New to everything

[AKBlueJacks]

Welcome to the forum and hobby. One bit of advise that I would like to share is a very effective shortcut to cycling a tank. My first experience in the hobby was not very successful and didn’t last long. Unlike you, I jumped in without asking any questions. I knew nothing about the nitrogen cycle and now I know why I had so much trouble then. A few years ago I got interested in the hobby again and this time I did a lot of reading before I started. I read all about the nitrogen cycle and did not want to go through the difficulties of cycling my tank. I ordered an active sponge filter ( one already containing the benificial bacteria need to convert the fish wastes) from an online vendor. I had my tank ready and I timed my order so it arrived about the same time I added my fish and my tank was instantly cycled. If you know someone else in the hobby you could also arrange to get a used filter from them. It is really that easy. After that, test your water and keep up on your water changes. Good luck.

 

[slipshodman]

I ordered an active sponge filter ( one already containing the benificial bacteria need to convert the fish wastes) from an online vendor.

I thought you were pulling my leg when i read this.... but its true, you can buy them online

Not sure that i would trust it personally, i would prefer to cycle my own tank , but each to their own

 

[robham777]

I have a little different perspective on the purchase and set up of your first tank. I started out with a 10 gallon, then 20, 36,55, 75, and 125. I wish I had skipped the smaller tanks and started with the 75 or 125. A modestly stocked larger aquarium is much more forgiving than a smaller one when it comes to maintaining water quality. Not to mention the range of stocking options is far greater. The only time I have ever wished a tank was smaller was when moving it or dosing with expensive medication.

 

[Glenn Carbon]

I wish I had skipped the smaller tanks and started with the 75 or 125. A modestly stocked larger aquarium is much more forgiving than a smaller one when it comes to maintaining water quality. Not to mention the range of stocking options is far greater. The only time I have ever wished a tank was smaller was when moving it or dosing with expensive medication.

Yea, I started out looking at 20-30 gallon tanks but I think I'm going to go with a 55, 75, or 90 gallon tank

 

[robham777]

Yea, I started out looking at 20-30 gallon tanks but I think I'm going to go with a 55, 75, or 90 gallon tank

A lot of people with large tanks keep a 10,20, or even a 40 gallon tank for a quarantine/hospital tank, but this is usually just a bare tank with only a heater, a sponge filter and a cover to keep the fish in. Once you have an established tank you can put any new additions in the small tank to observe/treat them for a few weeks before adding them to your display tank. There is nothing worse for a fishkeeper than to introducing some pathogen via a new fish that wipes out your entire aquarium. Also medications can get expensive (usually dosed by the gallon), and some fish can't tolerate some medications so having a small isolation tank can be very useful. You don't have to keep a qt tank running all the time, just run the sponge filter in your display to keep it cycled. You can often find small tanks on sale at chain stores like Petco for $1 per gallon.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

A lot of people with large tanks keep a 10,20, or even a 40 gallon tank for a quarantine/hospital tank, but this is usually just a bare tank with only a heater, a sponge filter and a cover to keep the fish in. Once you have an established tank you can put any new additions in the small tank to observe/treat them for a few weeks before adding them to your display tank. There is nothing worse for a fishkeeper than to introducing some pathogen via a new fish that wipes out your entire aquarium. Also medications can get expensive (usually dosed by the gallon), and some fish can't tolerate some medications so having a small isolation tank can be very useful. You don't have to keep a qt tank running all the time, just run the sponge filter in your display to keep it cycled. You can often find small tanks on sale at chain stores like Petco for $1 per gallon.

Craigslist as well

 

[robham777]

Craigslist as well

True, but I would not pay more than .33 cents per gallon for a used tank 55 gallons and under unless it came with some pretty decent extras. My local CL postings are sparse and are usually ridiculously overpriced.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

True, but I would not pay more than .33 cents per gallon for a used tank 55 gallons and under unless it came with some pretty decent extras. My local CL postings are sparse and are usually ridiculously overpriced.

Sad, here I see a lot of 75 gallons for a hundred bucks (with filtration and filters often included), not bad for a starter setup

 

[robham777]

Sad, here I see a lot of 75 gallons for a hundred bucks (with filtration and filters often included), not bad for a starter setup

I think it just depends on the area and how healthy the hobby is in it. I am often amazed at some of the deals people in CA get on very nice tanks. I just pulled up some local listings and found a 55 setup with stand for $200 and one without the stand for $225. Both included some common inexpensive fish though.