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I bought a 10 gallon hexagon tank for my son. I have it all set up now. I really am lost though as to what items I need to buy when I go to the store. Some things I do know:

1. Test Strips
2. Algae brush
3. gravel vacuum

What else besdides fish !?!?

well you've come to the right place to find that out

fist up ya need:
a filter
heater(depending on what fish you get)
an air pump/airstone
water conditioners
a variety of of atleast two diferent foods
thermomiter
and as you mentioned test kits
-if you can't afford the all i'd get pH, ammonia, and nitrite
and a few more things that i can't think of off the top of my head

Thanks, I already have the filter, pump, heater, thermometer. They came with the tank. Also have the gravel. Really I just need the cleaning supplies and water testing equipment stuff (other than the fish and fish food )

Are live plants better than fake ones ?? I wasn't sure how many plants I should put in there. I don't want it to be too much.

should of mentioned we are just going to get some tropical community fish. Not sure what kind.

Hi Mike!

welcome to FP! as darth said, youv come to the right place!!

live plants will be extra maintainance, alth there are some hardy plants you could use. i'm assuming ur hex came with a aquarium light too?

let us know what kinda of fish your planning on keepin before you buy them k? that way we can give u a hand as its quite easy to get carried away and overstock a 10G!

what kind of filter do you have? do you know about cycling the tank?

there is a good article on beginning aquaria in the articles section of this site bba.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.fishprofiles.com/articles/beginner/bba.asp

yes, it does have a light. It is a Top Fin Filter that came with the tank. It says "top fin power filter 10" on the package.

I was thinking of just getting 2 fish and 1 bottom dweller at first. I know there are some bottom dweller fish that look like a small catfish, I am not familiar with all the names though.

I am not 100% sure about cycling. If I am correct it is best to use a certain type of fish ??? Maybe I can just start off with 2 small ones and a bottom dweller to cycle?? Not sure what types are good to cycle though.

I'll pick up these tomorrow. If all the tests come back okay, is it time to add some fish !?!?!

2 other questions I was curious about:

1. is it imoportant to keep the light on for a certain amount of time? Even with fake plants?

2. what temp should my water be for tropical community fish? it is 76-78 range so far today without the heater on.


Thanks again, I'll try not to ask too much.

Last edited by Mike71 at 10-Aug-2005 22:40

1. is it imoportant to keep the light on for a certain amount of time? Even with fake plants?

It is important to keep your lights on for about 8-12 hours a day in order to get your fish into a cycle for feeding and behavior. An automatic timer is a great option.

2. what temp should my water be for tropical community fish? it is 76-78 range so far today without the heater on.

That is a fine temperature, but i would put the heater on anyway just to make sure that the temperature does not drop below that temperature quickly.

In addition, this test kit is really nice but costs $22 in the store!! So print out the page from online and they will give you that price in the store.

Great, thanks for the link.