Need advice : setting up an Aquarium

Sui_Generis

Hi would like to buy and set up a small aquarium for a young child - I'm new to fishkeeping etc so at this point cost is an important consideration.

I've seen the rather attractive biOrb tanks but from some reading it looks like a 60L is the smallest reasonable size and I think that's too expensive so I need to consider something else. So can anyone suggest other brands I should be looking at?

Also we want to create a tropical tank and would be happy with a larger number of small fish in favour of large fish and would welcome any advice on that score.

Thanks

Bean_Counter

You could try finding a small local outfit, as they quite often will make up tanks to the size that you want and give you advice on heaters, filters, fish etc.

~Chameleon~

Keeping fish can be a rather complex subject so I suggest you start by reading as much as possible and doing your research before even thinking of buying a tank, especially as cost is an important consideration to you. It's not exactly a cheap hobby!

This would be a good place for you to start

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/beginner.htm


Even a 60L tank is far too small to keep fish in, the larger you can afford the better. Just to give you an idea, a 60L tank can hold little more than a SINGLE goldfish, maybe two at a push if they are a small species. If you're going for tropicals then you'd only be able to keep 6-12 small fish in it.

Spudette

Biorbs are definately the easiest Aquariums to keep, they are the bread and butter of fish tanks. Simple to keep and clean and they look fab. I have had all sizes of Biorbs but the 30L was the best size I thought personally. The 60L didn't quite look right.

HTH

MrsTinks

If you are planning on putting the tank in the childs bedroom don't get a biorb They're not the quietest of tanks... I went to our local fish shop as we know them quite well and explained I wanted a quiet, small but pretty/stylish tank for my daughters nursery - I ended up with the Fluval Edge - cheaper than the Biorb too It's easy to look after and nearly silent so ideal for her nursery.
Other tanks I'd recommend are the smaller Aqua One tanks - we have a 90litre one in the livingroom and it's been very easy to look after and apparently the smaller tanks are pretty good too.

Best fish to start with? Probably guppies But ask at the shop - they should know their fish and shoudl be able to tell you where they are from. At the moment there are some very good quality guppies coming in from Israel if you can get them Absolutely gorgeous colourings

Sui_Generis

First, thanks all for the comments. One thing I didn't mention was I'd been into a local aquarium(?) shop (exclusively, & not a pet shop) and they seemed quite practical in their advice but it was as their weekly delivery was arriving so it was a bit hurried and I'll go back again.

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

… a 60L tank can hold little more than a SINGLE goldfish, maybe two at a push if they are a small species. If you're going for tropicals then you'd only be able to keep 6-12 small fish in it.

Thanks for the link I've started reading and all refs help.

In what I've read so far the main objection to the biOrb appears to be size, shape and water surface area and goldfish always get quoted. From my limited knowledge they grow a lot so would need to be rehoused in a few years and - how do I put this - produce a large amount of waste comparatively? Now the biOrb controversy and goldfish - honestly I'd rather have six tetras than two goldfish.

Spudette wrote: »

I have had all sizes of Biorbs but the 30L was the best size I thought personally. The 60L didn't quite look right.

Thanks an interesting comment. I'd initially thought of a 30L but the negative comments biOrb attract seemed to rule out anything less than 60L?

MrsTine wrote: »

biorb They're not the quietest of tanks... I went to our local fish shop as we know them quite well and explained I wanted a quiet, small but pretty/stylish tank for my daughters nursery - I ended up with the Fluval Edge - cheaper than the Biorb too It's easy to look after and nearly silent so ideal for her nursery.
Other tanks I'd recommend are the smaller Aqua One tanks - we have a 90litre one in the livingroom and it's been very easy to look after and apparently the smaller tanks are pretty good too.

Its intended to be kept in the living room but quiet is still important. Thanks for the link but a criticism of the biOrb seems to be small surface area for oxygenation(?) of the water and yet the Fluval looks even worse in that respect? BTW I think I like the design more than a biOrb!

Roughly how much would a biOrb or Fluval tropical tank cost to run in filters or other supplies etc over a year? Anyone care to hazard a guess?

Any other things I should be considering in my choice of aquarium?

~Chameleon~

How about a BiUbe then?


I think the reason Biorbs are so frequently related to goldfish is because that seems to be the most common species of fish kept in them, unfortunately, as they're also one of the worst possible species to keep in a Biorb! I really wouldn't bother with a 30L unless you just plan to keep a small group of neon tetras or similar.


ETA: Just a thought, but if you don't want to buy a terribly large aquarium, have you thought about perhaps keeping a single male Siamese Fighting fish? They are stunning to look at and relatively easy to keep. You can keep smaller peaceful fish along with them, but they do equally well on their own if space is limited.

MrsTinks

Siamese fighters were/are kept literally in jars... rightly or wrongly (in my oppinion the latter...) so they can cope with VERY little space...

The Fluval Edge tank that we have hasn't had any oxygenation problems so far - the fish and mini shrimps I keep in there have been thriving Granted I only have a few select guppies and a cleaning fish (can't recall it's name at the mo... it'll come to me )
The filtration system actually returns the water at a very impressive rate which I guess is why the oxygen gets returned quickly - I did some reading on a few sites and so far all the negative comments have been made by people who haven't actually got one or haven't seen one up and running... I was sceptical too but i trust the people where I buy our fish from - they know their stuff! If you are only looking for a couple of fish and maybe some cherry shrimp then you should be fine. As for cleaning... it's been running about 6 months now and hasn't needed a clean yet... go figure... Then again I have only put artificial plants in it so less decomposing stuff in there... again pick species that aren't renowned for pooping lots

As for running cost... Hmmm good question... mine is due another change of filter media in the next few weeks - I'll check the price for you if I remember

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

We had a few guppies in a tank. Not particularly expensive, and the males are stunning. I'd also agree with your idea for more smaller fish - mini shoals are lovely and more natural for the fish.

But the best people to speak to are the people in proper aquarium shops, as they want your fish to be happy and healthy. A good one will chat to you about what you are planning, but be quite happy for you to say you're just getting information at this stage. If they just try and sell you things, you may wish to make your excuses and try somewhere else.

Froglet

best place for really good advice is here http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/index.php i am a member and there is loads of help there

k.o.d

If you join an aquatic website and start asking questions that is a good start.
I do agree with making sure you buy as big as you can with the aquarium for 2 reasons
1. It is fairer on the fish, although for some fish their territory is much smaller than 60 litres
2. Much more importantly, the larger the volume of water, the more stable conditions there are for fish and at the end of the day, that is what you are looking for

You have to set up the tank and allow the nitrogen cycle to mature the tank and have a proper filter system to allow the cycle to continue(look up how to do it, you can do a fishless cycle or use hardy fish)
As was said before, biorbs (In my opinion only) do not have the air/water surface area ration that I would like as that is where oxygen exchange takes place.

Guppies are not neccesarily the best staerter fish as they are inbred and have been hormone treated to produce huge numbers, but there are other colourful hardy fish that will easily go in a first set-up

We have several tanks, ranging from 180 litres to 1500+ litres, and once you get the bug, it is hard to stop, but do your research first and enjoy it