Hey, guys -- I'm a first-timer, though I've been reading about aquarium stuff off-and-on for the last few years, ever since my friend got me interested in the idea. I moved recently and have a lot of room available in my living room, so I figure I'll take the plunge and get an aquarium.
Right now I'm looking at a Nisso tank with rounded corners that comes with light (30W) and filter. It's 90 cm wide and holds 150 liters (edit: 36 inches and 40 gallons), so it's a pretty decent-sized tank and probably the biggest I'd be able to fit/afford. I understand that larger tanks are better for newbies since they're more stable. Also included with the tank is a large, stable cabinet.
What I'm thinking about is trying to build a natural riverbed-type habitat, with large stones/pebbles for the bottom (substrate?), some plants/moss, and some bogwood. I figure I'll get the tank, set all of that up, and let it sit for a week to cycle/stabilize before I put in the fish.
Speaking of the fish, I'm planning on getting one kind of fish every weekend, so there'll be a week or so for the tank to stabilize and the fish to get used to the environment -- does this sound like a reasonable plan?
The fish I'm looking at now are Zebra Danios first (10), then Neon Tetras (10), a few Clown Loaches (perhaps three), and then either a harem of Marbled (Opaline?) Gourami (M/FFF) or a matched pair of Dwarf Gourami (M/F).
Does this seem reasonable, or is it overcrowding the tank? I don't think there are any potential community conflicts in there, since the tank is pretty large and I'm planning on putting in plenty of hiding places; additionally, the fish are all on various layers.
There are three other things I'm concerned and/or wondering about, as well:
1. What about a cleaner fish? Perhaps an Albino Pleco or two, since they stay small?
2. I saw a few tanks with axolotls together with fish and they seemed happy, with no signs of stress or harrassment; the store owner said that as long as you put them in early and there are no aggressive fish, they tend to work out just fine. Second opinions?
3. I also saw a few tanks with small water-only turtles together with fish, and that seems interesting too, of course... though growth and waste would both be large factors in not keeping one, I think.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Edit: I live in a smaller city in Japan, so the brands/items/fish available here can be different from those available in America.
Right now I'm looking at a Nisso tank with rounded corners that comes with light (30W) and filter. It's 90 cm wide and holds 150 liters (edit: 36 inches and 40 gallons), so it's a pretty decent-sized tank and probably the biggest I'd be able to fit/afford. I understand that larger tanks are better for newbies since they're more stable. Also included with the tank is a large, stable cabinet.
What I'm thinking about is trying to build a natural riverbed-type habitat, with large stones/pebbles for the bottom (substrate?), some plants/moss, and some bogwood. I figure I'll get the tank, set all of that up, and let it sit for a week to cycle/stabilize before I put in the fish.
Speaking of the fish, I'm planning on getting one kind of fish every weekend, so there'll be a week or so for the tank to stabilize and the fish to get used to the environment -- does this sound like a reasonable plan?
The fish I'm looking at now are Zebra Danios first (10), then Neon Tetras (10), a few Clown Loaches (perhaps three), and then either a harem of Marbled (Opaline?) Gourami (M/FFF) or a matched pair of Dwarf Gourami (M/F).
Does this seem reasonable, or is it overcrowding the tank? I don't think there are any potential community conflicts in there, since the tank is pretty large and I'm planning on putting in plenty of hiding places; additionally, the fish are all on various layers.
There are three other things I'm concerned and/or wondering about, as well:
1. What about a cleaner fish? Perhaps an Albino Pleco or two, since they stay small?
2. I saw a few tanks with axolotls together with fish and they seemed happy, with no signs of stress or harrassment; the store owner said that as long as you put them in early and there are no aggressive fish, they tend to work out just fine. Second opinions?
3. I also saw a few tanks with small water-only turtles together with fish, and that seems interesting too, of course... though growth and waste would both be large factors in not keeping one, I think.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Edit: I live in a smaller city in Japan, so the brands/items/fish available here can be different from those available in America.