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I really LOVE my best friends fish, and am thinking of getting some myself (when my hamster pops his clogs)!

I have apsolutely NO experience in fish keeping, I have not read any books and I REALLY need your help (thank goodness for the fishy people!)
So, what would I need to set up a tank for about 5-10 fish? A list with prices would be good. Any reccommendations for types/breeds of fish would be great too.

Any info welcome,
Thanks, A05

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Glad you found our spot on the net before you got started it'll help save you a bunch of trouble .

First thing to do is get some reading done on essential equipment
The best fish]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/fish-popular.asp[/link] to get started with and most importantly what will happen when you [link=cycle the tank.

Of course before you get your heart set on a school of silver sharks to start out with you'll want to consider what type of size and cost restrictions you have. If you havent got a lot of money or space or both () you'll want to stick with smaller fish. All those things (IMO) should be considered before you even start looking at what fish to buy.
Again, welcome, hope you like it here .

^_^

Well, the first step is what you're already doing: research. And that's so important; many people rush out to buy a tank, fill it with water and fish, hope for the best which unfortunately doesn't happen.

I would recommend that you decide on a tank size. There are kits available that include tank, hood, light, filter, heater that I personally think are good for beginners; you can always upgrade equipment if and when necessary. The kit would be your big initial output of money, so find out what kits cost in your area and what you can afford.

In addition to that expense you will need a stand, gravel, plants (artificial are fine, it's just to make the fish feel comfortable and safe in the tank), a gravel vac for cleaning/water changes, and a net or two. And while many stores will test water for you, I do recommend a master test kit, something similar to this. And something that's not often listed is a power strip...at the very minimum you will need an outlet for a filter, heater, light and perhaps an airpump.

Another factor is space. This link gives tank dimensions. Keep in mind though that a stand will add more required space around the tank, as well as equipment on the back of the tank (filter, cords, etc).

So you decide on a tank you have the space for and can afford. Here is where I suggest you wander around any store in your area that carries fish, have a notebook with you, and write down names-both scientific and common if available-of fish you like. If you want to go further, check books out of the library, expand on your list. Browse thru the profiles here on our site. Talk to your friend: what size tank does he/she keep, what types of fish.

I'll give you some basic information/guidelines to keep in mind when fish-browsing:

-tetras, danios, and most barbs are schooling fish, meaning they should be kept in groups of at least 5-6

-cories and loaches aren't technically schoolers but like company of their own kind; 5-6 cories is a minimum, 3-4 loaches

-many chain stores stock African cichlids, and while they're beautiful fish they aren't for community tanks as they require special water conditions

-if a store or profile states that a particular fish grows to 12" and/or is very agressive, believe it; thinking you'll get a slow growing fish or get lucky with a peaceful Green Terror is asking for trouble

-generally what most people try to do with a community tank is have something in each area of the tank: surface, middle bottom. Our profiles list this as water region; most books also give this information.

So hopefully I've given you something to work with, some direction to go in next. If you have any questions about equipment, please ask. And bring your fish-wish-list when you're ready and we can help you with stocking

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Well, i am the best friend.
It entierly depends on the type of fish you want, but a tank(10?) and stock etc. around here will be around £250.
Fish i would reccomend are cherry barbs, male platies and guppies, corys...
Have a look in the profiles, and write a list of fish you like, and that might be more useful.
Oh, and water in our area is Alkaline, so look for a PH above 7
BNF

Thanks for the info. I am going to ask my mum, but I don't think she will agree.
I am still going to research though, and one day I will get some
Don't stop sending messages though, the information is REALLY useful. Fish are SO cool.
Thanks you guys, though,
A05

It is better to get the biggest tank you can have and afford, IMO. Small tanks are very unsteady.

Also, in a bigger tank you can have more options on the types of fish.

A good beginner setup is a community tank with tetras, rasboras, cories, gouramis. The tank size decides what type of each and how much of each you can have.

Researching is great. Maybe your parents will see that you are being responsible and not just jumping into this. A good tank to start out with, if you can't have a big one is a 20g long. That would give you experience with some types of fish and maybe even plants if you decide to have them.

This hobby is very addicting. I started out with a 10g and then got my 55g. Now I also have a 29g, a 5g, and a 38g (empty at the moment). I have our finished basement covered in fish tanks. And I still live at home.

Fish are very interesting and exciting to keep. Good luck when you start. And remember you can never research enough.

Take Theresa's information on equipment and space. A tank will take up many electrical outlets. And takes up a good amount of space.

Also, going to the fish store and browsing is a good idea when you are getting ready to set up a tank. We can give you many suggestions on what fish to put in what size tank, but if your fish store doesn't carry them, it will do you no good.

*Kristin*

Fish tanks and kits should come with a surgeon generals warning:

"Keeping fish is a highly addictive activity, it only takes one time and you are hooked for life, your addiction will grow and soon you will have more tanks than you have people, your friends will think you have a problem, you will not have anything to say at parties that doesn't involve fish, your wallet will start to smoke as you begin to upgrade your tanks to planted, CO2 injected power tanks."



"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

"Keeping fish is a highly addictive activity, it only takes one time and you are hooked for life, your addiction will grow and soon you will have more tanks than you have people, your friends will think you have a problem, you will not have anything to say at parties that doesn't involve fish, your wallet will start to smoke as you begin to upgrade your tanks to planted, CO2 injected power tanks."

Exactly


*Kristin*

Check out this link for more warnings

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

luvmykrib & everyone else

Keeping fish is a highly addictive activity, it only takes one time and you are hooked for life, your addiction will grow and soon you will have more tanks than you have people, your friends will think you have a problem, you will not have anything to say at parties that doesn't involve fish, your wallet will start to smoke as you begin to upgrade your tanks to planted, CO2 injected power tanks.

You are so right & it happens quickly!!! I got my 20G tank early Jan 06, soon decided it wasn't big enough & arranged to trade it in for a 43.5G tank. When the new tank arrived, I couldn't part with the 20G, so kept it too. Already the 43.5G tank doesn't seem big enough - darn should have got bigger!! Both tanks are cycling - although I think by my latest test results, cycling may have just finished. Yeah!! So soon the fun part begins - stocking the tanks
Before I got into this hobby, My hubby was thinking of getting a really large tank, pretty much taking up the most part of one wall. Now he says I've become obsessed with what I have & that he'll never see me if we get another tank - so he's canned the idea for now .

It is a very addictive hobby.

Cheers
TW

I hope you're allowed to get a tank

If your parents deem the 10 to 20 gal setups too costly,
and there's no other alternative, BEG for a betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) and a small 5 gal tank setup for it. (don't keep it in the cup or a small fishbowl) This gives you a chance to learn and enjoy fishkeeping, and gets your parents used to the idea of having a fishtank around.

As a kid, I started with 2 goldfish in a 5 gal, my parents had a (55 ?) gal in the 'window' between the kitchen and living room. Hobby came and went over the years.. Now I'm fully obsessed past the point of no return.

You can even get different addictions WITHIN the hobby.
Mine are angelfish, apistos, live-bearers.
Mosses and crypts too (types of plants)
Snails, are sneaking their way in. (eww !)

I recommend if you're in school, take advantage of the library and get some books.. They may be outdated, but you'll gain some tips, and look thru them at leisure. Leave one on the kitchen table 'by accident'. Ask questions here too, which is where you'll get your latest info.

Welcome to FP

The Amazon Nut...

luvmykrib you are so right!!

it all started with a 20g in my room and then i desperately wanted a bigger tank so bought a 55g off ebay! its like a full time job and it takes so much of my money! its worth every cent though! my parents keep begging my to get rid of the 20g in my room but i love watching them before i go to sleep at night they are so relaxing! i am actually contemplating starting another tank!

Lol and all i seem to have to talk about is what my fish have been up to!

I really hope you are allowed to get a tank.. it really is a rewarding hobby! But dont expect many people to understand your addiction!

---

Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

For a beginner I definitely would NOT reccomend anything smaller than a 20 gallon tank. The reason has already been ststed above...they are just too unstable. The parameters can spike so quickly you wouldn't believe. I have a 10 and when it was stocked I had to do water changes twice a week to keep them in line. Not to say don't do it, they just require more maintenance. Generally, the larger the tank you can afford is better because the parameters will remain more stable and it will allow for mor wide selection of stock.
My ten gallon now houses my betta, and speedy the snail. such a light stock helps to maintain healthy water, but as was stated before betta can be kept in a smaller container and don't require any special equipment- filters, bubblers etc just change the water often and keep it warm for him.
Anyway, welcome to FP and hope everything works out for you.
p.s. If you're willing to do the research and the work involved it does show an interest that parents sometimes like to see in their younguns. my nephew wanted a tank but his mom said no...until he got a beginner's book with all the necessary info in it and learned all about it. Once they knew he was serious they got him the tank...good luck

Divertran has a good point. I suggest you get the biggest tank you can afford. Bigger than a 20g is good. You will definitely want a bigger tank if you start with a small one. Small tanks have limited stocking options and you will be tempted to put way too many fish in there. Start out with atleast a 29g and you will be much happier. Also, there is less room for tank crashing. A 30g long would be better than a 29g because of more surface area. Good luck with whatever you choose. And keep researching! /:'

*Kristin*

Yeah, girlie is right. I have my 15 that is my first tank, and i am after a 55.

You guys (and gals) are so right. My friends gave me a 10G for Christmas and I am already saving up for a 55G. What can I say? I'm hooked.

My first tank was a 3 footer, with (yes i know before you moan) a few goldies in it. Hey I was 5 years old!

Now I have 11 tanks. Average size is about 100 gallon. No room in the house, constant water changes, over a hundred fish now...and with the new rainbow fry rapidly heading for 200

My mts got a bit worse this year...in fact the water volume in my house doubled..I order filter media in bulk, tetra are thinking of giving me a business discount,... the girlfriend is feeling unloved,.. the cat thinks the fish food looks better than cat food...

I used to be worse, I used to be a herpetologist. Technically the aquaria are smaller than my vivaria used to be...

Im happy though