Tropical Fish beginner advice needed.

freezspirit

I'm thinking of getting an Aqua start 320 tank 28litres and was thinking of getting one Siamese Fighting Fish.

However talking to the lady in the pet store, she said it would be better to start with a couple of cheaper tropical fish @ £1-£2 each than to get one fish @ £6. As I will be learning about the right water temp. and pH levels etc.

So what I want to know is whats a good beginner tropical fish to get? Is that a good starter tank?

BECKIN1507

Danio's are quite hardy fish I always advise them as starter fish. You need to set your tank up a couple of weeks before putting fish in. Seachem Prime is a fantastic water treatment, as it also protects fish from Ammonia you will not loose as many fish when you have a ammonia spike (it is normal to have a spike when starting out)

Mankysteve

BECKIN1507 wrote: »

(it is normal to have a spike when starting out)

No its not if you set the tank up by using fish less cycling. Cycling with fish is cruel and unnecessary nowadays.

My advice would be to get a bigger tank you can't get many fish in 23lrt tank a bigger tank would give you the opportunity for more of a selection. Also a bigger tank is more stable both in terms of water chemistry and temperature.

The second piece of advice is to google to fishless cycling its much kinder to the fish and it mean your less likely to loose fish early on so waste less money on buying fish (which would make you feel bad and more likely to put you off)

BECKIN1507

Mankysteve wrote: »

No its not if you set the tank up by using fish less cycling. Cycling with fish is cruel and unnecessary nowadays.

Oh I wasn't saying to just chuck them in but adding a few fish is going to cause a small spike in any tank, even if you have done a fishless cycle hense why I said you need to set the tank up a few weeks before adding fish.

freezspirit

Sorry I didn't reply sooner I was off researching. Yep I was going to start up tank for a month without fish, does that seem right? I live in an area where the tap water is very hard.

Also found this product Evolution Aqua Pure Aquarium Balls, would it help?

Ideally I would like to start off small, if I want to continue I could go up to a 2ft tank but I know I can't go for a 4ft tank, I don't have the room or money. To be honest I don't want alot of fish so thats why I thought a 28litre tank would limit the size and number of fish selection.

Froglet

Mankysteve is spot on with his advice.Before you do anything,and certainly don't neccessarily believe people in a pet shop! take a look here and work out what is best for your pocket,and definitely what is best for the fish.

http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/showthread.php?t=82687

This forum is the best out there and covers everything you need to know about all aspects of fish keeping.

If you just go ahead with such a small tank and stick two sacrificial fish in there ,who by the way need to be in shaols of at least 6,you will soon have sick fish on your hands and it will all have been a waste of money when they die.

There is NO substitute in my mind for a bit of patience and fishless cycling.

Fosterdog

BECKIN1507 wrote: »

Danio's are quite hardy fish I always advise them as starter fish.

Danios may be a hardy fish but they're also a fast paced fish that needs a long tank to dart back and fore, they also prefer fast moving water so a more powerful filter output to keep the current up, they also need to be kept in a group of a minimum 6-8 fish so it's not just the space needed for one fish. Although classed as tropical they prefer water temps between 18 - 25 degrees so higher than most cold water and slightly colder than most tropical fish.

They are one of the misunderstood fish that too many people recommend for a tank that's too small and inadequate, it's as bad as putting a goldfish in a bowl. Danios need a minimum of a 75 litre tank so putting them in a 28 litre would just be cruel and they wouldn't be able to exhibit natural behaviour.

Please whatever you do freezspirit don't add danios to such a small tank

BECKIN1507

Fosterdog wrote: »

Danios may be a hardy fish but they're also a fast paced fish that needs a long tank to dart back and fore, they also prefer fast moving water so a more powerful filter output to keep the current up, they also need to be kept in a group of a minimum 6-8 fish so it's not just the space needed for one fish. Although classed as tropical they prefer water temps between 18 - 25 degrees so higher than most cold water and slightly colder than most tropical fish.

They are one of the misunderstood fish that too many people recommend for a tank that's too small and inadequate, it's as bad as putting a goldfish in a bowl. Danios need a minimum of a 75 litre tank so putting them in a 28 litre would just be cruel and they wouldn't be able to exhibit natural behaviour.

Please whatever you do freezspirit don't add danios to such a small tank

Yes please ignore me, I've just had to re read 1st post, in my rush i read 320L tank not 28l! Smaller tanks are really a pain to maintain, a nice little 2ft are great for a starter tank and would be alot easier than a 28l. Danios are great fish I had them in a 6ft but did keep them at 27, didn't realise the prefer it a little colder.

scotty1971

join this forum,excellent advice

http://www.fishforums.net/