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Lauren B.
02-03-2007, 12:19 AM
Hi there folks,
My name is Lauren B. and I'm thinking about starting an aquarium. I'm very much a novice (I had a small 2.5 gal tank about 15 years ago), so I was hoping some of you might be able to give me advice. I have limited space in which to keep the aquarium, so I was considering a desktop 5 gallon kit. The kit I have my eye on is the Aqua Tech 5 which has a watermill wheel-type of aerator and a replaceable filter that looks somewhat like a puffy pot/pan scrubber (sorry about the descriptions...I told you I was a novice!). I did download and read the free e-book from this site, but I do need some input, so anyone who's got advice please feel free to chime in!


How much gravel should I purchase? The pretty purple gravel that I liked the most cost nearly $5 for a very small bag (3 or 4 lbs., I think it was), and I didn't want to waste my bucks so I thought I'd ask. The tank appears to be mostly square-ish from the front view, and thinner on the side view...sorry, I don't have exact dimensions.

What type of fish would be best? I'm thinking of a community fish, very small in size....like neon tetras perhaps?....whereas I can have a small school, instead of larger fish where I'd be limited to just one or two. Also (which is very important), I really do not want any babies! So aside from the few that have obvious gender-related color differences, can fish be sexed?

What food do you recommend? There is such an enormous variety, of which I would normally buy standard flake, but I see there are crisps (they're advertised as being cleaner), and the e-book also mentioned the use of freeze-dried food. Are there brands that are superior to others? Also, how much would I feed a small school of teeny-weeny fish?

I would love any and all opinions.
Thanks again!
Lauren B. :1luvu:

jeffs99dime
02-03-2007, 12:30 AM
hello lauren. welcome to a.c. you've come to the right place! in a tank of 5 gallons you're probably going to be able to house 4-5 neons, maybe 6. as with all fish, you're going to want to purchase a few different types of food to give them a varied diet. flake foods, freeze dried blood worms, veggies. personnaly, i prefer the omega 1 line of foods. there really is a variety to choose from. as far as gravel, (also referred to as substrate) goes one bag (5lbs)to 1-1/2 bags should be plenty for your tank.
**by the way, i like the way you set up your post in this thread! very professional. good job:thumb:

AquaQueen
02-03-2007, 01:11 AM
Hello Lauren B., Welcome to AC:thumb:

Yes some fish can be sexed...Mollies, Sword Tails your LPS(local pet store) should be able to help you with info on which ones you can sex. If you tell them you don't want babies they usually are good with that.

In my own experience I don't like to have too much gravel so I would go for the 5lbs and if I felt I needed more I'd buy it afterwards. I think that should be fine for a 5gal tank.

As for the food Jeff hit that one right on the head.

Nice to meet you and I hope you like our Forum.

cocoa_pleco
02-03-2007, 01:37 AM
welcome.

take jeffs and paulies advice. nothin i can add

dishmando
02-03-2007, 01:44 AM
welcome form another noob on this forum.

The only bit of advice i could possibly throw in would be "fishless cycling"

look it up. If u follow my few posts since ive been here, you'll see im losing a few fish as my tank is almost done cycling.


cheers
MN

Abbeys_Mom
02-03-2007, 02:13 AM
Welcome to the forum :)

If you want to avoid fry, stay away from live bearers. Guppies, Platies, Mollies, Swords and Endler's. Have just male doesn't work well, they fight. Females are generally pre-pregnated when you buy them and will have babies for 7 months without having a male in the tank.

Severus
02-03-2007, 04:25 AM
Welcome to AC

Incredulous_Ed
02-03-2007, 04:53 AM
Welcome to ac
If you are keeping neons, you need to have soft water

crackatinny
02-03-2007, 08:03 AM
Welcome to AC:thumb:

Lady Hobbs
02-03-2007, 11:39 AM
Welcome to AC and hope you enjoy the site here.

Sin
02-03-2007, 12:14 PM
Hi lauren welcome to AC! :thumb: