Buying tanks then asking what to put in it I don't understand??

[Rivers2k]

I don't get this help me understand. Personally I see a fish I want research it and then get the required housing. But I am seeing at least 2 or 3 threads a day I bought this tank (usually 10 or 20 gallon) help me stock it? That confuses me. Its like buying a bird cage and asking what type of bird to put in it. Its not the cage that intrigues me its the specimen being housed in it. I don't get it.

 

[theaquagod]

Haha, well i guess im guilty of this, i bought my tank because it was cheap, and then i started to house it. Its a budget thing.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Rivers2k]

Haha, well i guess im guilty of this, i bought my tank because it was cheap, and then i started to house it. Its a budget thing.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Do you have multiple tanks and got a good deal so you knew you would need one more tank or is this a first tank for you?

 

[theaquagod]

Do you have multiple tanks and got a good deal so you knew you would need one more tank or is this a first tank for you?

It was my first tank, im was quite happy with the options of fish

Sent from my LG-D800 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Themonsterisme]

I think everyone has to start somewhere...the questions being asked on here are being asked to peers that have had much more experience than OP of the questions obviously has...while most of us do our homework first some people get into the hobby either as a novice who will eventually get bored and get out of the hobby or end up like me totally addicted and ending up with multiple tanks ...these questions get asked over and over again because of new members joining up...some people don't mind and answer happily and some get annoyed and don't answer..the choice to answer or not is entirely up to person reading the post...I'm pretty sure we were all a noob at one point lol

 

[Rivers2k]

It was my first tank, im was quite happy with the options of fish

Sent from my LG-D800 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

ok so it was like you wanted a tank but weren't sure how to go about it. That makes sense.

I should have said that makes sense to me. I understand. not meaning that makes sens in a sarcastic way.

 

[Rivers2k]

I think everyone has to start somewhere...the questions being asked on here are being asked to peers that have had much more experience than OP of the questions obviously has...while most of us do our homework first some people get into the hobby either as a novice who will eventually get bored and get out of the hobby or end up like me totally addicted and ending up with multiple tanks ...these questions get asked over and over again because of new members joining up...some people don't mind and answer happily and some get annoyed and don't answer..the choice to answer or not is entirely up to person reading the post...I'm pretty sure we were all a noob at one point lol

I am not annoyed I just didnt really get it. I started out the same way. When I was 9 I wanted a fish tank and harassed the LFS guy for information until the point he told me to go home LOL.

I just didn't know if it was noobs getting their first tank or if it was the guy that has 20 tanks and has to have 1 more but doesn't know what he wants.

 

[Old Scales]

What I think we need to do is to guide new fish tank owners to websites and articles that will help them do their own research. Only they know what types and colors and shapes of fish that appeals to them. As you know, if we tried to explain every aspect of fish and fish keeping we would all be writing books at every post. I think it's a good thing to point out the major groups of fish such as tetras, barbs, danios, catfish, and cichlids, etc. and then list a few links to some websites they can check out to research. Then if they have more specific questions about a species or fishkeeping procedure, we would be glad to help them with it. As the old saying goes, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish and eats for a lifetime".
Thank you all for helping newcomers and being patient with them. We were all there once ourselves. OS.

 

[tnfinfan]

Some folks just like aquariums! They see one somewhere and are intrigued by the fish swimming around so they get a kit and then ask what will do well in it. I see nothing whatsoever wrong with that. In fact, I'm glad they ask rather than putting whatever looks pretty in there and learning the hard way that they chose incompatible fish or crammed way too much in the space.

 

[Karatepig]

I think anyone that visits here does do research. I spent at least two months researching different types of fish before I even posted for my 55g, and now I'm not even sure that I want to do what others guided me to; I think these threads are due to the sheer number of options. I think all fish are amazing and beautiful, and sometimes you just don't know what you want to do, so you just go to others who have experience.

 

[Rivers2k]

I think some may have taken my question the wrong way so I want to emphasize I am glad people ask the question and I am not bothered by helping. I am actually happy to help. I am just curious by nature and my mind works differently. I just want to know what people are thinking when they go about purchasing a tank when they have no idea what they want to put in it. Why they go about it in the order they do. It is a question of curiosity (reference post #6).

 

[Karatepig]

It's all about the love of fish! You never know or get exactly what you want when you set up a tank.

 

[apr28]

I think these forums should be part of the research.

It's not just a place where fish scientists pat each other on the back for knowing everything.

 

[DragonFish71]

Personally I'm a see something I like, research what I can do to help it thrive, see if I have the space for the set up, start planning the set up once I'm sure I can give it the proper care, then and only then will I start a build.

 

[robbyno22]

I wanted an aquarium for my daughter. We hot her a betta and a snail that she loved, then we saw African dwarf frogs, and saw it spiraling out of control. She got her aquarium from her grandparents for Xmas. I went to Petco (they also got her a gift certificate for there), and asked all sorts of questions before we bought more fish. Turns out I got wrong info! I have been asking on here for ideas because I have no idea about fish at all! I've been taking the suggestions and doing my own research to find what works in my tank. And, I'm so glad I asked because someone told me to look into endlers, and I love them! I never would have heard of them if I hadn't asked

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[DragonFish71]

I wanted an aquarium for my daughter. We hot her a betta and a snail that she loved, then we saw African dwarf frogs, and saw it spiraling out of control. She got her aquarium from her grandparents for Xmas. I went to Petco (they also got her a gift certificate for there), and asked all sorts of questions before we bought more fish. Turns out I got wrong info! I have been asking on here for ideas because I have no idea about fish at all! I've been taking the suggestions and doing my own research to find what works in my tank. And, I'm so glad I asked because someone told me to look into endlers, and I love them! I never would have heard of them if I hadn't asked

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Not to derail the thread, but now that you know better, use your phone to research when you're in the pet stores They just want to make a sale and don't give the best advice most times.

 

[plecostomuch]

I personally think that rivers2k's way is the perfect way. Thanks for the post! Also I can't fathom as to why you were told to go home. Where's the customer service? I'm sure you just had your opinions back then just as you do now. And nothing is wrong with that.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Rivers2k]

I personally think that rivers2k's way is the perfect way. Thanks for the post! Also I can't fathom as to why you were told to go home. Where's the customer service? I'm sure you just had your opinions back then just as you do now. And nothing is wrong with that.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

HAHAHA well I was a 9 year old kid and the shop owner was a grumpy old guy. I kept showing up with books do you have this or do you have that can this go with that. what about this and that. I probably annoyed the crap out of him LOL.

Now that I think of it is probably why he sold me 6 mbuna for a 10 gallon this was loong before the internet.

 

[Rivers2k]

I think these forums should be part of the research.

It's not just a place where fish scientists pat each other on the back for knowing everything.

I agree.

 

[Rivers2k]

I wanted an aquarium for my daughter. We hot her a betta and a snail that she loved, then we saw African dwarf frogs, and saw it spiraling out of control. She got her aquarium from her grandparents for Xmas. I went to Petco (they also got her a gift certificate for there), and asked all sorts of questions before we bought more fish. Turns out I got wrong info! I have been asking on here for ideas because I have no idea about fish at all! I've been taking the suggestions and doing my own research to find what works in my tank. And, I'm so glad I asked because someone told me to look into endlers, and I love them! I never would have heard of them if I hadn't asked

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Aquarium Advice mobile app

So what I am gathering from your post and some of the other posts is it is usually people getting their first tank and like the idea of having fish but don't know much about the fish. This is good to know it helps me help others and understand a little more.