im new with the fish thing so if u could help i need to no the best way to set up a fish tank
Answers:
First, before you ever buy your first fish, read! Buy a book on freshwater tanks, or check some out of the library, they have tons!
Beyond that, if you're new to aquaria, don't buy live plants. It is too much work to care for them, and to start, you should focus on your fish. Put a few fun decorations of your choice (made for aquarium use) in after you have arranged your gravel, add some plastic plants (fish like hiding and sleeping places), and that will be fine for as long as you're happy with it.
Next to reading, the most important thing is let your aquarium age, with filters, pumps and heaters on, at least a week before adding any fish. Then only add a few at a time. I mean like 3-6 depending on size, every two weeks. You should also have a small quarantine tank (5 gallons is about perfect) to house your new fish for their first two weeks at your home. It doesn't have to be fancy, just functional. You don't know where these fish have been, and you don't want to throw them in with all your other fish, and perhaps have the whole tank die of some disease! If, after two weeks, they seem perfectly healthy (here you need to read the section of your book about fish diseases), then you can introduce them into your community tank.
Don't overcrowd your tank. That's the most frequent mistake made by new fish keepers. All the pretty fish are irresistible! You can safely house one inch of fish per gallon of water. In a 20 gallon tank, you could have 20 neon tetras, for instance, but people usually want more variety. Find out the general maximum adult size of all your fish and add it up. When that number is the same as your gallons of water, you're done. Until a fish dies, or you trade with somebody.
Finally, make sure you test your water religiously. It is easy to do with dip strips, available everywhere. If you are really unsure about how to do it, just take some of the water to your neighborhood fish shop, they should be happy to test it for you. They are usually happy to answer questions and offer advice, too. You will have tons of selection at a giant pet superstore, and you can get some help there, but nothing beats a mom and pop pet store. They probably know more about their business, and their fish, than anybody.
If you only take one tip from me, please READ! You'll learn more than you can imagine, and things you had no idea about. Fish keeping isn't the easiest thing in the world, but if you are well informed, it's not that difficult, and can be very rewarding. Buy at least one book, you'll reference it again and again, I promise! Good luck!
put whatever plants you want - I usually let the tank cycle to stablize the tank for about a week before adding fish or you can get start right from the store-wal mart or pet store
just fill your tank and with the filters running let ur tank cycle for at least 2 weeks. Depending on the capacity of tank you can add a few fish to help with cycling. I would suggest u to start with few decorations, and try to understand fish behaviour.
random suggestion: get an algae eater... they are helpful for beginers, and ask the store employees where ur buyin fish what are "hearty" (strong-willed fish)... sensitive fish may be difficult to keep in a newly cycled tank
go to my yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starteraqu...
I have a photo list of suggestions for fish, plants and invertabrates. when you join, clink on the links and you will find future suggestions and articles that will help you wiht your 10-gallon aquarium.
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