newbie with very basic questions??

fishtanker · 06-01-2010, 07:31 PM

Hi All,

First of all FTF is a great place to learn about setting up fish tanks. Well i am very new to the hobby and i am planning to setup the first fish tank ever of my life.

I went through some posts here and i read about cycling tanks (http://www.fishtankforums.com/4-fres...g-dummies.html) its a great article... but i have questions even before i try to cycle my "tank"

well here are the questions :

1. I saw a good 10" fish tank kit at walmart which has got pretty much everything we need for a tank setup.. so would that be a good buy for $30 ?
2. if i try to manually setup a tank then what equipments do i need ? (i don't know anything about equipments or rather don't know what to call them, have only seen in acquariums)
3. What size would be a good first tank size ?
4. what kind of fishes should i have ? which would need a low maintenance and care ? (i can surely get good fishes once i gain some experience)
5. which would be a good choice ? acrylic tank or glass tank?

Thanks for reading.

Judge · 06-02-2010, 08:24 AM

Hi Fishtanker and welcome to FTF. We have a video tutorial on setting up a new tank that you might want to view that can help narrow down your questions. Some questions are a matter of personal choice. I would recommend researching everything thoroughly so less problems will occur.

fishtanker · 06-02-2010, 10:30 AM

Thank you for your response but I tried searching for the videos but couldn't find it, can you pls show me where it is.

Thanks

Judge · 06-02-2010, 10:55 AM

Sorry. I believe there are several places where you can access them. First, down at the bottom of my posts should be a You tube link for the videos. Also if you go to site suggestions, comments...they are also there. Seems to me (could be wrong..I wil check) at the top of every section is a link..hmmm, now you have me wondering! LOL

ZeroSystem · 06-02-2010, 04:56 PM

Here is a link to the tutorials for ya:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/16-sit...tutorials.html

The kit you saw was likely a 10 gallon aquarium kit, and although $30 is a good price, I wonder if it really comes with everything you will need.

The most basic equipment would include a hood and light fixture, a filter (hang-on-the-back style power filters are the most common these days) and a heater.

In my opinion, a bigger fish tank is easier to maintain then a small one. That being said you've got to take into account how much space and money will be needed for a larger setup. 10 gallons is a common beginner tank size.

Danio's are a common and hardy species of fish that come in a variety of color morphs and are always active. Great beginner fish. As far as glass or acrylic, I prefer glass because acrylic can supposedly scratch very easily, but I've never actually owned an acrylic tank so I couldn't say for certain!

Like Judge said, do lots research before making any purchases and let us know if you have any other questions!

fishtanker · 06-02-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

Here is a link to the tutorials for ya:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/16-sit...tutorials.html

The kit you saw was likely a 10 gallon aquarium kit, and although $30 is a good price, I wonder if it really comes with everything you will need.

The most basic equipment would include a hood and light fixture, a filter (hang-on-the-back style power filters are the most common these days) and a heater.

In my opinion, a bigger fish tank is easier to maintain then a small one. That being said you've got to take into account how much space and money will be needed for a larger setup. 10 gallons is a common beginner tank size.

Danio's are a common and hardy species of fish that come in a variety of color morphs and are always active. Great beginner fish. As far as glass or acrylic, I prefer glass because acrylic can supposedly scratch very easily, but I've never actually owned an acrylic tank so I couldn't say for certain!

Like Judge said, do lots research before making any purchases and let us know if you have any other questions!

Thanks for the info Zero. Well i located a used tank on craigslist and the complete setup is for $25. I still have to take a look at the tank but its a 10 gallon tank without fish.

So being said that its already a running tank, if the tank was dry for some time, do i still need to cycle the tank ?

Thanks for the tip on the beginner fish.

fishtanker · 06-02-2010, 06:23 PM

Thank you for the video tutorial, it a good amount of info.

ZeroSystem · 06-02-2010, 07:57 PM

You're welcome!

If the tank is dry then yes, you will need to cycle it.

fishtanker · 06-02-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

You're welcome!

If the tank is dry then yes, you will need to cycle it.

So, i think the tank has all the decors viz. substrate and things like that so i am planning to clean everything throughly with water before i start my cycle.

Lets see if i buy the tank today ? if yes then will post a pic.

Thanks for the info.

fishtanker · 06-03-2010, 01:35 PM

I got the tank, its a used tank which i need to clean since it was dry since long time but it has everything except air pump and the fish.