Starting a new aquarium...

[Mr. Ski]

Hello,

My wife and I decided to dust off her old aquarium this past week and set it up. It's a 40 gal tank (approx 18"x18"x30" in size) and has a Tetra Power filter. So far it's sitting empty in our den, washed and ready to go. She used to keep Koi in it, but we're thinking about getting tropical fish this time. I've never kept fish before...

Any advice on:
* how to avoid common pitfalls?
* where to shop in Calgary?
* what's worked well / not so well.
* thoughts on live plants?
* any other thoughts...

Thanks.

[troutman]

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)

[KevanGuy]

First, make sure there is no soap residue left over from the cleaning. Fill it up with purified water and let it mature for at least a couple of days. Make sure you have a new and clean filter. I usually go to Pisces for my tank stuff but Big Als on Heritage is good too. Go there and get some bottles of Waste Control, Aqua Plus and Cycle. Follow the instructions on the bottles. After the few days are up get the plants in there and maybe some Molly's or cheap tetra to test the water out. After about a week take a water sample to the store and get them to analyze it. If everything is OK and the fish aren't dead get some cool ones and enjoy.

Do not go to 'supermarket' stores like Petland. The people working there usually don't know a damned thing about keeping tanks properly. Stick to the stores that specialize in aquatics.

EDIT: My advice would be not to start (or ever own) cichlids. They can be quite nasty and not great community fish. Most kinds of tetra's and danio's are good ones to start with and they look good. Make sure at least one bulb is a 'black light' to get the full effect of the fish's colors. Oh, and get a pleco to clean up the bottom of the tank. Don't get a crayfish, they are nasty and will eat the fish if they get a chance.

[Calgary Flames]

No offense, but why would someone want fish? Sounds like alot of work, for very little reward.

Again, sorry if you fish lovers take offense by my comments it's just something i've been wondering.

[KevanGuy]

The place downtown is Riverfront. They have some pretty cool stuff there (Rays and whatnot) but it was overpriced if I recall.

[Mightyfire89]

My suggestion - Buy a good, detailed how-to book on the subject...doing so will save you from a lot of potential headaches. Whatever amount of money you spend will be worth it.

There are a surprising amount of things to consider when setting up an aquarium, here are a few:

Having the right amount and mix of types of fish.

Monitoring your ph and acid levels so as not to poison your fish.

Live plants or artificial? Live are considerably more work, fake ones just don't look as nice.

Salt water tank or regular? Some of the types of fish you can put in a salt water tank are just spectacular in appearance (almost nothing in a regular tropical tank can compare), BUT, maintaining a salt water tank is much more time and labour intensive, not to mention much more delicate. Plus, generally the fish are far more expensive.

There are many more. BTW, can't help you on where to shop, as I don't live in Cowtown anymore.

Like I said, buy a book...trust me.

[troutman]

My suggestion - Buy a good, detailed how-to book on the subject...doing so will save you from a lot of potential headaches. Whatever amount of money you spend will be worth it.

Good advice. I got a really good book last year locally at Chapters. When I get home I will look up the title and post it.

[Mr. Ski]

Thanks guy's. Appreciate the responses.

A few notes:

* I made sure not to use any soap when I cleaned the tank. Just tap water and lots (lots!) of elbow grease.

* I'm definitely going the freshwater route. I might try something more challenging if I really get into aquarium keeping, but for now easy to manage is OK by me.

* I'm interested in going for a natural looking setup. I don't want a plastic scuba diver or bubbling skull in the tank -- not my thing. Can you add lava rock and drift wood? Do they have to be sterilized first? or is a good washing (like the tank) going to do the trick?

* I'll certainly go the book route. I've got a $50 Chapters gift certificate at home that will come in handy...

[KevanGuy]

It is usually good to boil all the stuff you put in the tank (not including the fish). Don't put corals into a freshwater tank because they can gradually disolve and hurt the chemistry of the tank. And make sure you either use distilled water or water treated with AquaPlus to boil the stuff in. The clorine in tap water is quite poisonious to fish.

[troutman]

This is the book I highly recommend:


1. Tropical Fishlopaedia
by Mary Bailey (Author) (Paperback - January 30, 2000)

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1860...5930711-6182753

Explains in detail how to do things, and most importantly why.

Another book describing the varities of tropical freshwater fish available, and compatabilities:

Aquarium Fish
by Dick Mills (Author), Robert Goldstein (Editor), Jerry Young (Photographer)

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564...5930711-6182753