Randyneppl
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2013
- Messages
- 9
I wish I looked here before buying my fish!
Anyway, here is my current situation..... I took care of a teenager's goldfish and betta and as a "thank you" for something, I fixed up her fish aquariums (bought her betta a bigger tank and bought rocks, etc. which her fish didn't have). After fixing up her tanks, I was motivated and thought it would be fun to get a few goldfish (which I remembered to be hardy - ?) Anyway, on a whim at the store (8 days ago), I bought a 10-gallon tank AND fish. The person at the store said that would be fine since goldfish were hardy. She also sold me a golden dojo loach with the fish (they were in the same aquarium and looked cool.) I knew nothing about them and just trusted her. I then researched and learned that the loach may get 10 inches long, should live in an aquarium that is AT LEAST 29 gallons, and should have at least 2 dojo loach friends. Yikes! So, I promptly went on Craig's List and (long story) came home with a 29-gallon and 55-gallon tank. Today I set up the 29 gallon tank thinking that would be easier for starting out. My plan is to transfer the 3 fancy goldfish and loach to the new tank soon. I now know (from this site) that I should have cycled the first aquarium for 1-3 months before buying fish, but.... I'm already too late for that.
So, my first question, is how long should I wait to transfer fish?
Once the aquarium is established, I plan to add 2 more loaches. So, my second question is should I start with the 29 gallon and then move to the 55 gallon when needed? My rationale for this was that the 29G would be much easier. But I just read that larger aquariums may in fact be easier to maintain. If so, should I just start with the 55G??
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Anyway, here is my current situation..... I took care of a teenager's goldfish and betta and as a "thank you" for something, I fixed up her fish aquariums (bought her betta a bigger tank and bought rocks, etc. which her fish didn't have). After fixing up her tanks, I was motivated and thought it would be fun to get a few goldfish (which I remembered to be hardy - ?) Anyway, on a whim at the store (8 days ago), I bought a 10-gallon tank AND fish. The person at the store said that would be fine since goldfish were hardy. She also sold me a golden dojo loach with the fish (they were in the same aquarium and looked cool.) I knew nothing about them and just trusted her. I then researched and learned that the loach may get 10 inches long, should live in an aquarium that is AT LEAST 29 gallons, and should have at least 2 dojo loach friends. Yikes! So, I promptly went on Craig's List and (long story) came home with a 29-gallon and 55-gallon tank. Today I set up the 29 gallon tank thinking that would be easier for starting out. My plan is to transfer the 3 fancy goldfish and loach to the new tank soon. I now know (from this site) that I should have cycled the first aquarium for 1-3 months before buying fish, but.... I'm already too late for that.
So, my first question, is how long should I wait to transfer fish?
Once the aquarium is established, I plan to add 2 more loaches. So, my second question is should I start with the 29 gallon and then move to the 55 gallon when needed? My rationale for this was that the 29G would be much easier. But I just read that larger aquariums may in fact be easier to maintain. If so, should I just start with the 55G??
Thanks in advance for any advice.