Anyone mind helping me with my first setup?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Yeah, that sounds about right. Buy a gravel vacuum (not expensive) and a new five-gallon bucket. Do 25 percent water changes about every two weeks. The gravel vacuum will clean your gravel and remove water at the same time. I'd clean the filter only once a month, though. Do it on one of the weeks that you're not changing the water.

You should either match the temp of the water going in or let it sit and get to room temp before adding it to the tank. And don't forget dechlorinator -- Prime is a good one that also removes Chloramine.
 
Alright, sounds good to me. I do have another question. Sigh, I know right? Well, I was just wondering about the fish. When I finally do get to the stage of going to purchase them and getting them all at home etc. I'm worried about the gender. Should I get all males / females? I wouldn't think so but what would I do when they breed. If I had 7 in my tank already then it would get cramped real fast.
 
Hi buddy i know you seem to have your heart set on the 20g but i would seriously look at the classifieds on here and craigslist because you will soon realise that you want a bigger tank,which you could have from the start if you check the ads.
Also with a bigger tank your range of possible fish grows as the tank size does.


Good luck.


Steve
 
Just throwing this out there:

A 20g with 10 tiger barbs and a black background would look very nice.
 
Yes it would but a 30g or 40g for the same price would look better:D:popcorn:


steve
 
Get what ever size tank you want and can afford. The size you are talking about is a good starter. You can always upgrade later if you want. Also you should try going to some local fish stores (not petco or walmart) and just browse their fish. They will ususally have more unusual fish than the large chains. Just make sure when you see something you like that you go home and research it to make sure you know what the fish will need as they grow and that it will fit into your set up.
Good luck with everything and Welcome!
 
Thanks for the input guys. I was just talking to my uncle to see if I can get his tank that he no longer uses. Its a fairly large tank if I remember, about 30g so that would be amazing.
 
Good luck. :)

Do what's right for you. If you come across a fish you like, don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
If I were you I would purchase an ancistris (busy nose catfish) rather than a Pleco. They are much smaller and do a much better job at tank cleaning.

:eek:

IMG_2744.JPG
 
welcome to mfk!

I have to agree with the craigslist stuff. I have bought bargin tanks all day long from there, you could get a bigger tank with the filter lights gravel vac and etc for cheaper then a brand new 20 gallon. I would also look at exodons , they are little tetra fish that have teeth. Basically the "legal" pirannah. Except i think they are cooler than pirannahs. And no you dont have to wait for the tank to cycle , buy a product called BIO SPIRA. have your tank set up and when you go to buy your fish , get this stuff. Just before you toss the fish in there , dose the tank with bio spira , then add fish immediatly. It will cycle your tank instantly! :)

you still can do plecos , just a smaller species. But please remember they are only effective at small sizes. Once they get bigger they poop long strands all over your tank , more so than they eat alge. Mine started to eat my smaller fish lol

please watch this video.... these are exodons that you could do in a 20 gallon. They are awsome to watch and feed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIGLhV4ClVI
 
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