Another Tank? Advice Please!

Looks like I might start another fish tank :) I've had bettas in tanks that were about 1-2.5 gallons and have had fish in my 5 gallon hex. The problem with these tanks was that neither I or my mom knew much about fish so they lived for about half a year or so then died. After an anatomy teacher started a tank, I have the motivation to go out and buy a book about fish and start a 10-20 gallon aquarium. I have my own money now (about $200 to be spent on fish stuff) so I can really go "all out". If anyone has any suggestions about good fish for beginners or any brand of filters you especially like then please let me know! I promise I won't get NTS (New Tank Syndrome) and that I will do TONS of research!

~abigail

Hi Abigail - glad to see you back!

I personally have a soft spot for Mollys and Platys, but I'll bet some of the more experienced fish people here will have more ideas for you. :)

Thanks :) I've been doing some research now and really think Platys look cool! But another thing I need opinions on, acrylic or glass?

Acrylic is sturdier, but harder to clean. I'm not too certain of the advantages/disadvantages in regards to fish environment, but I know I scratched a few acrylic tanks just trying to clean them when I was working in a pet store. :o

Don't bother with a book. Books are made to sell products and I haven't seen one yet that doesn't have outdated information, even those printed this year. Especially books produced by TFH (tropical fish hobbyist). Try aquariumadvice.com and look at their articles as well as the forum.

Acrylic or glass. Glass definately. I wouldn't touch acrylic for anything less that 75 gallons.

Filters. Elite stingray is a good one. They are made for 5-15 gallons, but I have the largest one in my 30 gallon tank and it keeps the tank cycled. I switched the filter sponge it came with and used my own sponge (just a plain sponge) instead. These filters are almost dead silent. I only clean them once every month or two and then only squeeze the sponge off in a bucket of tank water and using the same sponge to clean the plastic components. I find replacing the carbon stuff to do more harm to the cycle than good. You really don't need carbon in a tank anyway, it's only active for 7 days.

Fish depends on tank size and what you like in a fish. You'll probably be disappointed at what you can fit in a 10 gallon tank. I don't recommend mollies for a 10g. A 20g tank will give you twice the possibilities.


Edit: I found a review of a freshwater fish atlas which sums up most hobbyist's views on these books
"I consider my purchase of this book with the same sort of shame and embarrassment as my purchase of a who's who of high school students several years ago. The authors have learned to make money by cataloguing information without really understanding or thinking about it. Without much more than pictures, the reader has little chance of extracting any useful information. I would be very surprised if all of the pictures truly represent the intended species, and I would be very surprised if the authors of this kind of book are anything more than charlatans."

My favourite fish forum is www.petfish.net they also have a great forum. Irescue542 gave some good advice =]

Thanks sooo much everyone and especially Irescue542 :) I definately think I'm going to get a 20 gallon but I might have to save some more money or transfer money from my other account. The good thing is I get $50 a month so I should be done saving soon :D But seriously once again thanks so much for all the advice!!! Hehehe I hope my rats don't get jealous that there will be more pets in my room :p