schweeb

Hey guys, I'm new to the site, and somewhat new to aquariums in general.

I've got a 3 gallon (empty) and a 12 gallon (6 danios) currently, and I've been looking around on craigslist for a 30ish gallon tank to tide me over until I move into my house (around October), where I will buy a much larger tank.

Getting to the point, I found a decent deal on a 30 gallon setup with everything, but the guy's literally selling EVERYTHING, including the 4 cichlids in the tank. I'm not so sure about keeping cichlids in the first place, because it severely limits the stocking options for the tank.

Should I buy it with the cichlids, should I take them to the LFS? Do all LFSes take unwanted fish back?

If I kept the cichlids (African, I believe), what are my options for tankmates? Is 4 overloading the tank anyways?

How would I move them? I would kinda like to get the experience setting up and cycling the 30 gallon from scratch, and that wouldn't be fair to the fish (and would likely kill them).

Anyone have any useful advice, opinions, please feel free to speak up.

FYI, here's the info from the craigslist post:

30 GALLON FISH TANK & ACCESSORIES - $100
• 30 Gallon Fish Tank
• Fish Tank Stand
• Spare Fish Tank
• Cover w/ Fluorescent Light
• Filter
• Heater
• 4 African Cychlid Fish
• Thermometer
• Air Pump
• 2 Air Stones
• Cychlid Food
• Decorations

As a side note, is that a fair price?

Angela_96

If the tank looks like its in good condition, and the fish are healthy, I would say its a fair price, and go for it.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!!! id find out what kind of fish they are then you will have an idea if more can be added or not..as well as how to take care of them if you knew what they were...

Bonochick

I would suggest calling some stores around you and asking what their policy is. Some may not take them at all, some may do trades, some may pay for them, some may take them but give you nothing in return (except, obviously, for the favor of taking the fish off your hands and giving them a chance elsewhere).

J J Indy

My LFS will sometimes pay you for fish depending what they are and how many they already have sometimes they trade for other fish of the same price other times they will take them off your hands for nothing. The price on the tank seems pretty good another option might be like petsmart has 29 gallon kits for 99 or sometimes 89 with tank, hood, heater, filter, thermometer, and a few samples of stress coat, food etc. always but the stand is where they get you I have built my own stands for my tanks it was a lot cheaper. Good luck on what ever you decide.

schweeb

UPDATE: I ended up scrapping this idea - I didn't really feel like moving an established tank and dealing with the Cichlids. I'll wait till I'm more experienced, with more tanks, to deal with Cichlids.

Petsmart just happened to have a deal on the 26 Gallon bowfronts (or the 29 gallon rectangular). I prefer the aesthetics of the bowfront.

I'm currently attempting my first fishless cycle. I have seeded ammonia production a bit by adding some fish food, and seeded the bacteria production by putting a cup of gravel from one of my cycled tanks, and the filter media.

Is keeping the gravel in a cup fine? I don't want to mix the gravel, as I chose red for this tank, and the older tank's was shades of blue.

Are there any other recommendations to expedite this tank's cycle? I got a bottle of the API-brand bacteria cultures, not sure it'll be particularly helpful, but will it hurt anything? I couldn't find Tetra EasyStart at any LFSes or PetSmart.

Awsome22

Howdy, I dont know about the gravel in the cup but i just recently read somthing about putting gravel in new nylon stockings or somthing of the type and hanging it in ur tank.... a fine net of kind would probably work just as well or a filter from an established tank thats been in it ofr 2-3 weeks