First Aquarium Questions

[Yelhsa8642]

Hi! I'm new to the fish world and will be getting my first aquarium soon. I'm looking at either a 29-30 gallon tank or a 55 gallon tank. Fish I am interested are: Swordtails, Cardinal and Neon Tetras, Siamese Flying Fox, Golden Lyretail Panchax Killifish, Gold Gourami, Zebra Danio, Tiger Barbs, Gold Veil Angelfish, Fuelleborni Cichlid Orange Blossom, and Electric Yellow African Cichlids. Any advice would greatly appreciated!

Questions
1. Which size tank would be better to start with?
2. Are any of these fish compatible? I would like a community tank with a nice variety.
3. What is the best way to cycle a tank? I want to do a fishless cycle.
4. How long should a tank cycle before adding fish?
5. Is it better to use live plants or plastic?
6. Is it okay to have a couple of snails and freshwater clams in the tank?

[zackish]

Ok, I do not have my fishtank yet but just from what I have read I can offer you my thoughts if you are looking for a quick response.

First off, after you choose what size tank there is a bunch of articles here and on other sites about fishless cycling. From what I understand if you do it efficiently and accurately you will be able to have fish in about a month.

Now to answer some of your other questions.
I plan on getting a fish tank and a few months and I am going smaller (29 gallon) just because its my first real tank that I am going to put effort into and take care of. I think the bigger the tank the more work, so it being your first tank you may want to take it easy.

Secondly, I read that you would like a community tank which is what I am shooting for as well. Some of those fish you listed from what I have read wouldn't be best for a community tank. I know off-hand barbs and cichlids are semi-aggressive so you may not want them in there.

That's about all I have to offer, hopefully someone can come and help you out a lot more. All I can say is read as much as you can, over the last few weeks I have been surfing the net on fish supplies and information that way I can know as much as possible when it comes time to buy my new tank. The only reason why I don't have a fish tank yet is because I am being forced to upgrade my turtles tank which is going to cost me about $120 with the new filter, tank hood, blah blah blah

[cocoa_pleco]

1. 55g, more stable environment and room to work with
2. Cichlids arent community, generally livebearers and other community fish work well
3. fishless cycle with pure ammonia, though with a 55g platys or danios will work since it isnt too hard on them in large tanks
4. When all your levels are fine, like ammonia/nitrite/nitrate
5. Live, it allows for overstocking and looks better
6. if you have live plants, some snails are a nightmare, but some work. clams are fine too

[NeonJulie]

4 Years ago we started with what everyone recommended was an ideal size, 29g. Go as large as you can afford, right? Well... I'll just say that it's not by accident that the tank I have now, is a 12g. I now know my limitations in term of handling and maintenance. No sand. Half the size. Mostly fake plants (I threw in some floaters yesterday to help with nitrates, but I'm definitely not a plant person.)

I can do water maintenance on this tank in 5-15 minutes, and I enjoy taking care of it. It's just the perfect size - for me. I have a beautiful selection of fish, and it's not a burden at all.

But it's a decision you'll have to make. Nowadays pythons and other systems make water maintenance easier than it used to be, especially on large tanks. But you might find that you spend a TON of money on the large one, and the hobby burns you out after 2 years. That's what happened to me. In fact, the only reason I got a 12g at all, was because I originally wanted a Betta, but everyone told me if I did a 10g, the water would be much easier. I'd still like to get a betta, in a 5g - but there's no multi-tank syndrome here. I have no desire to get back my old 29g, and definitely not care for something as large as my bathtub, IMO.

It all adds up to what you think you can reasonably handle. But if you've never had a tank before, you might be in for somewhat a surprise.

[hungryhound]

Questions
1. Which size tank would be better to start with?

The larger tank will be more stable but will require more work. The 29 gallon will require a little less maintenance but you have to be more vigilant with your water changes and parameters as they will go out of whack quicker in this tank. Ultimately the choice is up to you, but it will depend greatly on some of the other choices you make.

If you decide to go with the cichlids then you probably want to go with the 55 gallon as they are fiercely territorial


2. Are any of these fish compatible? I would like a community tank with a nice variety.

The tetras, siamese, zebra danio and swordtails are for sure. They might also be compatible with the gourami.

Cichlids are much more complex and you would be wise to do a fair amount of research before you mix and match them.

3. What is the best way to cycle a tank? I want to do a fishless cycle.

Fishless cycling or biospira. (the only additive that i have found that works)

4. How long should a tank cycle before adding fish?
cycles can take as short as a week to as long as 6 weeks.

5. Is it better to use live plants or plastic?

That depends on you. I personally prefer live plants but they are more work than the fish. Please read chronas plant guide in the plants section for more information.

Live plants will most likely drive up the cost of your tank as well. You may need to buy a bigger light, special substrate and inject co2 to get them to grow properly.

Live plants are a personal choice and I throughly suggest that you do a lot of reading on the maintenance and set up of a planted tank before jumping into it.


6. Is it okay to have a couple of snails and freshwater clams in the tank?

Snails and clams are fine. If you decide to get live plants then you will need to make sure that the sails that you choose do not eat plants.


Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

[NWMountainTroll]

Go with the 55g. You will increase your fish options and at the same time reduce the frequency of your maintenance. Sure you will have to do larger water changes, but you will have to do them less. Plus, it sucks to deal with "I can't get that fish cuz my tank isn't big enough".

[Lady Hobbs]

I would also go with the 55. You can always add a 30 gallon later. You need to go with cichlids that are compatible or community but not mix them together. Also.......NO goldfish with community fish!!!

Cycling your tank first is the first and most important step you take. The smaller tanks get more toxic due to more consentration of the water. With a 55 you can cycle with a small amount of fish or go the fishless route. It will take only about 2 weeks if you go fishless and still faster than using fish.