Setting up new tanks

[Karen75]

I am new to this hobby but am so excited and want to learn as much as I can! I am in the process of setting up two tanks. One is already planted with a few live plants and is hopefully cycling! And I am currently waiting for my gravel to come for my second tank so i can get it planted and set up. I have a 65 gallon and a 45 gallon. Aside from getting 2 angel fish (freshwater because I am no where near ready for a salt tank!) I have no clue what to fill them with. I want a balance between having a few big fish and tons of little fish. Can i get some suggestions to make sure its balanced between that and having fish that swim on top, the middle and bottom? And suggestions for the amount of each type to get. Thanks in advance!!!

Karen

 

[SouthTxAquaman]

Welcome to the hobby!

I know it's very hard, but it is so worth it to TAKE YOUR TIME and let the tanks cycle like you said is so sad when you get a fish and love it for three weeks only to see it die in a spike

As for fish suggestions I'm gonna let the pros do the talking here. Just wanted to welcome you!

 

[Karen75]

I was given miss information when I set up the 10 gallon which was my attempt at learning how to have live plants and was not told about the cycling!! And I only lost 3 fish and a frog so this time I am taking my time!!!

 

[tlindsey]

I am new to this hobby but am so excited and want to learn as much as I can! I am in the process of setting up two tanks. One is already planted with a few live plants and is hopefully cycling! And I am currently waiting for my gravel to come for my second tank so i can get it planted and set up. I have a 65 gallon and a 45 gallon. Aside from getting 2 angel fish (freshwater because I am no where near ready for a salt tank!) I have no clue what to fill them with. I want a balance between having a few big fish and tons of little fish. Can i get some suggestions to make sure its balanced between that and having fish that swim on top, the middle and bottom? And suggestions for the amount of each type to get. Thanks in advance!!!

Karen

Welcome aboard

Wait patiently until aquarium is fully cycled 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 5-10 ppm Nitrate. I suggest adding a group of Tetra and bottom dwellers such as Corydora with the Angels. The 45 gallon will only support a medium fish specie with a few smaller species.

 

[Karen75]

Welcome aboard

Wait patiently until aquarium is fully cycled 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 5-10 ppm Nitrate. I suggest adding a group of Tetra and bottom dwellers such as Corydora with the Angels. The 45 gallon will only support a medium fish specie with a few smaller species.

 

[esoxlucius]

So your 10g experience ended badly, now you're jumping straight into two bigger tanks.....at the same time.....and planning on having them planted.....and with fish. My heads spinning. Granted, this hobby does get a grip on you, but the speed at which you're going it's going to end up with your enthusiasm shot to pieces on the floor.

If i was you i'd set up just the one tank, with fish only to start. It can take many years to perfect the planted side of the hobby, it's probably more complex than keeping fish! Once you've got to grips with the fish side then you could start looking into the planted side. You need to research your fish, you just simply can't do "a few big fish and tons of little fish", especially in the size of tanks you've got.

Start off nice and slow, get it right, and in a few years you'll have a magnificent 300g planted tank with fish. Rush things and those 2 little tanks you have now will end up in the basement collecting dust, and your only memories of the hobby will be bad ones.

 

[kkirkt]

I want a balance between having a few big fish and tons of little fish.

You need to research your fish, you just simply can't do "a few big fish and tons of little fish", especially in the size of tanks you've got.

I'd like to add, your definition of a few big fish and tons of little fish may very well be possible (for you). However, on this forum, many people (not me) have truly BIG fish (several feet long). For my personal tank, a 4 inch fish is "big" because I prefer smaller fish. If that's what you meant, you can fit a few "big" fish in with many small fish. However, I'd recommend trying to have a lower stocking density (water parameters should be more stable).

I'm also lazy (/practical) so I'd recommend getting hardier fish as you are getting into the hobby. It's always depressing having fish die and not truly knowing why. Others can recommend "hardy" fish.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Some nice and easy to care for fish:
Little: cherry barbs,white cloud minnows,zebra danios,kuli loach,Pygmy sunfish.
Slightly bigger: bristlenose pleco(give bits of zucchini as food),melenium red rainbowfish.
You should also get some fish safe aquatic fertilizer for your planted tank(most fish stores should have some)