Beginner Looking to Connect

Hello everybody!

I am in the very beginning stages of starting my first freshwater aquarium. I've always wanted to start one (I even worked in a popular tourist aquarium in FL. with sea turtles), but for one reason or another never have. I've been lurking on the "beginner" posts for some time now, learning about the supplies I need to purchase and the aquarium nitrogen cycle. I think I'm ready to slowly start buying supplies! I don't expect to actually have a finished aquarium for several months, as I'm completely starting from scratch ,but I'd like to connect with some people in the community!

A little about me: My name is Kelly and I'm nearly 30. I grew up working with all kinds of animals, some of my favorite being horses, owls, snakes, and of course sea turtles. I have a degree in environmental studies, but I currently work full time as an administrative assistant. I'm happily married with a 1 year old daughter, and share my home with 2 dogs and 3 cats.

I welcome any advice

 

Welcome. As far as offering any advice, the best I can do off the bat is to suggest you start with the largest aquarium your budget and the available space allows. Intuitively you'd think it's better to start with a small tank, but water parameters can go bad much more quickly in a small tank.

I started with a 40 gallon breeder tank, and wouldn't recommend anything less than 20 gallons for beginners.

 

Hello and welcome! My advice is to do ur own research. Dont listen to the pet stores advice until u research and ask people here as well. They usually just want to sell u stuff u prob dont need. Or fish that maybe wont work together or for ur set up. No matter what just get as much info u can and gather ur own conclusions. Theres not just 1 way to do things. Good luck!

 

Welcome to Fishlore. As stated above, if you can start big.
The larger tanks are a lot easier to maintain then smaller tanks. Learn the nitrogen cycle before you even start a tank.

As far as setting up a new tank, go slow and don't rush it, it will pay off in the end.

Ask a lot of questions, no question is stupid.

Enjoy the Hobby, its a great Hobby to get into, and very relaxing.

 

I love your username! Original and still topical haha.
With all your animal loving background I bet you are going to do just fine. It's amazing how you learn keeping fish that they are so much like all the other animals we love. They learn to recognize you, show you when they are hurt or scared or not feeling well just like a horse or a cat or dog! It's just a matter of learning their language. I think horse people have it easier...dorsal fin = ears
I agree with JettsPapa that you should get the biggest tank you can. Plan your dive and dive your plan. You can be running in as little as 4 weeks if you do it right, but research is the first step. There are so many people here who can help you, too. You're in a good spot. Welcome!

 

I love your username! Original and still topical haha.
With all your animal loving background I bet you are going to do just fine. It's amazing how you learn keeping fish that they are so much like all the other animals we love. They learn to recognize you, show you when they are hurt or scared or not feeling well just like a horse or a cat or dog! It's just a matter of learning their language. I think horse people have it easier...dorsal fin = ears
I agree with JettsPapa that you should get the biggest tank you can. Plan your dive and dive your plan. You can be running in as little as 4 weeks if you do it right, but research is the first step. There are so many people here who can help you, too. You're in a good spot. Welcome!

Thank you! I speak french intermediately, and I always try to incorporate it into usernames I plan to get a 29/30 gallon to start with. Anything bigger than that, and I'm worried I'd get overwhelmed!

 

Thank you! I speak french intermediately, and I always try to incorporate it into usernames I plan to get a 29/30 gallon to start with. Anything bigger than that, and I'm worried I'd get overwhelmed!

Go for the 30!! if you can swing a 40 or 50 gallon even better. They are easier to light being 36" long and your fish options open up a lot vs. a 29. It's harder to find good lights for a 30" tank and that extra 6" of lateral swimming space means the world (literally) to some fish, and they are no harder to take care of. Larger volumes of water change more slowly so bigger tanks are more stable.
My Sage Advice (TM): Only bad things happen fast! Patience, padawan. Can't wait to see what you end up with

 

Welcome to the forum!

This is probably the best place to be when learning about aquariums. Fish keeping isn't a competitive hobby and pretty much everyone on this hobby is just here because they love fish and love talking to and helping out other people in the hobby. So the forum is super laid back and everyone is really friendly.

It sounds like you're on the right track researching equipment and the cycle. My two pieces of advice would be:
1: Do a fishless cycle. It's better for the fish and a lot less stressful for you! Fish-in cycles are definitely possible but require you de-toxify the ammonia every 24 hours with Prime and keep the ammonia/nitrite levels right around 1ppm so you basically have to do daily water changes. During a fishless cycle, you can let ammonia/nitrite get up to 4 ppm.

Use pure ammonia for the fishless cycle. You can buy it at Ace Hardware for $5.

2: Get the next up tank from what you were originally thinking and stock it how you would stock the smaller one! If you were thinking of getting a 20 gallon tank and putting 15 tetras in there, get a 30 gallon tank and put 15 tetras in there. The fish will be happier and the extra room for error will help you keep nitrate and algae down and also give you more room if you want to get more fish down the line.

Good luck with everything!

 

Welcome to the forum!

This is probably the best place to be when learning about aquariums. Fish keeping isn't a competitive hobby and pretty much everyone on this hobby is just here because they love fish and love talking to and helping out other people in the hobby. So the forum is super laid back and everyone is really friendly.

It sounds like you're on the right track researching equipment and the cycle. My two pieces of advice would be:
1: Do a fishless cycle. It's better for the fish and a lot less stressful for you! Fish-in cycles are definitely possible but require you de-toxify the ammonia every 24 hours with Prime and keep the ammonia/nitrite levels right around 1ppm so you basically have to do daily water changes. During a fishless cycle, you can let ammonia/nitrite get up to 4 ppm.

Use pure ammonia for the fishless cycle. You can buy it at Ace Hardware for $5.

2: Get the next up tank from what you were originally thinking and stock it how you would stock the smaller one! If you were thinking of getting a 20 gallon tank and putting 15 tetras in there, get a 30 gallon tank and put 15 tetras in there. The fish will be happier and the extra room for error will help you keep nitrate and algae down and also give you more room if you want to get more fish down the line.

Good luck with everything!

I was definitely planning on doing a fishless cycle! I couldn't imagine subjecting the fish to that while I got used to maintaining an aquarium.

And thanks for the advice on the tank size! I was planning on a 30, but will try and go with a 40. I haven't though much about what fish I want to keep yet, I just know I plan to have some panda corys.

 

You've already been given good advice.
I definitely suggest that you get a canister filter, black sand, and a blue or black background.

 

Everything above and hide your food from the little one. They like to feed the fish whole cans of food.

 

Thank you! I speak french intermediately, and I always try to incorporate it into usernames I plan to get a 29/30 gallon to start with. Anything bigger than that, and I'm worried I'd get overwhelmed!

A 40 gallon breeder isn't much larger, and is a great size. I like the fact that it's not very deep, which makes it much easier to work in. As far as cycling, do you have any fish keeping friends or relatives? If yes, perhaps you can get some filter media from an established tank for an "instant cycle."

 

Hi petitpoisson welcome.
Its a big hobby with many different people doing different things. There is no one correct answer to most things.
The hobby is full of people from all walks of life. It has people that name their fish and people that feed live fish to fish. Some of us have pink gravel with plastic castles and some have slices of nature. Some don’t even have gravel.
Having been to the Sydney ( Australia) clubs all day auctions it’s amazing to see the difference cultures of people from totally different countries all talking fish together. How big your wallet is means nothing.

 

Hello ^^
I'm not sure if I'm the kind of person you would want to connect with since I have no advice to give but you and I seem to be at the same stage on this journey. I've also recently decided it was time to set up a freshwater tank and am currently in the researching and planning phase. I hope to have fish by the end of the year but I'm in no rush since I want to get all the foundations right first.
I live in Missouri with my husband, step daughter (15) and our 3 pet goats. Good luck on your journey I'll looking forward to seeing your aquarium coming together ^^

 

A 40 gallon breeder isn't much larger, and is a great size. I like the fact that it's not very deep, which makes it much easier to work in. As far as cycling, do you have any fish keeping friends or relatives? If yes, perhaps you can get some filter media from an established tank for an "instant cycle."

My uncle used to keep fish, but I'm not sure if he still does. I will check with him and see!

Hello ^^
I'm not sure if I'm the kind of person you would want to connect with since I have no advice to give but you and I seem to be at the same stage on this journey. I've also recently decided it was time to set up a freshwater tank and am currently in the researching and planning phase. I hope to have fish by the end of the year but I'm in no rush since I want to get all the foundations right first.
I live in Missouri with my husband, step daughter (15) and our 3 pet goats. Good luck on your journey I'll looking forward to seeing your aquarium coming together ^^

I'm looking to connect with beginners too! I'm just trying to get involved in the fish keeping community

 

I was definitely planning on doing a fishless cycle! I couldn't imagine subjecting the fish to that while I got used to maintaining an aquarium.

And thanks for the advice on the tank size! I was planning on a 30, but will try and go with a 40. I haven't though much about what fish I want to keep yet, I just know I plan to have some panda corys.

That's not a bad idea! "40 gallon breeder" tanks have a very large footprint so I think it's a great size for a first tank. Especially for cories because they're always at the bottom so the extra footprint is better than height.

If a 30 if the size you do end up getting, just slightly understock instead of overstock the tank. It just makes things so much easier and your fish will be much happier and healthier.

And panda cories are great fish! I have some in my 75 gallon tank. You'll always find them cuddling each other and like laying on top of each other. It's very cute.

 

I believe the Petco "$1 per gallon" sale is on right now (at least it is online), so you have great timing.

 

Welcome! I will add my name to the list of those that agree a bigger tank is better! I recently went from a 16g to a 45g and it's SO much easier- oddly enough.
A larger tank is much more forgiving, plus you can get more fish.
I found my tank and stand on facebook marketplace and got an excellent deal!

 

Welcome! I third or fourth the 40 breeder size. I have two and love them. I did get my second one at the Petco sale for $49.99.
This is my second go round in the hobby. First time was way back in the early 80s! But I’ve gravitated to Asian fish this time.
If I were setting up a tank with corys I’d go with a nice group of bleeding heart tetras and maybe one of the smaller South American cichlid varieties. Have no idea which one as I’ve only researched the African cichlids. But which ever one matches water parameter-wise with tne corys and tetras.
Looking forward to seeing your new tank!
Oh and I have one snippet of advice. Test your tap water to see what you have as far as ph, ammonia, nitrates, GH, KH, and even TDS. I could have saved myself a ton of heartache if I had done that.

 

Along with going in on a bigger tank, the best piece of advice I can give is to get a filter that is rated for tanks larger than yours.

This is such an underrated thing that isn't talked about enough. However, it won't be beneficial unless you clean and maintain it weekly when you do water changes. But I highly, highly recommend a bigger filter.

On my 10g tank, I run an AquaClear 30: rated for 30g tanks.

 

Welcome to fishlore.

Your in the right place to learn and ask for help. Others have already stated some really good advice. Know your water source parameters before you start. Get an API Master Test Kit and test the water. See if it had any ammonia, nitrates etc.

 

Thank you all so much for your advice! I have one quick question - my friend is giving me a 55 gallon tank. It was used for hermit crabs in the past, and is pretty old. I of course am going to test it to make sure the seals are still good before adding fish, and clean it well.

Is there a specific way to test the seals, or just add water and monitor it? Also, is there a specific way I should clean the tank to make sure it's safe for fish?

 

Welcome to FishLore!

Be careful with that 55g tank. Make sure it is actually a fish tank and not a lizzard/snake tank. Apparently tanks designed for lizzards and snakes (and in this case possibly a hermit crab) have thinner glass that is not strong enough to hold water.

 

This might help. But yea just scrub it up and fill and wait. Dish liquid is safe if rinsed by the way. Viniger. Bleach. Peroxide. Salt as an abrasive. Take your pick.