So here you are and have decided to set up a fish tank. This is an experience that will create a new passion as long as time is given with patience. Fish are very relaxing and very intresting.
You have to start out small alot of times. The size of the tank doesn't have to be small but you can't go out and spend alot on fish and accsessories until you have had you own experiences to know how some things work. Sometimes it can be differint.
You always must have a filter in the tank. Filters come in certain sizes and types. One of the best is an HOB or power filter. These are the kind that hang on the back of the tank and have a tube that pulls the water out of the tank into the filter. The water is cleaned and spills back into the tank. These can range from twenty dollars and up. It depends on how high end you want to go but again start small. These filters have a size that is ment for a certain size tank. The larger filters can cost more. Make sure you know how many gallons your tank is before you buy a filter. You can also buy a filter for half the capacity of the tank and buy two. It still adds up to the same capacity but filters more evenly.
You have to know if you are going to have tropical fish or types of goldfish. Goldfish can be very cheap but there are some that can be up to one hundred dollars. Goldfish are easy to keep alive as long as they are a larger size of at least two inches. Goldfish that are smaller than two inches in length may not live as long in a tank, but do well in a pond. Goldfish don't need a heater and can survive in water that is less than forty degrees. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some of the best for beginners are comets or shubunkin. Feeder fish often have diseases because they are kept in small tanks with a high number of fish. They are very likely to have a lot of stress because of this too, which can kill the fish. So don't buy feeder fish.
Tropical fish are differint from goldfish. They come in many types. You have to know what grows and what can be agressive with others. With goldfish you don't have to worry about agression as much. Certain types of fish are harder to keep alive than others. Semi agressive fish are great to start out with because they are cheap and easy to keep alive. Make sure you have your filter and heater ready to go. Semi agressive fish can only be with other semi agressive fish. These types of fish include tinfoil barbs. This fish is shaped like a tetra and are grey with red an yellow fins. They cost around two to four dollars and they are about an inch and a half in lengh at thes price. They can grow to be about eight inches and can eat even small catfish. They can be bought at this size for about fourteen dollars. They can sometimes harass new fish if they are put into the tank but it will only last for about an hour. This happens when they are any size so keep an eye out. Convicts are also a good start too. They breed very often though so be prepared for that, but they are great for raising their fry on their own. They are a type of South American cichlid. For a cichlid they are not very agressive unless they are in the process of breeding and raising fry. They cost usually around three to four dollars. They're cheap because they are so common so anything abover four dollars is to much to be paying. These fish are a grey with black stripes and sometimes can get a hint of blue or gold. They are about two inches in length when full grown.
For tropical freshwater fish like these you need a heater. Keep the water at about seventyeight degrees. A heater's cost depends on the size of the tank. for a fiftyfive gallon tank a heater costs only fifteen dollars. THis type clips on the back of the tank and is a glass tupe that heats up. You have to be careful. The heater gets very hot and you can burn yourself. Taking it out of the water while it is still on or hot will break the heater. If the heater is hot from being on and you put it in cold water you cold water it will break easily. Electric currents flow though water an this can electrocute you and your fish. If this happens pull the plug on the heater then pull it out.
One last thing- Gravel from pet shops is very expensive. If you want a natural look pea gravel only costs about three dollars. Just make sure you wash it after you buy it.
Hopefully some of this helped. Enjoy the new setup!
