FishProfiles.com Message Forums

hey guys!

im livingin a dorm on campus, and well i was thinking about getting a fish...soo first i need to decide on a tank!

the limit in my dorm is a 10g tank...so i cant go any higher and i know about how hard it will be to keep it clean, ive done my research...

so what are some good tanks out there, filters and etc!?

"I'm not a Guppy!" - Flounder

HI,
Why not simply go to the nearest WalMart, LFS, and/or
Petsmart, and see what they are charging for a 10 gallon
setup? They include the tank, filter and components,
gravel and a light. Pick the least expensive setup.

There are all kinds of things you can do with a 10G tank
that are absolutely amazing especially if you chose a
well planted tank. The setup will probably come with an
incandescent bulb which I would immediately toss, and
purchase a screw in flourscent bulb. You can probably
purchase it in the same store over in the household
lighting section in the light bulbs. Be sure to purchase
one that has SUN or DAYLIGHT in the label and not anything
that says WARM or COOL (those are for reading only).

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

You can set up a 10 gallon for $50 easy, and that's complete with hood and light, filter, and heater. However, I would suggest buying the equipment like the filter, light, and heater, online (either BigAls.com or ThatFishPlace.com), because even after shipping, it will still probably be far less expensive than buying at your local lfs. At least, I know at mine they mark up equipment like filters and heater as much as 300%. The heater I can get for $12 at TFP costs $30 at the LFS.
Gravel, net, gravel vac, and other maitenance equipment might cost you another $20 or so, and then you get the fish. There are tons of small tank stocking posts to search through to give you ideas.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

I second the idea of buying equipment online. If you have a Petsmart or Petco nearby, they should sell 10g tanks for around $10...probably less. Then you can check BigAls online, Drs Foster and Smith, or That Pet Place for heater, filter, and such. Sometimes you can find a kit that has decent equipment, but I'd go to the extra trouble to find good equipment.

As for stocking, like mentioned above, there are many possibilities. A 10g is fairly easy to plant. If you want to go planted, then go for the kit, because it will include a hood. Then you can swap out the screw in bulbs, like Frank mentioned.

Tang shelldwellers would be excellent for a 10g as well.

Its up to you...what do you like?

*Kristin*

walmart has a "deluxe" setup (was my first tank) that includes filter, heater, thermometer, hood, light, for 35 bucks. I would add 8-10 lbs of gravel, 3 plastic plants(if you can keep them clean), a rock or two, and you are set. try starting with small inexpensive fish while you get accoustomed to your tank.

Fish or cut bait.

Hi. Yes the starter kits are ideal for new set ups. They come (usually) with hood, light, heater, filter, thermometer, etc and only require substrate, water and some fish to set up.
For a ten the light will most likely be incandescent, which I have found to be likeable but the bulbs do tend to burn out after a few months, and they add heat too. A nice flourescent would last longer and add relatively no heat. You may find the screw in bulbs at a home store or the like.
The filter will be an internal tank filter or more likely a hob. Either will be rated for the size tank they come with.
The heater will be one that you usually cannot submerge fully into the tank, but will suffice and work well in a small tank like the ten. Mine has gone over two years now and still works great.
Add a small bag of gravel, and a few ornaments, perhaps the little diver guy that hooks to an air line, and away you go.
Air pump and stones, with a good filter is usually not necessary but sometimes enjoyable depending on what in in the tank.
Upgrading, by the way, can always be done at your lesure(sp) as time and fundage allows. Good luch with your new tank! Oh, and don't forget weekly or bi-weekly water changes.