also, if you're into cichlids or carcacins you better learn latin names. Only a few instantly recogniseable CA/SA cichlids are called by common name here
How Did You Learn?
- Thread starter Dunbar
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also, if you're into cichlids or carcacins you better learn latin names. Only a few instantly recogniseable CA/SA cichlids are called by common name here
I had already been keeping fish for a good 10 years before joining this site, but honestly, the majority of what I now know about the hobby has come from MFK. I learned a lot of the basics of fish-keeping through my dad, who has kept fish since he was a kid. But being an oldschool keeper, the things he taught me were equal parts fact and myth (to this day, he still believes that "fish grow to the size of the enclosure" and that the "inch of fish per gallon of water" rule is an appropriate way to judge an aquarium's carrying capacity), so without MFK, I would probably still be putting oscars and pacu in 55 gallon tanks, doing 25% water changes once a month, and cleaning out filter cartridges with untreated tap water.
Hi and welcome! I agree with Pharaoh on this one. Read, read and read some more. Ask lots of questions and lear to use the search function to really dig in. At the end of the day, just try to take things slow and keep it fun.....it's a hobby after all.
Welcome to MFK and fish keeping. As you've already been told read, then ask questions, make mistakes, read more, ask more questions, make more mistakes and repeat for the rest of your life. Eventually some of it sinks in........Good luck!
Well you are off to a great start. Joining a (good) forum on the subject/hobby is one of the best ways to learn. This is a great forum. I dont post often but I check out this forum everyday.
The advice I can give you is get the biggest tank you can afford/fit into the intended spot. If you dont, you are going to upgrade little by little while wasting money and time trying to buy and sell to upgrade. Trust me I started w/ a 20gal then 60, 135, 180. At one point I had a 80gal, 135 and a 180 at the same time. I have since cut back to just a 135.
Also you want to learn about the equipment such as tanks, filtration and lighting and their pricing. When you go to a lfs talk to the owner/salesman and ask questions. If you know your stuff, you will find out which lfs are full of **** and want to stay away from and which ones you want to spend your money.
Good luck and enjoy this hobby.
The advice I can give you is get the biggest tank you can afford/fit into the intended spot. If you dont, you are going to upgrade little by little while wasting money and time trying to buy and sell to upgrade. Trust me I started w/ a 20gal then 60, 135, 180. At one point I had a 80gal, 135 and a 180 at the same time. I have since cut back to just a 135.
Also you want to learn about the equipment such as tanks, filtration and lighting and their pricing. When you go to a lfs talk to the owner/salesman and ask questions. If you know your stuff, you will find out which lfs are full of **** and want to stay away from and which ones you want to spend your money.
Good luck and enjoy this hobby.
:lipsseale"Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others"
Bismarck, Otto von
Thanks guys
Yeah I have a 5 and just got a 29. Gonna deck the 29 out (for a 29) since it is going to be in my apartment next year, then when I move back home for the summers once I have that place, I can leave just the tank there and bring my two sunnies home to a bigger tank at home. I am hoping to get a nice tank at home because my dad would be all about that haha.
And how is petco generally? I am considering applying there since I do need a job and the discounts would be nice for misc stuff
Yeah I have a 5 and just got a 29. Gonna deck the 29 out (for a 29) since it is going to be in my apartment next year, then when I move back home for the summers once I have that place, I can leave just the tank there and bring my two sunnies home to a bigger tank at home. I am hoping to get a nice tank at home because my dad would be all about that haha.
And how is petco generally? I am considering applying there since I do need a job and the discounts would be nice for misc stuff
Petco is hit or miss, moslty miss. Mine locally has good deals on tanks from time to time and they are the only place in town that carries NLS brand food, but every fish I've bought from petco has usually died, except for my rainbow shark which is around 6 or 7 years old now and healthy as can be.
"Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others"
Bismarck, Otto von
I guess you're right I'm not even close to being mistaken for a wise man.
"Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others"
Bismarck, Otto von
Then wisdom is grossly overrated, imho...
I'd say it's a good idea to learn the Latin names of all the fish you are interested in. This eliminates a lot of confusion, in many cases.
