Tropical Fish (Again Probably)
Discussion
PH Fish Keepers(if that's the correct term)
I went to look for a replacement for the OH's Goldfish that died and came out of Maidenhead Aquatics with one of these, Fish Tank. I was advised to buy the largest one that I could afford which I did. I know nothing about tropical fish, which ones to get what lives with what etc. I currently have the water in the tank with plants and fine gravel with the various solutions to sort out the water with the thought of buying the first fish next Saturday.
I'm after some advice/recommendations from the PH collective on where to start. what fish goes well with what, I've done some research on fish types but quite frankly it is a minefield of what needs what to live water temps etc. I would like to be able to go into the store with some kind of idea as to what I would want/need.
Many thanks
I went to look for a replacement for the OH's Goldfish that died and came out of Maidenhead Aquatics with one of these, Fish Tank. I was advised to buy the largest one that I could afford which I did. I know nothing about tropical fish, which ones to get what lives with what etc. I currently have the water in the tank with plants and fine gravel with the various solutions to sort out the water with the thought of buying the first fish next Saturday.
I'm after some advice/recommendations from the PH collective on where to start. what fish goes well with what, I've done some research on fish types but quite frankly it is a minefield of what needs what to live water temps etc. I would like to be able to go into the store with some kind of idea as to what I would want/need.
Many thanks
First thing to do is read up on fishless cycling.
You will need to establish your filter before adding any fish, this normally takes about six weeks.
What ever you do, dont add any fish until you have done this, otherwise they will suffer from the amonia.
A good place to start is the forums on practical fishkeeping.
Kam
You will need to establish your filter before adding any fish, this normally takes about six weeks.
What ever you do, dont add any fish until you have done this, otherwise they will suffer from the amonia.
A good place to start is the forums on practical fishkeeping.
Kam
Sign up to the 'Practical Fishkeeping' Forum go to new fishkeeper section, tell them you've had water in a week and think you're ready to add fish, get flamed, then take all the advice and links that get thrown at you 
Seriously though (although that would happen
), it's proved a very useful forum since I started up again last year. Just don't expect the traffic you see on PH.
Lovely looking tanks the Askolls BTW.
Also: http://www.aqadvisor.com/ pretty useful site for stocking guidance.
And you'll be needing a decent liquid test kit, like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAGEN-NUTRAFIN-MINI-MAST...
Good luck!!!
Seriously though (although that would happen
), it's proved a very useful forum since I started up again last year. Just don't expect the traffic you see on PH.Lovely looking tanks the Askolls BTW.
Also: http://www.aqadvisor.com/ pretty useful site for stocking guidance.
And you'll be needing a decent liquid test kit, like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAGEN-NUTRAFIN-MINI-MAST...
Good luck!!!
+1 on fishless cycling. Even better if you can get some established media off someone local to get you started.
I wouldn't bother with any of the fancy cycling solutions, I cycled my filters with a £2 bottle of ammonia from boots. It's a really useful process actually as it gets you used to water changes and learning how the test kit works. Takes a few weeks but well worth it and the best situation for the fish. you only ever need do it once as if you get a new tank you just transfer your filter media across and viola, instantly cycled tank.
With a 44 litre cube you're going to be a bit limited on fish choice. You need small fish that don't swim around much. Lots of fish should be kept in groups of 6+ too otherwise they get stressed so be careful that adding another type of fish won't leave you over stocked. Don't impulse buy fish, make sure you research them first.
I wouldn't bother with any of the fancy cycling solutions, I cycled my filters with a £2 bottle of ammonia from boots. It's a really useful process actually as it gets you used to water changes and learning how the test kit works. Takes a few weeks but well worth it and the best situation for the fish. you only ever need do it once as if you get a new tank you just transfer your filter media across and viola, instantly cycled tank.
With a 44 litre cube you're going to be a bit limited on fish choice. You need small fish that don't swim around much. Lots of fish should be kept in groups of 6+ too otherwise they get stressed so be careful that adding another type of fish won't leave you over stocked. Don't impulse buy fish, make sure you research them first.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 13th August 09:03
lufbramatt said:
+1 on fishless cycling. Even better if you can get some established media off someone local to get you started.
I wouldn't bother with any of the fancy cycling solutions, I cycled my filters with a £2 bottle of ammonia from boots. It's a really useful process actually as it gets you used to water changes and learning how the test kit works. Takes a few weeks but well worth it and the best situation for the fish. you only ever need do it once as if you get a new tank you just transfer your filter media across and viola, instantly cycled tank.
With a 44 litre cube you're going to be a bit limited on fish choice. You need small fish that don't swim around much. Lots of fish should be kept in groups of 6+ too otherwise they get stressed so be careful that adding another type of fish won't leave you over stocked. Don't impulse buy fish, make sure you research them first.
This!!!I wouldn't bother with any of the fancy cycling solutions, I cycled my filters with a £2 bottle of ammonia from boots. It's a really useful process actually as it gets you used to water changes and learning how the test kit works. Takes a few weeks but well worth it and the best situation for the fish. you only ever need do it once as if you get a new tank you just transfer your filter media across and viola, instantly cycled tank.
With a 44 litre cube you're going to be a bit limited on fish choice. You need small fish that don't swim around much. Lots of fish should be kept in groups of 6+ too otherwise they get stressed so be careful that adding another type of fish won't leave you over stocked. Don't impulse buy fish, make sure you research them first.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 13th August 09:03
Get yourself some ammonia and some proper water testing kits. Dont bother with the strip testing kit, get the proper liquid ones.
Once you've got a stable water environment then I'd start with a reasonably hardy species. Zebra Danios are tough little fish - not the most fancy but they are really energetic and will dart around your aquarium. Don't add too many fish at once as this can overload your system while the good bacteria multiply enough to process the additional waste. I only ever add a maximum of 10 small fish at a time.
Make sure that the fish you end up including are compatible. Most tropical species can tolerate a similar temperature range (around circa 26C) but some do require higher temps which wont suit the others. Also pay attention to the flow rate of your filter - some species prefer fast flowing water while others prefer it calm.
One final tip is to get a mixture of bottom, mid and top feeders. Small Corydoras for the bottom, danios/tetras for the middle / top.
Make sure that the fish you end up including are compatible. Most tropical species can tolerate a similar temperature range (around circa 26C) but some do require higher temps which wont suit the others. Also pay attention to the flow rate of your filter - some species prefer fast flowing water while others prefer it calm.
One final tip is to get a mixture of bottom, mid and top feeders. Small Corydoras for the bottom, danios/tetras for the middle / top.
z4chris99 said:
buy a hardy fishy... my oscars take all manner of s
t , me going on holiday etc and keep coming back for more, and they are friendly big buggers..
you may need a bigger tank
I loved my Oscar. Awesome fish who took food from my hand.t , me going on holiday etc and keep coming back for more, and they are friendly big buggers.. you may need a bigger tank
Good excuse for more tanks too - you end up with an eight footer before you realise it! Word of warning, don't add big heavy rocks - they get moved and can crack the glass. Buying a big tank regent lay doesn't come cheap - and there's only so long you're allowed to use the bath.
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