Total Newbie

[Swayde]

I have been researching and considering buying my first real fish tank for several months now and the more I research, the more I think about it, the more I am sure this is something I wish to do =)

My fish experience is limited to bettas basically and the small comet goldfish I had living in a plastic shoebox for almost 2 years named Tiger. My betta (well technically my son's but he was only 5) also lived to almost 2 years and I really had no clue how to take care of the fish in either case.

I have 1 dog currently, but I've taken care of many other pets including dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and iguanas.

Anyhow. I am 30 years old. My son is now 11 years old and even though I am sure he will enjoy watching the fish, the aquarium will be mine. I may at some point let him get his own for his bedroom if all goes well with mine. I am a housewife and a homeschool mom so I have plenty of time to care for and enjoy my fish. I live in Florida =)

I am most likely going to get a 29-gallon tank. I don't really have room for anything bigger at this time and living in a mobile home would be fearful of the weight of anything much larger.

I will be going with a freshwater tropical fish tank. I am still undecided on exactly what type of fish I will go for, but I would prefer to keep smaller colorful fish.

I also would like to have some live plants in the tank because I think it would be more attractive and fun. I will probably go for the simplest type to start off with.

I will likely begin shopping for the tank and necessary hardware this week so that I can begin the cycling process.

I am open to any suggestions and/or advice you can offer. I have been seeing a lot of people suggesting having 2 types of schooling fish and then maybe a pair of something else and some type of catfish (I would like sometype of "sucker fish" per my son's request and I think I'd also like a snail or two because I think some are pretty and neat looking.)

I definitely want a community tank. For appearance sake I like fish like bettas, guppies, angelfish, even though I know they may not be the most practical for me so some similar types may be better.

[jeffs99dime]

welcome to a.c.

[Abbeys_Mom]

Welcome to the forum :)

[cocoa_pleco]

welcome to ac:1:

[Lady Hobbs]

Welcome. Altho you are a newbie, I see you have checked on a very important aspect of fish keeping and that's fishless cycling. Kudo's to you. You have made your very first smart decision.

[nikipate]

Welcome to the forum... there is a lot of great information here and like Hobbs said you have made a great start by understanding the need for cycling. For a colorful tank, I really like some of the tetras. Good luck and post some pics when ya get 'em.

[Severus]

Welcome to AC

[Swayde]

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I am looking forward to sharing pics and stories in the near future =) I will likely ask many questions as well!

[sushant]

Welcome to AC:22:

[kimmers318]

Welcome to AC and another big kudos for researching before jumping in!!!
A 29 gallon tank in my opinion is a very nice starter size. Eclipse makes a nice set up with filter and biowheel under the hood which really simplifies things, the only drawback is the lighting can't really be updated and is kinda low for most plants. Check out some information on planting tanks to see what kind of lighting you will need.
Various tetras come in many colors and are nice and active, cory cats make a nice addition for the bottom. As for sucker type fish, be cautious, alot get way too big for a tank if you are referring to the plecos. There are many types of plecos that stay small and most of your LFS can special order something so keep that in mind.
Also, if you want to go with any type of bottom feeder your substrate is very important as they have whiskers and are constantly "snuffling" thru the substrate so you will want a small round gravel or sand substrate. Sand, for me is easier, but not everyone feels that way, and there are many types of small round gravel available.
Good luck and keep us posted how things go.

[I love Pufferfish]

Welcome to A.C.

[Swayde]

Welcome to AC and another big kudos for researching before jumping in!!!
A 29 gallon tank in my opinion is a very nice starter size. Eclipse makes a nice set up with filter and biowheel under the hood which really simplifies things, the only drawback is the lighting can't really be updated and is kinda low for most plants. Check out some information on planting tanks to see what kind of lighting you will need.
Various tetras come in many colors and are nice and active, cory cats make a nice addition for the bottom. As for sucker type fish, be cautious, alot get way too big for a tank if you are referring to the plecos. There are many types of plecos that stay small and most of your LFS can special order something so keep that in mind.
Also, if you want to go with any type of bottom feeder your substrate is very important as they have whiskers and are constantly "snuffling" thru the substrate so you will want a small round gravel or sand substrate. Sand, for me is easier, but not everyone feels that way, and there are many types of small round gravel available.
Good luck and keep us posted how things go.

I do want a planted aquarium, but not heavily. I guess somewhere about 40-50%. I'm currently in the process of researching which types of plants will be easiest to care for and will go with lightning from there. I have not tested my water yet at all, ever, but I am almost positive it is hard water.

I like the looks of the neon and cardinal tetras, very pretty.

For the "sucker fishy" I am thinking that a few Otocinclus would be a good idea since they seem to stay small and I like the way they look.

I think my brain is getting a tad bit overwhelmed at the moment. All the chemical properties and scientific names for stuff and it just seems like a lot of information to digest.

I plan to go to a few local shops this week. My goals will be to get the actual tank and stand, hood, light, filter, heater, and test kits at the very least. I also plan to take a pad and pen with me and make note of the fish that are available that I like so I can research and plan more specifically what I want. I also know that locally there isn't much variety of plants available, so I will also take a look at what's there and figure out what I can support.

I figure I will buy the gravel or whatever else is recommended for my plant choices when I go to purchase the plants and any other decorations I decide to get like logs and stuff. I want a natural-ish looking tank.

Then I'll work on getting the plants established and hopefully my tank will then be ready to start introducing some fishies to their new home...

[Incredulous_Ed]

Welcome to AC!!!