New to owning fish, general questions

[Newtofish4]

Went to the pet store late last week and got a 40 gallon tank. Now they said I have to go home set it up, wait a week, come back with a Sample of water to test the water and then I get the fish. Is this true? No fish are in my tank now. I just set it up.

Another thing is where is the best place in the house to put the tank? Is kitchen ok? Its about 5 feet away from the oven. I guess it depends on the fish, but which fish are less bothered by activity and noise? I personally would rather have it in the bedroom where it's quiet, but I just want to know what is best. We do plan on getting plants and little houses for the fish to hide.

Lastly, which fish are more social, easier and less bothered by people around? Its just my small family at home ( husband and 2 young children.)

Hopefully someone here can let me know how to get started.

 

[Aiken Drum]

First point. Dont listen to the pet store about setting up your fish tank. You need to cycle your tank. Simply letting your tank run for a week wont do anything, your water test will just show no issues because its never had fish in it and they will convince you to put fish into a tank that cant support them. They will then get to sell you medication to treat your sick fish, and if they die get to sell you more fish.

There are 2 main ways to cycle a tank.

Fish in cycle. Basically stock very lightly, control water parameters with regular water changes until your tank can support those fish and then increase your stocking, control your water parameters with regular water changes until your tank can support the increased bioload and then rinse and repeat until you are fully stocked. Plus side of this method is you get fish in right away. Down side is your fish will be living in an uncycled tank which can be detrimental to their health if not done properly.

Fishless cycle. Basically use ammonia as a substitute for fish waste so your cycle can establish before you put in fish. This typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Plus points is that your tank will be safe before you put in fish. Down side is that you will have a fishless tank for several weeks.

Do a bit of research on the nitrogen cycle and decide on how you want to cycle the tank. We can then advise more depending on your choice. Below is a good video on the nitrogen cycle.

https://youtu.be/qMk_SfR0CuU

 

[Aiken Drum]

Point 2. Where to put your fish tank. Away from direct sunlight and not near to a heat source. A kitchen might work, but isnt common. The tank will take up space, that is often at a premium in a kitchen. 40g is a largish tank, so consider if your unit can support the weight if you arent planning on a dedicated cabinet. Personally i would want a tank where i could sit and enjoy it.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Point 3. What type of fish to get. Thats a very big question and will lead to many different answers.

I would go to your local fish store and see what takes your fancy. Fish come in all shapes, sizes and colours. 40g gives you a lot of options. You could do a community tank, with groups of small schooling fish like tetras, danios, and corys. Or a smaller number of larger fish, maybe a couple of goldfish, or some angel fish. Live bearers like guppies and mollies are great fish for newcomers.

I don't see an issue with noise, or them being scared of your family. They will get used to things. But, every fish is different, have their own personalities and one persons experience with a fish species might not be what you find.

 

[Ktownmatt]

+1 on "don't listen to the shop about cycling!"

Aiken has given good advice. But i will add that i wouldn't worry about the activity around the aquarium. At least with human eyes, it appears that they only see a reflection of the tank as long as it's brighter than the room it's in.
I have a 37G in my living room where I can watch it, and a 10Gal on my office desk. I wouldn't put on in my kitchen since the only time I'm in there I'm busy. But we all have our favourite places. A 40Gal tank will way ~400lbs. Keep that in mind when you're deciding what you'll put the aquarium on.

 

[Newtofish4]

I went to a Petco to be specific. there is a fish specialty store nearby. Should I call them and ask what to do?
The pet store gave me a bottle of water conditioner. Thru said fill up the tank with tap water and pour some of the conditioner in there...

 

[Newtofish4]

+1 on "don't listen to the shop about cycling!"

Aiken has given good advice. But i will add that i wouldn't worry about the activity around the aquarium. At least with human eyes, it appears that they only see a reflection of the tank as long as it's brighter than the room it's in.
I have a 37G in my living room where I can watch it, and a 10Gal on my office desk. I wouldn't put on in my kitchen since the only time I'm in there I'm busy. But we all have our favourite places. A 40Gal tank will way ~400lbs. Keep that in mind when you're deciding what you'll put the aquarium on.

Its a small house.. we're around the kitchen area all the time

 

[Aiken Drum]

I went to a Petco to be specific. there is a fish specialty store nearby. Should I call them and ask what to do?
The pet store gave me a bottle of water conditioner. Thru said fill up the tank with tap water and pour some of the conditioner in there...

You will normally get better advice from a speciality fish store, but without knowing your specific store i cant properly comment. They are still there to sell you things though.

Im from UK and we dont have Petco here, but from everything i hear its similar to our Pets at Home chain. They have their place, but giving specialist advice on aquariums isnt it.

This forum is a great resource for advice as everyone is in the hobby and can give you first hand experience.

With regards to the set up and water conditions. The water conditioner will neutralise the chlorine in your tap water, but do nothing for your cycle. A new system needs beneficial bacteria to process fish waste into less harmful products. This process is called the cycle and it takes time to establish and fish waste to fuel it. If you test water sat in a tank for a week it wont show anything as it has never had any fish waste and the store will show you that it is safe. They don't tell you that because your tank isnt cycled, your system cant maintain these safe parameters.

 

[Autumnsky]

Excellent advice above!!! Some articles...

Getting started link in my signature... Explains the nitrification cycle and has lots of good bits of information!

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling/

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/important-information-for-those-new-to-the-aquarium-hobby/

Fish in cycling

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/fishin-cycling-step-dark-side/

Extra information although you don't have fish yet, and if you end up trying a fish-in cycle.

The info above of going to the store and seeing which fish/snails frogs/ shrimp, etc. really hit all the high points in family excitement will give you the start for checking which fish can get along. Live aquaria. com is part of Petco and usually has the same fish, etc. available. They have a quick look box which gives the basics for fish needs temp pH, etc.

Going to the lfs and looking at what their recommendations are. Do not buy yet!!!!!

Look, plan, think, decide. What kind of environment and temerature, and harder or softer water or middle, live plants, all are things which you will want the fish to be happy with all together.

Fish I might not go with right away would be live bearers, give birth to LOTS of babies and can quickly overwhelm and take over the tank (and your life, lol).

A nice start is
Harlequin Rasboras (mid tank upper),
Neon Green Tetras (or the other Neons) (mid tank lower) or
Neon Green Kubotai Microdevario (Upper),
1 male Gourami (all around),
a Bristlenose Pleco and Cories (bottom). Select the last 2's colors based on the color of your substrate. Black sand, Albino - light sand consider darker or light.

Optional - A few male Endlers or Guppies (you do not want to go down the baby fish route I have had probably 1000+ babies this year, it's a nightmare and the females are always pregnant) so males only would be my recommendation.

This gives you fish for the top, middle, bottom, plus all around the tank, and different body shapes, an accent fish and variety of beautiful colors! Planning the tank is my favorite part (and watching them)!



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