Total Beginner help

[Avogel]

Hello everyone, I have wanted to get into the hobby for years and am finally diving in. I have a few questions: 1. I have an old 20 gallon long, 18 gallon, and 46 gallon tank, which one would be better for me to start off with? 2. would it be better for me to use sand or gravel for it? 3. what would be some good stocking for the tank? I am willing to have fewer fish for bigger fish but want at least 5. Thank you in advance.

 

[Warborg]

1) Bigger the better
2)I'll say gravel as sand can get into the filters.
3)I'd go with simple stuff like danios or tetras until you get a little more experience under your belt. Stay away from high priced fish or predatory ones for awhile.

 

[tlindsey]

1) Bigger the better
2)I'll say gravel as sand can get into the filters.
3)I'd go with simple stuff like danios or tetras until you get a little more experience under your belt. Stay away from high priced fish or predatory for awhile.

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[Avogel]

ok, thank you guys

 

[heavyhitter]

Start with the larger tank of the one with the largest foot print, better for the fish and actually will be easier on you in the long run.
Learn about the nitrogen cycle, this is the most important thing you need to know and maintain.
Choosing a substrate depend on the fish you are keeping. Gravel may or may not be easier. It is easier to vacuum but if also if you use sinking food it can get stuck in the gravel and cause pollution. I like to use a very fine gravel not like sand but like fine rocks. Its good for scaleless fish too. There are very cool fish out there that don't get that big. What are you looking for in a fish that you want to keep, activity, color. behavior etc?

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Start with the larger tank of the one with the largest foot print, better for the fish and actually will be easier on you in the long run.
Learn about the nitrogen cycle, this is the most important thing you need to know and maintain.
Choosing a substrate depend on the fish you are keeping. Gravel may or may not be easier. It is easier to vacuum but if also if you use sinking food it can get stuck in the gravel and cause pollution. I like to use a very fine gravel not like sand but like fine rocks. Its good for scaleless fish too. There are very cool fish out there that don't get that big. What are you looking for in a fish that you want to keep, activity, color. behavior etc?

Most important advice, learn about the nitrogen cycle. Learn about fishless cycling as well, which kind of goes hand in hand with the nitrogen cycle.

 

[Avogel]

I would be looking for a fish that is somewhat active and colorful, I'm immediately attracted to south American cichlids and fish from around the Thailand area as a few of my better friend used to live there.

 

[Fish on Fire]

Or, you could just go to your local lfs and ask them to squeeze some old filter media into a bag for you and pour that into your new tank. Tada, your tank is cycled in just a couple of days and you can add fish without a problem.

You don't have to stick to tetras and simple stuff like that at all. There are plenty of fish that are hardy and can handle a beginner that would be fine in the 46 gallon tank.

Convict cichlids, kribs, african mbuna cichlids, firemouth cichlids, acura, etc. All of these fish you can handle without a problem. You don't need to stay boring just because you're a beginner.

 

[Hendre]

Convict cichlids, kribs, african mbuna cichlids, firemouth cichlids, acura, etc. All of these fish you can handle without a problem. You don't need to stay boring just because you're a beginner

Out of that firemouths and acara are a bit big and better in a group in a larger tank.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Look at the different cryptoheros species, beautiful and small.