the tank many, many times after you do this. I would do this outside in case the tank leaks. You may also want to test the tank by filling it and watching for leaks (again, preferably outside).

You'll have to get a filter (most people here use cannister or hang-on-back filters) rated for your size tank, a glass top, and lighting. Some of these you or your brother may already have. I would check out the lfs, but keep in mind that ordering online is usually alot less expensive. Good luck!

Chevy_Cowboy · 05-13-2004, 04:48 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome and tips QTOFFER.

I'll head to the bookstore tomorrow to see if they have that book.

Well I talked to my brother and he doesnt seem as willing to part with his 55gal as I'd hoped, so I'll probably go with a new 29gal and use my 10gal as a QT.
Tonight I swung by walmart to see what they had in the way of fish supplies. I know wally world isnt the place to get most stuff, by my small town doesnt have a lfs. This weekend I'll trek to a bigger town to see what the pet stores there have.

I was looking at Walmart's Aquarium kits, they're made by Aqua Culture. The 29gal is less than 100 bucks and comes a full hood, a hob powerfilter and a heater... are these worth while or complete junk? I've heard alot of good stuff about marineland's filters and heaters... would I be better off buying an aquarium by its self and the buy the accessories seperately or would these starter kits be ok for a newbie like myself? I don't want to spend a fortune, but I dont want complete junk either.

BrianNY · 05-13-2004, 06:18 AM

Hi Chevy Cowboy. I think your success is assured by the nature of your questions and your desire to learn.

. QTOFFERs given you some good advice.

IMO it always pays to have the best possible heaters and filters. My suggestion (since you're on a budget), would a 150W Ebo Jager heater, and the Penguin 330 HOB filter for a 29g. You're also going to need some test kits. Bigalsonline is usually half the price most retail places for all these items.

deli_conker · 05-13-2004, 08:29 AM

Definitely good advice from both qtoffer and brianny. Might I also suggest that you check out the articles section on this website. The only link I've seen to them is on the home page. The two must reads, IMHO, are the ones concerning the nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling.

Since you are starting a tank from scratch I heartily recommend doing a fishless cycle. You'll save a lot of frustration and probably money in the end.

tmurphy171 · 05-13-2004, 09:08 AM

Hello and Welcome. If you have a PetSmart in your area you can get a 29g tank with hood and light for $69.00. Don't know about PetCo but it might be worth a try. definitely (as BrianNY said) buy your filter, heater, testkit and startup chems (water treatment for the inital tank fill, chlorine and chloramine remover for water changes) from an online discounter like Big Al's The filter alone will be half of what you'd pay at a lfs or national chain. I have a Penquin 330 and would recommend it or the Emporor 400 both made by Marineland. The Emporor imho is a better filter and only a few dollars more.

Good luck

jaysono · 05-13-2004, 10:56 AM

You may even want to check eBay on accessories. Seems to have some great deal on slightly used or even new equipment.

Welcome!

Menagerie · 05-13-2004, 12:13 PM

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Welcome to Aquarium Advice, Chevy_Cowboy!!

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Definitely check out eBay for tank accessories. I have saved a ton of money on there! Plus, ask questions as they come up.
The best advice I will give you now is to research in advance (which, you have a great start on

).

Chevy_Cowboy · 05-13-2004, 06:52 PM

Wow lots of good advice

I've been browsing around some online retailers (mostly Big Al's) and looking at stuff. I really like the looks of the Penguin 330, and the Emporor 400, but they're rated for much bigger tanks than the 29gal I plan to get... is that a problem or is it a good idea to get bigger than I need?

tmurphy171, thanks for the tip about Petsmart... I'm pretty sure theres one about 30 miles down the road, thats where I plan to go this weekend.

I've been reading the articles here as I get time to, and I was wondering... will the fishless cycle method listed under saltwater (using the raw shrimp) work for freshwater tanks or is there another route for FW?

Thanks again for all the help guys, I wish I would have had folks like you around when I was 7 with my first aquarium!

QTOFFER · 05-13-2004, 07:59 PM

The filter manufacturers tend to be a bit generous when touting their products' capabilities. In the end, you want your filter to pump about 8 - 10 tank volumes per hour. If you're planning to get messy fish like goldies, you may want even more filtration. You really can't overfilter a tank, but obviously, you don't want so much current that the fish are battered about.

You could use the raw shrimp or even fish food as a source of ammonia. Although I didn't do a fishless cycle myself (I used Biospira cuz I'm lazy and impatient

), I think using household ammonia would give you more control over the process. This link pretty much says it all...
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html
Just check the label and be sure to use ammonia that contains no perfumes or detergents.