c13m91988

Hi All, first Post on here.

I'm looking into getting my first tank, I know I have to leave it set up for so long and get the water tested etc.

I was wondering as fish experts some of you, what fish would be best to start with.

Im looking at getting approximately a 60 litre tank.

I've been told different things by different shops, so trying to gain more knowledge before I dive in and purchase.

Thanks
Craig

Diggly

firstly read up on the nitrogen cycle and read up on fishless cycling - it seems like ages when you first start but trust me it is alot better than watching your fish suffer or die.

What sort of fish do you like the look of?

mason

whell guppys are easy if you want to get some angel fish there preety easy if you got the water right

iloveengl

c13m91988 Welcome to FishLore!

That's so great to hear that you're doing research and you're letting the tank cycle fishless!

I think that's about 15 gallons (sorry gotta convert in my head in order to figure out fish allowances ).... So, the max size fish should be about 3-4" and it needs to be comfy in a smaller tank.

Some profiles you may want to check out at http://www.fishlore.com/freshwaterfish.htm:

Dwarf Gourami
Fancy Guppy
Balloon Molly
Platy
Otocinclus
Corydoras (you could have a large school of the c. pygeus, c. hastatus, or c. habrosus)
neon tetras (and other kinds of tetras)
Cherry barbs
Apple snail
Shrimp

With a small tank, you can't have all these fish, and some of them prefer schools of at least 6, but it will give you a starting point to see what colors, types that you like.

IMO 15 gallons is not nearly enough room for even one angel, let alone "some" and angels are rather picky about water conditions, so not the best fish for a newly cycled tank.

Diggly

I would say definitely NO to Angelfish.

You could add kuhli loaches to that list too!!

aquarist48

Hello C13 and Welcome to Fish Lore. Here is a link concerning the Nitrogen Cycle that is crucial to fish keeping:
The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle
Too, it mentions several ways to cycle your tank fishless. I also suggest purchasing an API (liquid) Master test kit. This kit will provide everything you need to test for everything mentioned in the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle.
Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling
Again Welcome to the site. Let us know when you have more questions or feel free to chime in to other conversations.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Ken

eiginh

Hello c13m91988 and welcome to fishlore!

The advices given are great except for the angelfish, they need at least I think 30 gallons. Anyway look at this thread made by agabr123, she made a great stocking list for small tanks. Work In Progress: Freshwater Community Stocking List

What are your plans with your fish tank? Do you want to have plants? Do you want it a community tank? Do you want a species only tank? Excuse me for all the questions but this will help out on focusing what type of substrate/light/fish you may like.

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore

bolivianbaby

Welcome to Fishlore

c13m91988

Cheers guys, I feel quite welcome.

I know about the fishless cycle, and I'll read up on the nitrogen cycle too. I dont know about plans, are they neccessary (excuse my thick question) I'm thinkin about more coral and the castley type things.

I think it is going to be more community type. Ive been told not to start with guppies.

Been told to start with dannios in one shop.

Erm, another told me platys and swordtails.

I like platies, mollies, swordtails, most tetras, guppies, sharks (I dont really know what to keep them with, or how easy they are to look after)

I like glass catfish too (random I know) but I've been told theyre difficult.

Thanks Again
Craig

jdhef

Live plants are not necessary. In my tank all of my plants are plastic.

Beth1965

Live plants are not necessary but they are great to have, IMO.

If you have the opportunity to take some gravel and or plants or decorations from a friends tank to place in your own, the cycling will go much much faster (if you can get the bacteria from someone elses tank). Best of luck
Beth

c13m91988

I dont really know anyone who has got one, but thats great for future reference.

Could anyone reccommend any plants?

Beth1965

Java ferns, anubas, any mosses. I happen to love amazon swords. You'll need to keep in mind what types of fish you have (some will uproot and mess up the plants) and keep in mind the type of lighting you have. I have all standard lighting in my tanks and have all the above plants and they thrive-i fertilize when i think about it-which is far from religiously.
Beth

Meenu

I was told that setting up a live planted tank is more expensive due to lighting, and more difficult, and that it is better for a new hobbyist to start with fake plants. Just my two cents.

As far as the type of fish, danios are recommended if you are going to cycle with fish, as they are hardy and may survive the cycling. If you do a fishless cycle, then you can start with guppies. I have guppies and really enjoy them. I would suggest getting only males, though, so you don't have to worry about babies. The females can come from the store pregnant.

You could get 3 corys (I just got some yesterday and they are so cute- they waddle when they swim) and maybe 5 male guppies - they are colorful. Tetras are good for a more established tank.

Also keep in mind that you want to have some fish that will hand out at different levels of your tank.

Diggly

It cost me about £7 extra to start with plants in my 60l (that was the cost of the plants . Lid was already included in the tank start up.) Real plants can be beneficial in keeping your water quality high and mine are thriving even though I havent fertilzed them since I have had them. The fish love them too.

As you are doing a fishless cycle guppies should be fine to start with!

Kitsune

Real plants give you the added benefit of having more oxygen in the water and they help keep the nitrates down between water changes. The only big expense of keeping them is that you need to go with a bulb that has a grow spectrum, and even then it's not that expensive. A few dollars extra pretty much.

If you use look at any of the above plants they really don't need special attention. I personally add a tiny bit of fertilizer with weekly water changes and my plants are already working on taking over my aquarium lol Unless you get something hard to care for you are not looking at a big expense or a lot of work and the benefits are definitely great.

jdhef

One other benefit to live plants is that they help keep algae in check, since the plants absorb all the nutrients that the algae needs to grow. The one downside to live plants is that they usually have snail eggs on them and before you know it you have a bunch of snails in the tank.

Kitsune

*Shameless plug for why assassin snails are great*
This can be an issue. A way I get around it is by scouting around on things like Kijiji and Craigslist for people selling plants from snail free tanks. Ordering online you have a better chance of finding snail free plants than you do in local pet/fish stores.

jdhef

I know there is some kind of solution that you can dip plants in that will kill off the eggs, but the name escapes me at the moment. Plus I don't know how easy it is to get the solution.

Kitsune

It might be something along the lines of snail be gone. I don't recommend it. A friend of mine tried it and it actually melted his plants. If you want to go the dip method 1-2 parts bleach to 18-19 parts water works better. Just rinse in de-chlorinated water after before putting them in the tank.

Diggly

Rinsing them thoroghly can combat snail eggs.

Personally I like snail eggs, it keeps my clown loaches happy .