patinthehat's 50g journey

[patinthehat]

Well since i figured i am starting from scratch and a complete noob, i would completely document my whole project from begging until whenever. I have always wanted to have an aquarium since i was a kid but i never got one. So now im gonna have one! I plan on starting with a freshwater then eventually adding a saltwater.

I have found a 50g aquarium w/ stand for a really good price here in town. It is suppose to be leak free. The owner decided it was too big for him after he bought it so he is selling it. The owner said the acrylic needs resurfacing so i am thinking about getting the Lifegard Aquatics Acrylic Scratch Removal Kit 72000. I am suppose to be picking up the tank on Thursday. But my setup so far is going to be:

50g acrylic tank w/ stand
Aqueon Submersible 200w Heater
Hagen Fluval 205 Canister Filter
Air Pump w/ 4 outputs

I did some research and all of these products have some pretty decent reviews. The biggest piece of advice i keep hearing is you get what you pay for when it comes to this hobby. But i have plenty of more research to keep doing and questions to ask and answers to find. So Thursday starts my journey! Feel free to comment, criticize, etc. I know we learn from mistakes but i want to keep them at a minimal lol.

[MLBfan]

Do you know what kind of fish you are gonna put in?

[patinthehat]

I am thinking about starting with some Zebra Danios.

[Fisher_Zeb]

Are you cycling the tank with or without fish?
Are you having a planted tank?

Also depending on your future stock you might want to re consider Danios. I started off with Danios to cycle my tank and they did nip my angels even though they was in a good group.

[patinthehat]

Are you cycling the tank with or without fish?
Are you having a planted tank?

Also depending on your future stock you might want to re consider Danios. I started off with Danios to cycle my tank and they did nip my angels even though they was in a good group.

I don't have anything up and running right now. Picking up the tank thursday and i have to refinish the acrylic on it. But once i get ready, i was thinking about cycling the tank without fish in it. As far as the plants go, im still doing research. from what i can tell there are so many different things you can do as far as gravel, sand, plants, etc. so not entirely sure yet. I do think i want real plants though. I was considering the Danios because they are good starter fish. Don't really want to kill anything lol. But i want to take my time an do everything right from the beginning so i dont have problems down the road.

[MCHRKiller]

Looking forward to seeing another 50G acrylic on the board

[Fishin Phil]

But i want to take my time an do everything right from the beginning so i dont have problems down the road.

Hooray!

You are already many steps ahead of the average first time aquarium keeper.
You'll do fine.

[kurly]

I encourage you to do a fishless cycle. Less stress on both you and your fish...There is a sticky on here that explains exactly how to do it.

Looking forward to watching your progress on your first tank

[patinthehat]

I encourage you to do a fishless cycle. Less stress on both you and your fish...There is a sticky on here that explains exactly how to do it.

Looking forward to watching your progress on your first tank

I ready the sticky and I def think that sounds like a great way to do it. Looking forward to getting started thursday!

[Goes to 11!]

Hooray!

You are already many steps ahead of the average first time aquarium keeper.
You'll do fine.

+1

Miles ahead I'd say, And not only the first time keepers.