Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 5:58 pm Post subject: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and New to this hobby too. Planning to start with tank size 4X2X2. I don't have previous experience in fish keeping. Please suggest to go with this tank size or a smaller one.
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and New to this hobby too. Planning to start with tank size 4X2X2. I don't have previous experience in fish keeping. Please suggest to go with this tank size or a smaller one.
I'm thankful for being part of this community
Thanks
Hello Murali,
Welcome to IAH.
For a beginner, a 4 feet tank is huge may be atleast until you get to know the basics of an aquarium setup. Are you planning for a Planted aquarium setup or a setup with just Fishes?
Before diving, please do some research based on your interest. It is always best to start with a smaller tank ( when you are totally new to fish keeping) and then move on to bigger setup once you are comfortable. But again, there is no hard and fast rule saying that you only need to start with a smaller one.
Kindly update your profile with your location.
Regards,
Vin
Last edited by Clement on Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:23 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: Jan 31, 2009 Posts: 2526 Location: New Delhi
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Welcome to the world of insanity... I'd like to call it 'f'ish keeping'..Once hooked, there is no backing out my friend I 'd advice you to first visit any fish shop and select few fishes which you are fond of. Cite their names here so that we can discuss about their compatibility.First decide for yourself what you want to keep. That is the most important thing according to me.Best of luck ..
For a beginner, a 4 feet tank is huge may be atleast until you get to know the basics of an aquarium setup. Are you planning for a Planted aquarium setup or a setup with just Fishes?
Hi Vin,
Thanks for the quick response. Yes I'm in plan of going for planted aquarium. Initially I dreamed of having a marine but the cost made me to come to ground reality . Have to say mesmerized by the beauty of Marine aquarium. So currently hooking to planted tank and aquascaping.
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Hello Murali,
Planted setup is good choice for a 4ft tank is fine.
As I said before, do some research on how things related to planted setup are. The best would be to go through IAH which have got great information with with great and highly experienced hobbyists.
Spend more time on research initially before investing money on to the setup. Ask questions on things where you are not clear. Spend an hour daily on the site reading similar threads and that would really make a huge difference.
Welcome to the world of insanity... I'd like to call it 'f'ish keeping'..Once hooked, there is no backing out my friend I 'd advice you to first visit any fish shop and select few fishes which you are fond of. Cite their names here so that we can discuss about their compatibility.First decide for yourself what you want to keep. That is the most important thing according to me.Best of luck ..
Hi Hrishi007,
Thanks for your inputs Visited LFS last weekend. One thing I noticed is they are keen on doing business. They are saying many things like you buy this that etc...
Currently looking for small fishes like Barbs, Tetras & Guppies to start with. A community setup kind of thing.
Joined: Aug 01, 2014 Posts: 250 Location: Malleswaram, Bangalore
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Welcome Murali, both to fish-keeping and IAH, you're at the right place :)
I am no expert, but like clement mentioned, its better you start off with a small tank, that is if you haven't bought one already.
A 10G (approx 2'x1'x1') is a good size for starters. Water change is an essential part of fish keeping, and a 10G will make sure the changes are short and sweet
Joined: Nov 23, 2011 Posts: 1882 Location: Bangalore, Prakashnagar.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Murali,
Welcome to IAH and to this addictive hobby..
No matter what people say, when it comes to tank size. The bigger is better, you are lucky to have a 4 footer.
First you should know about fishes and their compatibility with each other and the kind of tank setup you are planning. Like some fishes cant be kept in planted aquarium, some need lots of rock work and some need very special setups like shell dweller chiclids.
I would suggest go for a non planted tank or a low tech planted tank.
For low tech tank,
The cheaper plant list consists of vallisneria, amazon swords, Sagittaria, most of the Hygrophila species, Rotala rotundifolia, Rotala rotundifolia sp. 'Green', Rotala indica, Ceratophylum demersum, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Bocapa monnieri, Hydrocotyle, All Cryptocoryne species, Najas Indica. regular Java moss.
The more pricey list includes plants like Anubias, Java ferns and other Moss. these plants need Drift woods or rocks to be tied on.
Choose a Good canister filter with around 3000Lts/hr output, or 2nos of 1500Lts/hr.
For substrate you can go for DIY mineralised soil set up or buy those branded substartes like Aquasoil or Controsoil.
Cycle the tank for a couple of months before introducing fishes in to the tank..
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Hi Murali,
Welcome To IAH.
And like Srinidhi said the bigger the tank is to easy to start with, first basic thing is nitrogen cycle below is some links for you to understand about cycling process you need to introduce fish only when the tank is cycled
When you dose fertilizer you can use any substrate but best for beginners is to start with ADA aquasoil amazonia, controsoil...etc
Lighting, CO2 and Filter
Basic thump rule is 10x flow of your tank volume eg. if you got a tank with 200 litre volume capacity then you need to buy 2000litre per hour flow capacity filter.
CO2 depends on your plant selection, but it always better to have, below are some links which will guide you
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Hi Srinidhi, Vivian & Sudhir Thanks for overwhelming response . Now I'm gaining confidence to start with a big tank.
Due to budget constraints I can't directly jump into a high-tech planted tank. So planning to start with fish only tank or minimal plants( I mean basic plants) with construction sand as substrate.
Joined: Nov 23, 2011 Posts: 1882 Location: Bangalore, Prakashnagar.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Yes, that's always better..
Set up the sand substrate, decorate with some hardware like rocks and driftwood. Get the filters and start the nitrogen cycling.. In the mean time you can decide on the fishes while the tank cycles.
The construction sand must the washed thoroughly before it can used in the aquarium. and keep it a max of 1 inch thick layer.
Don't compromise on the filters, this alone is the deciding factor for the health of the fishes. Buy at least one canister of 1500lts/hr and another can be a internal power filter.
Joined: Nov 23, 2011 Posts: 1882 Location: Bangalore, Prakashnagar.
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Hi All New to this forum - Advice needed
Murali,
Both have there merits and negatives..
In terms of filtration both are good, But you need lot of DIY skills to go for a sump. Where as Canisters are plug and play kind of thing,
Sumps can be customized as per your requirement and budget, generally they are built for huge tanks like 4 feet and above.
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. Have to say mesmerized by the beauty of Marine aquarium. So currently hooking to planted tank and aquascaping.
Visited LFS last weekend. One thing I noticed is they are keen on doing business. They are saying many things like you buy this that etc...
to IAH
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