n00b Kids on the Block

[mybugaloo]

I love aquariums, I love fish. Always have. I have had tanks my whole life. Not as COOL as any of the tanks I have seen here, (yes I am puckering up) and not as big. For about 10yrs I have had a five foot aquarium. Unfortunately It has sat in the garage for the past 3yrs. I have always wanted to set it up “The right way” , refill, and enjoy. But the dimensions of it have made it rather challenging. See SAMPLE photo below

Now for the cold hard truth (knees shaking) I am a n00b. I know the bare basics of tanks, filters, fish, etc. I try to read about it as much as I can, and for the most part I can get by. I have thumbed thru the galleries, TOTM photos, POTM photos, and all the posts and I have been INSPIRED!! (Insert flying angels, spotlight and harp music here)

With that said we must address the giant elephant in the middle of the room, the economy, my budget, or lack of, and time. All limited. Just consider me the trailer trash, single wide, axel still attached n00b Kid on the Block. I’ve moved in. To the Cadillac Keepers, the ones with the most unbelievable $$$ beautiful tank, if I offend you with my sad little tetras, I apologize now. If something in my tank ends up not being organic, I apologize now.

However, I promise this to you all: no cheesy toys, artifacts, or backdrops. I will do my best to make you all proud. I welcome all help and suggestions and most likely will post many questions as well. (No, not the look it up yourself you lazy bum type of questions)

So in closing I would like to say hello to all, thanks for letting me a part of your world (Ok the last of my cheeze) I am off to the hardware store. I have a great Idea for my décor of the tank. I will keep you all posted and add photos as I go.

Mybugaloo

p.s. please be patient, be kind rewind and don’t pick on the n00bie

 

[Retuks]

you know, there are many newbs here that none of us mind. but you just launched a giant nuclear boomerang at yourself...

im still a newb . but we are equal and need not be treated like Aztec fish gods in need of appeasing.

welcome to mfk. there will be no way around the mistakes you will make and the lessons you learn as a fish keeper. so just be willing to accept that if you stay here, you will run into countless problems, and you will become enlightened time and time again and forever increase your knowledge of fishkeeping, and that you will gain the MFKer's 6th sense to hate the irresponsible and to respect the educated, learn and grow.

end result, you will be an excellent fish keeper as opposed to 90% of aquarium owners who are fish killers. seeing as to how you chose monster fish keepers, perhaps you even have an appetite for destruction . destruction under control, mind you... XD.

 

[mybugaloo]

Retuks,


Thanks for the welcome and the tips as well, mentally noted. I know that the way to most peoples heart is thru thier stomache but since that won't work here, I figured a lil humor wouldn't hurt. I came here after searching a few other sites and found this place more attractive. I hope to learn, not to make too many mistakes, and one day make it to ranks of a true MFKer.

Humble regards and Big thanks,
Mybugaloo

 

[seaofdreams]

Welcome to the family, I'm also a n00b, a FISHLESS n00b at that, haha. Wow, that tank makes for a bit of a problem, although it would make for one awesome Discus or Angel tank, they seem to like the height. OR you could get all handy and find a way to get it lying in its side perhaps?

 

[ani-mal-lvr]

Welcome aboard!!!!

that is really an interestin lookin tank, What are the dimensions of it?

 

[Eric A]

G'day.

I have to ask, is that tank really yours? And is it really 5' tall? Because that thing must of cost a fortune to buy, and must be a pita to maintain.

If your getting back into the hobby, i'd reccomend you go out and buy a simple rectangular tank. They are not that costly, and easily available at your lfs (local fish shop if you don't already know the lingo). I'd say your best size tank would be a 55gal, or a standard 4' tank. They are larger, so it gives you a little leeway incase you make a mistake on day, and should be big enough to house the many fish you so desire to keep.

Then, you can build or buy a stand. I'm guessing that since this is in the DIY section, you want to let your creative juices flow, so why not build one? Also a canopy if you so desire.

Get a filter. What type depends on what size aquarium you get. If it is a 55gal or above, get an external canister filter. If it is less, get an internal power filter. Just ask your LFS, they should help you a lot.

Then, once you have got all your equipment, and your tank is cycled, time for you to get your new fish!

Here are a few things you may want to do a search on and read up about.
- Cycling Aquriums and how the cycle works
- How to properly maintain a tank
- What maintainance needs to be done on what basis
- What setup is best for you

And as always, feel free to ask questions any time you feel neccessary!

Eric

 

[mybugaloo]

Thank you for all the great welcome aboard, I feel so warm and fuzzy now I think I am going to like it here.

Eric, you asked if that tank was really mine? Actually the photo is a stock sample one, it is not mine. But mine is almost identical, except for the base. The top of the tank is identical (black lid 1ft) and the actual tank (water filled) it self measures 4ft tall, the base of my tank is 1ft tall black (the same as the top portion) and the diameter of the tank is only 11 in octagon shaped. It stands a total of 6ft tall when fully assembled.

As far as the fortune goes, I got really lucky I picked it up about 10 yrs ago at a 2nd hand shop for $50.00. The worst part is my mom got the big beautiful 6ft black lacquered one that had the 3ft bubble in front and she never installed it, left it in her backyard to rot. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of it.

Whenever I have had my tank up the maintenance wasn’t that bad. I would get a small green algee spot on the acrylic where the filter was. I usually used a cup or glass cleaner (the sponges on a stick) to clean it up. My problem was it just looked soooo empty because it is hard to find decor that’s 4ft tall.

I definitely have some concerns about filtration, the lid comes down about 4 inches past the top of the tank is it is difficult to hang anything of the edge. The lid does have a small tray in it to hold a filter but it is about the size of a soap dish. That is going to be one of my 1st research projects. I will definitely look into your suggestions and do some reading.


thanx a million

J

 

[chemicall]

A cool tank like that deserves a sump for filtration. If you could hide it somewhere....

Or build a mini version of that tower for the sump. Load the sump up nice and stand them side by side. would be super cool and probably a first!!!

 

[Ramcharger]

Is it glass or acrylic? I have a 150 gall that is 2x2x5' tall you can drill it if is the latter and use a bulkhead and plumb a cannister filter in to it

 

[mybugaloo]

It is an acrylic tank. The problem is that the lid is 2 pieces, 1st piece slides 4 inches down the tank(like a sleeve) and only has about 3/4 inch gap on each side. The 2nd piece fits right on top like a frying pan lid, it has a switch on it and houses the light and the only way to feed.
This tank is set up with an underground/gravel filtration system, but at 4ft deep I would need to hook up a electric leaf blower to be totally efficient. I am thinking of setting it up the way I used to have it. Broke it down into 2 tanks: bottom 2 feet get the underground and the top 2 feet gets a submerged (small ). together this should do the trick or at least I hope lol.