Another New Member

[Lynn W.]

Hi!
We had an aquarium for about 10 years when the kids were young. The "baby" is now 21 and at college. I was cleaning out the attic last week and came across our old aquarium and decided to set it up again. It's a 20 gallon tank in good repair. The pump, heater, and hood light were all too old to salvage, so I went last weekend to buy new and improved models. I cleaned out the tank with vinegar. Bought some new gravel and reread the fish book. The aquarium has been going for over 48 hours--water conditioned, temperature and pH good. I bought some water plants this time (before we only had plastic)--Java fern, a moss ball, needle leaf ludwigia, and water wisteria. Tonight I bought the first fish: a pleco, an algae eater, a sunburst platy, a red wag platy, a black molly, and a cremesicle lyretail molly. Everyone is fed and getting used to their new surroundings. The cat is fascinated by this new addition to his den. I imagine he and I will spend many relaxing hours watching our fishies. I would love to have a black lyretail molly, but I can't find anyone locally who sells them. (We live in Murfreesboro, TN.) I may add a swordtail or some neon tetras, but this is about it. All of the fish are small right now--even the pleco, although our last one lived for 10 years and was about a foot long. Hubby asked why no black moor or red tailed shark, so we may be setting up a second tank eventually.
Anyway, I'm a little rusty at owning fish, so I may be asking questions of the group. Glad to be here!
Lynn

 

[Andrew McFadden]

:Welcome: to AA! We hope ya enjoy

This link is a very good read you should read it
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium/

 

[Convict2161]

Welcome to the forum

 

[librarygirl]

Hi and welcome! You may want to take a look at that link above. The tank hasn't cycled yet and theres' a good number of fish in there for an uncyled tank, which means toxins are going to rise quickly. What kind of pleco? Commons can grow to 1-2 feet. Some algae eaters grow rather large as well and can become destructive/aggressive as they mature. Ask more questions if we can help!

 

[Tabbykat9698]

Hey! Go to Aquatic Critter on Nolensville pike for EVERYTHING. But Animal CIty in the boro also has good fish (and used to even have a walaby lol). My ex just took our yellow lab cichlids there because he moved But feel free to ask with questions--read about the cycling process--some of your fish might die and you should understand why. Aquatic Critter can also order fish if you want one you cant find.

 

[Lynn W.]

Thanks for the Advice!

Hello and thanksa for the warm welcome!

I didn't know about cycling and the "what do I do now" article was helpful. Guess I will get a test kit and roll up my sleeves to do some water changing for the next month. So far, the 6 fish are doing fine. I know the pleco (standard pleco?) and the algae eater will get big--really big. That's why I think we will be adding a second tank eventually. (I will cycle it first!)

I love the folks at Animal City. (I remember the wallaby) and they have been helpful. I may check out Petco and Pet Smart, too. And it looks like I will try a trip to Nashville, as well. I really would like a black lyretail molly or two--they are my favorite fish. But, first things first, I need to start cycling my tank. (I guess there'll be some changes made--in more ways than one! Ha ha!)

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[Tabbykat9698]

Petco and Petsmart are ok but not really knowledgable people. Aquatic Critter has people that have worked there for 20 years. Even have aligators on the reptile side. I remember another pet store in the boro it was near panera and old navy and walmart but I forgot the name, I think it went out of business. Anyway glad to see another fish keeper in the area!! I love it.