Hi, I'm thinking about setting up a tropical fish tank. I've had them before but that was years ago, I'm just looking for tips to get started (how to cycle the tank etc.) Yes I've looked online but there are loads of different ways of doing things it's all a bit confusing! I just want to do it right. So are there any successful fishkeepers here who can help?....
Tropical fish
I was in your position about a year ago. I'd kept tropical back in the '90s, not very successfully, had stopped back then as it seemed unfair to keep having them die
I thought that with the vast range of expertise on the internet I'd be much more successful and did a fair bit of research, but in the end decided I didn't have the space or commitment to do it right for the fish (It seems my mistake back in the '90s was not cycling the water often enough)
Anyway the forums I was looking at were
tropicalfishforums.co.uk
thetropicaltank.co.uk
fishforums.net
There are fish keepers on DS, but you'd be better off perusing those fora IMHO.
My pond fish benefited from my research though
I thought that with the vast range of expertise on the internet I'd be much more successful and did a fair bit of research, but in the end decided I didn't have the space or commitment to do it right for the fish (It seems my mistake back in the '90s was not cycling the water often enough)
Anyway the forums I was looking at were
tropicalfishforums.co.uk
thetropicaltank.co.uk
fishforums.net
There are fish keepers on DS, but you'd be better off perusing those fora IMHO.
My pond fish benefited from my research though
The best way to cycle the tank is getting your filter media setup with nitrifying bacteria. You can buy it from a pet shop. You can cycle an empty tank with ammonia, but it's easier the usual way. Buy a decent testing kit and then follow the setup instructions for adding bacteria a new tank. After a couple of weeks start to add fish, but not too many at first and then test the water. If ammonia and nitrite are present, then don't add any more fish. Once the ammonia and nitrite have been converted to nitrate, then your tank is cycled. You can removed the nitrate with normal water changes, although make sure you treat it first with a tap safe solution.
The trick with aquariums that people often make is overstocking the tank, which means your nitrifying bacteria can't break down the fish waste quickly enough, which then makes the water toxic to them. Ammonia is the biggest killer as fish are highly sensitive to it, given it does not occur in their natural environment.
The trick with aquariums that people often make is overstocking the tank, which means your nitrifying bacteria can't break down the fish waste quickly enough, which then makes the water toxic to them. Ammonia is the biggest killer as fish are highly sensitive to it, given it does not occur in their natural environment.
Thanks a lot Vernon I will do just that 
another thing though which fish would be best to start with?
another thing though which fish would be best to start with?
Platy x2, guppy x3/4 are pretty hardy and a good stater for your tank. Steer clear of tetras for now as they do better in an established tank. If you do want a schooling fish, then look at 5 or 6 harlequin rasboras as they do OK from the off (all mine are still alive).
My current favourites are black swordtails. I have two males and they look stunning in my tank. You could look at these as a starter fish if you like, although I would recommend adding them a couple of weeks after the initial fish. Don't be tempted to fill it quickly, as you run the risk of having a tank full of dead or dying fish. Take your time and enjoy building it up slowly.
General rule of thumb is 1" of fish for every gallon of water, so for a 60L tank, it would be 15" of fish. It's not an exact science as I have more than that (I have 8 baby Platys that have appeared) and my tank is OK, but mine is running fine.
Later you can add some gourami, mollies, tetras and a bottom feeder such as a Cory. Steer clear of territorial fish and fin nippers though, particularly if you have a smaller tank. Whilst clown loaches look stunning, they get rather big, as do Pleco's. Tiger Barbs are fun, but they will aggravate the equilibrium of your aquarium. You could add a Betta aka a Siamese Fighting Fish, but these tend to do better in a dedicated tank. I have a zebra snail who is a prolific algae eater and a African dwarf frog in mine at the moment and they are interesting, although it give me a bit of a shock when the frog appeared from under the settee the other day, having escaped from the tank!
My current favourites are black swordtails. I have two males and they look stunning in my tank. You could look at these as a starter fish if you like, although I would recommend adding them a couple of weeks after the initial fish. Don't be tempted to fill it quickly, as you run the risk of having a tank full of dead or dying fish. Take your time and enjoy building it up slowly.
General rule of thumb is 1" of fish for every gallon of water, so for a 60L tank, it would be 15" of fish. It's not an exact science as I have more than that (I have 8 baby Platys that have appeared) and my tank is OK, but mine is running fine.
Later you can add some gourami, mollies, tetras and a bottom feeder such as a Cory. Steer clear of territorial fish and fin nippers though, particularly if you have a smaller tank. Whilst clown loaches look stunning, they get rather big, as do Pleco's. Tiger Barbs are fun, but they will aggravate the equilibrium of your aquarium. You could add a Betta aka a Siamese Fighting Fish, but these tend to do better in a dedicated tank. I have a zebra snail who is a prolific algae eater and a African dwarf frog in mine at the moment and they are interesting, although it give me a bit of a shock when the frog appeared from under the settee the other day, having escaped from the tank!
Lol at the frog 
I used to have 2 albino frogs, entertaining little fellas aren't they! Guppies and platys they breed like mad don't they? Have you ever had any experience with shrimp? I was thinking about getting one of them as an algae eater. (apologies if I'm doing your head in with all these questions )
I used to have 2 albino frogs, entertaining little fellas aren't they! Guppies and platys they breed like mad don't they? Have you ever had any experience with shrimp? I was thinking about getting one of them as an algae eater. (apologies if I'm doing your head in with all these questions )
If you don't have any kit yet it may be best to get a complete aquarium "set" (ie tank, stand, heater, filter, pump and lighting) so everything is matched and suitable.
In general it's easier to maintain a stable environment in a bigger tank (eg 3ft / 200 litres or more).
It also helps if you know whether your tap water is hard/alkaline or soft/acid, so you can choose appropriate fish and plant to start with.
I wouldn't worry too much about initial cycling - just put some plant in and wait a week before adding some hardy fish as already mentioned.
In general it's easier to maintain a stable environment in a bigger tank (eg 3ft / 200 litres or more).
It also helps if you know whether your tap water is hard/alkaline or soft/acid, so you can choose appropriate fish and plant to start with.
I wouldn't worry too much about initial cycling - just put some plant in and wait a week before adding some hardy fish as already mentioned.
I had a shrimp which I picked up a couple of months back, although a small one. We acclimatised him perfectly, introduced him to the tank and never saw him again the next day. Then again, I have had two guppies disappear without a trace as a kuli loach (although that is to be expected)
If you want an algae eater, then have a look at a zebra snail as they are prolific algae eaters, mine has stripped the tank completely of it. Should be easier to keep than a shrimp, although less interesting.
In a shop they usually keep male and females separate, so you should be OK there. You can ask for two platys of the same sex if you are bothered about them breeding, although I took a chance and we now have 8 mini platys swimming around with the rest of the fish, so I will need to get another tank for them, or give them away as I am fully stocked as it is without these adding to it.
The other thing I would recommend is getting sand instead of gravel as a substrate. It's easier to keep clean and kinder to the bottom feeding fish. Gravel is a pain as the detritus is difficult to remove, even with a decent siphon, but a breeze with sand.
If you want an algae eater, then have a look at a zebra snail as they are prolific algae eaters, mine has stripped the tank completely of it. Should be easier to keep than a shrimp, although less interesting.
In a shop they usually keep male and females separate, so you should be OK there. You can ask for two platys of the same sex if you are bothered about them breeding, although I took a chance and we now have 8 mini platys swimming around with the rest of the fish, so I will need to get another tank for them, or give them away as I am fully stocked as it is without these adding to it.
The other thing I would recommend is getting sand instead of gravel as a substrate. It's easier to keep clean and kinder to the bottom feeding fish. Gravel is a pain as the detritus is difficult to remove, even with a decent siphon, but a breeze with sand.
@Kempshott yes I'm going to get a complete set. So will I have to test the water before adding the first few fish?
@Vernon Yes I'm definately gonna get sand it looks so much better I think. Thanks for all your advice, you have been a huge help
Originally Posted by BadLadAsh:
“@Kempshott yes I'm going to get a complete set. So will I have to test the water before adding the first few fish?”
“@Kempshott yes I'm going to get a complete set. So will I have to test the water before adding the first few fish?”
Yes - and regularly thereafter.
I think lack of testing is what did for my fish back in the day - I now realise a short 'spike' in levels of ammonia or nitrate can be fatal, but levels can quickly drop again so its easy to miss if you don't test frequently.
Originally Posted by kempshott:
“...I wouldn't worry too much about initial cycling - just put some plant in and wait a week before adding some hardy fish as already mentioned.”
“...I wouldn't worry too much about initial cycling - just put some plant in and wait a week before adding some hardy fish as already mentioned.”
Hmmm - this is very much frowned upon now as effectively those 'hardy' fish are on the verge of asphyxiation. Better to mature your filter medium over a much longer period - it can take months but it is cruelty free.
Originally Posted by Shrike:
“Yes - and regularly thereafter.
I think lack of testing is what did for my fish back in the day - I now realise a short 'spike' in levels of ammonia or nitrate can be fatal, but levels can quickly drop again so its easy to miss if you don't test frequently.”
“Yes - and regularly thereafter.
I think lack of testing is what did for my fish back in the day - I now realise a short 'spike' in levels of ammonia or nitrate can be fatal, but levels can quickly drop again so its easy to miss if you don't test frequently.”
This is what I'm most worried about it sounds too complicated.
I've heard that many simply get a piece of somebody else's filter sponge and put it in with your own filter sponge .... and bob's your uncle ...apparently. !
Originally Posted by BadLadAsh:
“This is what I'm most worried about it sounds too complicated.”
“This is what I'm most worried about it sounds too complicated.”
Its not too bad - you need to find a decent fish stockist who can help you out at the start. A good stockist will test the water for you so you can be sure you're doing it right. Again this is where the more specialist forums will help as they will have threads on the best shops in certain areas.
Another thing though - if you don't 'stock to the limit' then the problems are vastly reduced. Perhaps just keep the tank at half its maximum stock for a few months - or even forever as you don't have to keep as many as you can (tempting as it is, once you get started
)
This is the test kit I recommend. It's very accurate.
In terms of water treatment, get Prime
It's difficult to find in the UK, but I've never had a problem since using it. It removes chlorine from tap water and detoxifies nitrate in an emergency if you get a spike. It's not the cheapest, but you get loads and a 250ml bottle is enough to treat 10000L of water, so will last ages. Just 1ml needed for a 30% water change in a average tank.
In terms of water treatment, get Prime
It's difficult to find in the UK, but I've never had a problem since using it. It removes chlorine from tap water and detoxifies nitrate in an emergency if you get a spike. It's not the cheapest, but you get loads and a 250ml bottle is enough to treat 10000L of water, so will last ages. Just 1ml needed for a 30% water change in a average tank.
Strange - a couple of posts about Axolotls have disappeared
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...
Originally Posted by Shrike:
“Strange - a couple of posts about Axolotls have disappeared
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...”
“Strange - a couple of posts about Axolotls have disappeared
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...”
Where did they go?
Originally Posted by Shrike:
“Strange - a couple of posts about Axolotls have disappeared
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...”
“Strange - a couple of posts about Axolotls have disappeared
I was quite interested to know if they could be kept with fish...”
The Axolotls will slowly pick off the fish. Some fast moving, temperate species like Danios or Mountain Minnows might survive though. Avoid things like snails and corydoras if you do decide to mix them though, the Axolotls will try to swallow them and could suffocate.
In my experiece black widows are hardy . Neon tetras are not. Even with my established tank my neons do not do well while the others do great. Bristle nose plec s are great but they do grow and live for a long time compared to other fish
Originally Posted by Nat28:
“In my experiece black widows are hardy . Neon tetras are not. Even with my established tank my neons do not do well while the others do great. Bristle nose plec s are great but they do grow and live for a long time compared to other fish”
“In my experiece black widows are hardy . Neon tetras are not. Even with my established tank my neons do not do well while the others do great. Bristle nose plec s are great but they do grow and live for a long time compared to other fish”
Black widow spider!?
lol I didn't know there were black widow fish.
Black widow tetra, I assume.
Black neons are pretty hardy too.
If you go for a hard water setup then you could have Black mollys
Hard water fish are probably easier to keep than soft water, but tend to be a bit less spectacular and there are fewer species available but its something else to think about.
Black neons are pretty hardy too.
If you go for a hard water setup then you could have Black mollys
Hard water fish are probably easier to keep than soft water, but tend to be a bit less spectacular and there are fewer species available but its something else to think about.
