Who here has Fish?

[skernsk]

Do any of you have fish tanks at home?

This summer my son wanted a pet.  We have a cat, my daughter has a Hamster, and we had just recently lost our dog.  My wife and I suggested Fish and he liked the idea.  We set him up with a 20 Gallon tank and some Tetra's.

We were absolutely clueless about keeping fish and I really did not realize the kind of work and knowledge you must have to succeed at it.  We have been through the tank cycling and recently lost a ton of Fish to 'Ich'.  There have been a few bumps along the way but my wife and I have both enjoyed doing the work, along with our son. 

Now I lost my mind and bought a 55 Gallon tank for upstairs and am cycling that.  So far we are off to a good start there, but disaster is only a water change away I'm sure

Just wondering if we had any experts in here that I can chat with that may save me a trip to the local Pet Store.

[d0gma]

I took care of a friend's fish (and cat) one time many years ago when he and his wife went on vacation.  There were only a few fish in the 55 gal tank, one was a HUGE Jack Dempsey... so they're gone a week, the day before they're to return I go to their apartment to feed their fish and cat and... I'm sprinkling the food in the tank... hmm where's that Jack Dempsey?  Wow the cat sure looks fat and happy... what's that pile of bones on the floo... oh *&%#&^.

Man was he mad.  The Dempsey did have a tendency to try and jump out of the tank at times.


I used to have South American cichlids in a 20 gallon tank years ago ...  got bored with them though.

Ah yes, learned lessons:  Don't mix South American cichlids with African cichlids in a freshwater tank.  While the ensuing war of attrition is entertaining for a while, you always end up with many less fish than you started with.

I would definitely spend lots of time making friends with the pet store employees... they are an invaluable source of information.

[daddog]

We have done fish over the years. Feel free to call and pick my brain any time.

[forHIM]

I personally prefer to pull the fish out of a 10" hole in the middle of that vast white thing that covers the natural aquariums in the winter.  Then fillet them and usually fry them.  Although I also hear a good shore lunch can't be beat.

Why would anyone want 55 gals of liquid mere inches away from being spread throughout the entire room/house?  I guess in my house I'd have to build an iron case around it with about 1 inche holes.  Even then I think one of my 7 boys would find a way to spill / break it. 

[mrmidi]

Salt water aquarium is the best, "HIGH" maintenance but the beauty is unbeatable.

[Dichodog]

what you need to do is get a baby black bass, toss it in there, stop by the pet store on your way home for a dozen guppies, get home, throw them in the tank, and watch the fun

[skernsk]

Bass?  Them are boring fish.  Grab a nice 'Northern Pike' and get a topwater crankbait and now you've got a show!

forHIM, I know what you mean about 55gallons of disaster.  It took some convincing to get me to go for it.  Midi, I am nowhere close to dealing with a saltwater tank.  I will cut my teeth on the Tetra's and Cory's and one day try Saltwater.....

[MP Sarge]

When you clean affective tanks you need to do everything that will renter the new water. some things will go into suspension and come back when exposed to new water. starting it all over again.  For look get like 100 neon tetras, they are schooling fish and they look cool in a 55 gal tank. also when buy fish watch where fish stay in the tanks. some like top as do some bottom and middle of tank. Find non aggressive fish and buy them for each level. this way you don't have all the fish at one part of the tank. they will cover bottom to top. will look good,

I had 1 60 2 55's 4 20 longs and 2 30 gal high tanks. stuck them in a false wall and put picture frames around openings, so they look like living pictures. then i had big air filters and a system to clean the tanks all the time. I used to breed certain angel fish and some other good buying fish for the fish store i used to get my supplies from, did that for about 6 yrs till i had to move. then sold it all.
i had fresh water stingrays. electric catfish..lol and about as many fish the store would have, Used to buy 99 sent piranhas get them large enough and resale them to fish store for 12 bucks and he would sell them for 19. was a good way for extra change.

also never store water in plastic milk jugs. the plastic has a chem release and when it is in water it will kill the fish when you use it. also wait 24 hrs at least before filling water from evaporation. . water straight from the tap (city water that is) with the fluoride and chlorine they add will kill the fish..lol

[SunKing]

For about 10 years I had two salt water tanks. An aggresive tank and a docile tank. It took me a couple of months of research before I took the plunge. I got really good with all the techincal stuff , ie: PH balances, ect. Never lost a fish and learned exactly how to prep a tank.

Salt water tanks are incredible. You can sit in front of those for hours and just watch the activity, especailly in a docile tank with, coral,crustations and sea anemones. A tiny enclosed universe.

If you have any questions just ask.

[skernsk]

I am adding more fish today, water is showing no ammonia and slight Nitrite levels.  The kids like the different colors of the Tetra's so our 55 gallon tank will have a few different vatieties of Tetra's.  Here is the plan as it stands.  Sarge, Sunking, and whoever has knowledge please let me know if you see any problems.

8 Red Eye Tetras - in tank now
4 Head/Taillight Tetras - going in today
Cory - going in today

4 Orage Tetras - in second tank
1 Plecostamus - in second tank
2 Yo Yo Loaches - in second tank

These are going to be moved up in a couple weeks and then I am likely going to get one more school of Tetras.  So, in the end 4 different Tetras (of 8-10 in size) and the bottom feeders.

After that I will work on more stuff for the tank like plants and rocks.

[mrmidi]

Don't go overboard with the plant's, and be sure to find a slow growing plant, or you'll end up with a tank full of seaweed in a month