Start with at least 20 gallon tank? - Page 2

Hepcat021 · 08-01-2006, 02:54 AM

I have a 10 gallon tank and ahve no money for anything bigger. I haven't been doing it for long but things seem to be doing well except for the first week or so. Oh, and the power went out for 5 days.

ahill3780 · 08-01-2006, 12:33 PM

I don't know how it is in your area, but here in Atlanta our Petsmart's carry empty tanks in stock for about $1 per gallon of volume. I got my 20 gallon long tank for $20, and the price was similar all the way up to 40 gallon. I think they charged $60 for a 55 gallon and the price fluctuated after that, but you should be able to pick up a 30 gallon for about $30. Most LFS's will jack up the price on all of their stock just to make a profit - in some cases these increases are as much as 150%! For instance, my LFS here sells 5 gallon buckets of Instant Ocean Sea Salt Mix for $60 apiece, whereas I can find the same product at Petsmart for only $45. When I mentioned to the LFS owner that I was going to pass on purchasing the salt at his store because I would rather go across the street and get it cheaper at Petsmart he promptly told me that he would gladly match the price and sell it to me for $45. In light of this I urge you to shop around and haggle the price, most places will work with you to gain your custom rather than lose it to someone else - at least if they are good businessmen they will!

Back on topic though, when planning on what size tank would be sufficient you should not take into account a fishes current size, but rather what their potential size is and plan accordingly. A 10 gallon tank is sufficient to house multiple guppies, mollies, or other fish they grow to less than an inch as adults. Actually, I will retract that statement for Mollies as they are non-stop poop machines and they will quickly raise the nitrate levels of a 10 gallon tank in a week!

Just remember that it is our duty as aquarists to provide our charges with the best possible environment that we can. A little love will go a loooong way in this hobby.

Hepcat021 · 08-05-2006, 02:17 AM

One thing I must add is that though I now believe a bigger tank is better in almost all way and yes the tank themselves don't cost "that" much, still there is the cost for bigger, better filters and heaters. I suppose also there is a accumlating cost of water treatment chemicals. Guess the point is to research the purchase as much as possilbe before buying and to save and/or budget your money till you have the size and amount of fish that you are comfortable with. Still I am just "super" beginner.

BIll

ahill3780 · 08-05-2006, 03:02 AM

Very true, bigger is always better when it comes to aquariums, go with the biggest your budget and availble space will allow.

The key aim is to take your time setting up and preparing the tank before stocking, and to use good maintenance practices in order to keep your tank parameters in line. Chemical treatments should always be a last resort. If you set the tank up properly and stock it slowly then you will find that you will not have any real need to keep conditioners and treatments on hand.

Jay · 08-05-2006, 08:17 AM

Hey Bill

Quote:

Guess the point is to research the purchase as much as possible before buying and to save and/or budget your money till you have the size and amount of fish that you are comfortable with. Still I am just "super" beginner.

You may be a "super begninner" but you are starting to "get it" as a hobbyist

Quote:

I suppose also there is a accumulation cost of water treatment chemicals.

Well a good detox product for water changes, and a few basic test kits, that's about it for beginning FW.

LOL until you really get addicted, then there is always that light I want to upgrade to or that filter, or that etc. etc.

Regards,
Jay

Hepcat021 · 08-05-2006, 11:31 AM

I am finding that if I had the money I would go all out for these fish. I would buy a bigger tank, filter, and heater. I would also buy a good lid and start with real plants. My ultimate plan after a few years of this is to start a salt water or reef tank and I can only imagine that that costs some money. I am sure there are many other things I could buy but for now I will stick to my simple setup and try to learn as much as possible to ensure better results and happier fish.

BILL

ahill3780 · 08-05-2006, 12:27 PM

Bravo, thats the idea when starting out. Don't aim too high, just start small, get an idea of the hazards and common mistakes, and use that knowledge to develop good husbandry and maintenance practices.

It will be good to have another saltwater keeper to chat with around here! I have begun work on my 'How To' guide for beginners to the saltwater hobby. It is a multi-part guide that covers all the basics of planning, design, proper setup, selection of materials, and practices and much more. I will discuss the different choices of tanks and what costs are involved with each. It will take some time to complete but I hope to have a rough draft within a month. I will start posting it in sections though so you may see portions spring up sooner than that. I would suggest checking it out before starting up a saltwater setup - not that you are likely to start your new tank within the next month!

- Aaron

Hepcat021 · 08-07-2006, 04:50 PM

I have a feeling it will be years before I have the money to start the tank I dream of. On another thread I saw costs of starting reef tanks and I was shocked. Plus as I said I need to learn to keep these few alive B4 I'd even consider it. Thousands of dollars! Yikes.

Bill

neonlife102 · 08-23-2006, 07:44 PM

Well, the best piece of advice I can give you, is to start out with the largest tank you can afford. Ofcourse don't overdo it, but you'll have more fun, and get more enjoyment, not to mention less work out of a large tank in comparison to a smaller one.

Jazzerain7 · 10-10-2006, 05:28 PM

So I've been reading up on getting a new tank, and the repeated creedo is BIGGER IS BETTER. Now, as an American I can appreciate this sentiment, but is there an upper limit to that rule? I have exactly 0 experience keeping a tank, and some of the people (in person) I talked to said that I should start with a good 30. I know it depends on what type of life I'm going to go with. (Thinking of fish with very cool colored plants BTW.) I can afford (on craigslist) and have space for a 110gal tank, it's a 48 inches by like 36 high or something like that. Pretty intimidating. I could also get a 55 gal more modest sized tank. I thought the happy medium was 75, as I want bigger fish like small 7" shark-types, but if I can swing the 110gal, should I, or am I getting in over my head. Thanks and cheers. Go Ravens...

-Jazz