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troutman · 10-25-2004, 04:11 PM

No expert, but I learned a lot setting up our new acquarium last year. If I could change one thing I would not get an undergravel filter again. Try to start some plants first if you have the patience. Don't add any fish for a long time; wait until the plants are established and there is enough bacetria in the tank. You can buy kits to test the water quality. Change the water (20%) every 2-3 weeks, and don't overfeed the fish.

Rule of thumb - tank can hold one inch of fish for each gallon of tank, but I would be conservative with that. Also check to see which fish are compatible. You don't want some fish eating all your other expensive fish.

I assume you are going freshwater tropical, so I would suggest trying one of these set-ups:

1) "Amazon" tank - tetras, angel fish, corys, rams

2) "African" tank - cichlids - need lots of rocks and are very territorial; need more space, but the Calgary water is perfect for them

http://www.aquaria.info/index.php

http://www.aquaria.info/modules.php?op=mod...&catid=&topic=9

http://www.fishprofiles.com/

http://www.aquarank.com/

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/index.php

In Calgary, try:

Pisces - NE Calgary
Downtown - big shop near the River and Cecil Hotel - I forget the name
Big Al's - Heritage and MacLeod
PetLand & Petcetera
17th Ave SE - shop specializing in African cichlids

Books:

A Practical Guide to Setting Up Your Tropical Freshwater Aquarium
by Gina Sandford (Author)

10-25-2004, 04:11 PM	#2
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	No expert, but I learned a lot setting up our new acquarium last year. If I could change one thing I would not get an undergravel filter again. Try to start some plants first if you have the patience. Don't add any fish for a long time; wait until the plants are established and there is enough bacetria in the tank. You can buy kits to test the water quality. Change the water (20%) every 2-3 weeks, and don't overfeed the fish. Rule of thumb - tank can hold one inch of fish for each gallon of tank, but I would be conservative with that. Also check to see which fish are compatible. You don't want some fish eating all your other expensive fish. I assume you are going freshwater tropical, so I would suggest trying one of these set-ups: 1) "Amazon" tank - tetras, angel fish, corys, rams 2) "African" tank - cichlids - need lots of rocks and are very territorial; need more space, but the Calgary water is perfect for them http://www.aquaria.info/index.php http://www.aquaria.info/modules.php?op=mod...&catid=&topic=9 http://www.fishprofiles.com/ http://www.aquarank.com/ http://www.cichlid-forum.com/index.php In Calgary, try: Pisces - NE Calgary Downtown - big shop near the River and Cecil Hotel - I forget the name Big Al's - Heritage and MacLeod PetLand & Petcetera 17th Ave SE - shop specializing in African cichlids Books: A Practical Guide to Setting Up Your Tropical Freshwater Aquarium by Gina Sandford (Author)