Shea, New to the scene [Archive]

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Shea

01-04-2009, 05:02 AM

Well where do I start.....

My name is Shea. I recently purchase a 10gal tank with the works. I have been on various forums asking questions and have done HOURS upon HOURS of research to get where I am today.

I have been wanting to try something new and exciting for a while now so I began to look into aquariums. I purchased a starter kit with all necessary equipment (filters, pump, cover, lights etc). I was leaning towards a tropical tank so I bought all the necessary equipment (heater, artificial plants, gravel, thermometer, API freshwater master testing kit, etc..)

The tank has been set-up and running (fishless) for about 2-3 weeks. NOTE: I am not doing a fishless cycle. I just been doing some heavy research to make sure I'm doing everything right the first time around as I tend to be a perfectionist. This is my very first tank... I didn't have any knowledge what so ever coming into this hobby. Not only has it been very fun and informative along the way but it has given me a great sense of accomplishment as well.

I think I have finally found the aquarium forum I have been looking for:19:

Anywho here's a pic of the tank as is right now.

Thanks for looking!
-Shea
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Northernguy

01-04-2009, 05:08 AM

Hey Shea! Welcome to the Fabulous AC!:22:
Thats a nice tank!
Here is a great read on fishless cycling.[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
I also recomend the free E-book on the left side of the page.

Shea

01-04-2009, 05:26 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome :)

I appreciate the article as well. Very informative. One can never stop learning.

I'm picking up 3 neon tetra's this weekend to get the cycle going. I'm really excited to be getting the fish. It has been a long time coming.

Northernguy

01-04-2009, 05:34 AM

Patience and a proper cycle are most important!:22:

Shea

01-04-2009, 05:54 AM

I have plenty of patience and I'm really motivated.

I have read article upon article and threads upon threads about cycling. IMO its single handily the most important step in the aquarium's development. Its the topic i have researched most about within the past month. I'm actually looking forward to do itthumbs2:

sandy_n

01-04-2009, 07:05 AM

Hi Shea and welcome to AC. Nice little tank...do you know what kind of fish you want?

Shea

01-04-2009, 07:12 AM

Hi Shea and welcome to AC. Nice little tank...do you know what kind of fish you want?

3 neon tetra's
3 black phantom tetra's
2 ghost shrimp

2 concerns........

1) The neons and phantoms are schooling fish that are recommended to be put into schools of at least 5.

2) Worried that the phantoms are going to nip/eat the shrimp

As far as the schooling is concerned i "think" I may be ok, we'll see. Now if the ghost shrimp dont last I think I'm going to either toss in 2 more phantoms. 2 more neons OR get a crawfish.

korith

01-04-2009, 08:31 AM

troy

01-04-2009, 03:53 PM

Welcome to AC!

Shea

01-04-2009, 04:57 PM

Hi welcome to the site.

If you can get some low lying plant or other spots for the shrimp to hide out, they should be ok. The neons shouldn't bother them, not sure about the other tetra. Also you can add in a lot more than just 2 ghost shrimp, I would get 5-10 of them.

If you're not going to do a fishless cycle, you might want to get some biospira to help get the cycle going. Neons aren't very hardy and cyling with them would most likely kill them off.

Yea after some further discussion in another thread I'm not going to go with the Neon Tetra's to begin my cycle.

I'm not going to do a fishless cycle.

Thanks for the advice on the low lying plants, that never even crossed my mind.

Brookfish

01-04-2009, 05:00 PM

Great looking tank Shea, welcome to AC.thumbs2:

Shea

01-04-2009, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the warm welcomes. This forum is what I have been looking for!