jeannejean81

My husband and I have always talked about getting a fish tank, I think we might actually do it soon. We don't want to spend tons of money, so we've been contemplating whether to get a a used 30 to 40 gallon tank or stick to a new smaller one, like 20 gallons. We like the peaceful small tropical fish like the mollies, guppies, tetras, platties ... What do you guys think. Also, has anyone moved with a fish tank? How hard is that? Not that we are planning on moving soon, but if we got a 30 or 40 gallon would we be regretting the decision trying to move it? I just want us to make a good decision and know that I'll get a million times better answer here than in any fish store...

Devon

Welcome to FishLore!!

The only fish you mentioned that I am familiar with keeping are tetras (I keep several Black Neons and I love them). If it were me, and I wanted to get a tank full of small, peaceful fish, I'd get a larger tank so that the schooling fish (like the tetras) could have more friends. They like to be kept in groups of 6-12. You could easily have a big school of very active, playful little fish in a 30 gallon tank. I personally prefer smaller schooling fish like that because they bring so much movement and action to the tank, but this is always personal preference.

Every time I get a new tank, I start looking for a bigger one...

I haven't had to move with a fish tank yet, so I'm afraid I won't be a lot of help on that subject.

jeannejean81

Thanks Devon!

I have another question, Have you ever gotten a used fish tank? What do you look for? For a new fish keeper, would you recommend it?

Devon

Two of my three tanks were from Craigslist and I have had no trouble with either. You can get some really good deals, and potentially meet some other cool fishkeepers that can be a good resource to you later on.
I got a 35g setup with stand, filter, hood, lighting, heater, some decorations, and substrate for I think $50, and a 10gal with all of the above accessories included for $35. So it is definitely worth it. Just be sure to sterilize the tank and accessories (not with household cleaners! trace cleaners are a sure way to hurt your fish). When go to look at the tank, ask them to fill it with water if it isn't already set up and demonstrate that everything works. The main things to look for are cracks, or very slow leaks around the seams in the tank itself.

Barbrella

The only problem with guppies, platies and mollies is that unless you get all the same sex of each, you'll have never-ending babies. Most petstores are not interested in taking them, so you have a problem of what to do with them all.

I've moved with fishtanks. It's not my favorite thing, but (depending on how far you have to go) as long as you're organized and have everything you need ahead of time, it's not so bad!

jeannejean81

How do you sterilize without household cleaners? I set up an appointment to see a 40 gallon, with stand, hood, glass cover, light, gravel, filters, heater, chemicals, food, and aquarium cleaner for $140. Did you pay full asking price or did you haggle? I'll have to make my husband do the negotiations.

jeannejean81

Barbrella - so you think if we were prepared even a 40 gallon would be okay moving? How big was you tank?

Devon

You can use distilled white vinegar diluted in water, to scrub it out, then filled to the brim of the tank overnight. Just be sure to rinse it out really well.

I have gotten people to lower their asking prices for all kinds of stuff on Craigslist by saying something to the effect of, "I'd like to pick it up right now, but I have $xx only in cash on hand..." Sometimes people just want to get cash ASAP, and if they think that can do that right away and get rid of whatever they are trying to get rid of, you can often get them to agree to take less.

Best of luck!! A 40 gallon is going to be sooo much fun.

jdhef

You were pretty smart researching before starting up an aquarium. I wish I had. I had kept fish about 20 years ago, and thought I knew stuff, but it turned out almost everything I knew from before was wrong!

The larger tanks are actually easier to work with then smaller tanks, so a 40 gallon would be great. Also, with the rule of thumb for stocking you tank with fish being 1" of adult size fish per gallon of water, a larger tank allows more fish.

You can sterilize your tank with a solution of 1 part bleach to 19 parts water. Then rise it out well and use water conditioner (such as Prime or Stress Coat) after filling to remove to chlorine in the water and from any risidual bleach.

Take some time to learn about cycling your tank. Depending on which method you use, it can be a bit of a long process (taking up to 6 weeks before adding fish), and it can be hard to remain patient wating for it to cycle. You can learn about cycling here: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Also there are some good beginers guides on this website. Here's a good starting point:
http://www.fishlore.com/BeginnersGuides.htm

Good luck and welcome to the hobby

jeannejean81

Actually, looking at this website and forum have become daily addictions. I never thought keeping fish was complicated, but I'm glad we didn't just get a whole set up and then found out later what we should have done. Plus, All the questions I have so many of you know the answers to! Thanks for all the help!!!

jdhef

You think this website is addictive, wait until you developer MTS. And believe me, the people here are no help when it comes to MTS. They are all enablers I tell you, all enablers!

MTS=Multiple Tank Syndrome (the sudden appearance of more tanks in your house)

jeannejean81

My husband and I have already talked about how cool it would be to have a cichlid tank as well. So we're already prone to MTS. We figured for our first go, we should stick to a peaceful community tank. LOL!

jdhef

That sounds like a wise choice to me.

Annabelle

Good on you for researching beforhand! Sounds like you have already noticed that its the best thing to do before getting anything live. Things always get more complicated then you originally think when you are dealing with living organisms.

Hopefully MTS will be the only contagious thing you get while keeping fish.

I often use really really really salty water to sterilise stuff and the rinse it really well but vinegar might be better as you have no idea what was previously in the tank. Definately ask the people to do a leak test and run the other things cause the last thing you want is faulty equipment and a leaky tank.

I only have a 2ft tank (about 23gal or thereabouts) but I have moved it many times before. Moving tanks is not too bad so long as you have planned where you are going to put it in the new place before you move it and try to move it after the main furniture so that you can set it up straight away and the movers dont have to worry about breaking it (and you dont have to worry about them breaking it). I also find its best to move it youself in the back of a stationwagon or get a trusted friend with a trailer cause ive heard from friends who have put thier 4ft in the moving truck and ended up having to get rid of all thier fish when the tank got cracked during transit. Another option is to put the tank stand in the moving truck so that the movers can place it for you and follow the truck with the tank and your fish.

A peaceful community tank is the best place to start but can be hard to get the mix right. Start simple with only 2 or 3 different types and research like crazy. Google, the library/bookstores, and of course, this forum and connecting sites will become your best friends. We love to help and no question is too stupid to ask. My community tank currently consists or neons and cories and a Betta (I have no problems with my betta but I got lucky cause there can be many problems. I was only game to try cause I had a backup tank just in case). I love my tank to bits and its been smooth sailing for me.

A QT (quarantine tank) is a very good idea. It only needs to be small (10 of 15 gal) with a little filter and a little heater. This way you can quarantine your fish as you add them and you have a back up tank just in case there are problems. Getting new buckets that will be solely for fish tank use is also a good idea so that you know that nothing dangerous will find its way into the tank.

Good luck! You'll love it!

Darlene

Welcome to fishlore and fish keeping, you are going to love it here!

jeannejean81

What do you guys think of all-in-one tank set ups? Are they usually good or are they more of a minimum set up than a good working set up?

Darlene

We have an all in one 20 gallon from Marineland and haven't had any problems yet, its only been up for a few months. I do know I want to update our light for live plants though. I have some live plants in there but I don't know how they will work with the light we have. We want to get a bigger tank after a while and will probably buy everything separate then.

jeannejean81

Do you wish you had already purchased a larger tank or are you happy with the 20 gallon. I really can't decide if I should stick with a 20 or go larger like a 30 or 40.