totaly not a car subject...fish tank ?'s
i've kept both fresh and salt water setups. freshwater systems are easier to maintain; livestock and equipment are cheaper, and freshwater species can sometimes be more "personable" (i.e. goldfish, cichlids, etc) to a child. saltwater systems are characterized by more sophisticated (and costly) equipment, sensitive aquatic specimens, highly-regulated water conditions, and vibrant colors.
i would recommend that you start off with a freshwater setup: fishes are easy to obtain and are less costly to replace. you can go with a simple 10-30 gallon tank with a sandy substrate, affordable decor, and low light plants such as java ferns.
with that said, i think saltwater systems are much more fascinating. once the system is set up, it can become an independent biotope where organisms survive off of each other. if you are able to maintain that balance, you will be rewarded with an active ecosystem thriving with life (and naturally death): light and micronutrients propagate micro-organisms; bio-filters such as crabs, corals, and even fish feed off these micro-organisms. heck, even the substrate bed is deemed "live" because of the multitude of organisms that thrive within the sand bed. truly fascinating.
db
i would recommend that you start off with a freshwater setup: fishes are easy to obtain and are less costly to replace. you can go with a simple 10-30 gallon tank with a sandy substrate, affordable decor, and low light plants such as java ferns.
with that said, i think saltwater systems are much more fascinating. once the system is set up, it can become an independent biotope where organisms survive off of each other. if you are able to maintain that balance, you will be rewarded with an active ecosystem thriving with life (and naturally death): light and micronutrients propagate micro-organisms; bio-filters such as crabs, corals, and even fish feed off these micro-organisms. heck, even the substrate bed is deemed "live" because of the multitude of organisms that thrive within the sand bed. truly fascinating.
db
Last edited by doughboy; Jan 22, 2004 at 12:27 AM.
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Originally posted by doughboy
mexicanpizza -- i take it from your pictures that you scaled your setup back to just soft corals?
that maximus clam looks badass...how large was it?
mexicanpizza -- i take it from your pictures that you scaled your setup back to just soft corals?
that maximus clam looks badass...how large was it?
My 13 gallon reef has 7 bubble tip anemones (started as one 3 years ago) two clowns, and a bunch of Red Sea Pulsing Xenia.That's not my clam...I don't have pics of mine, but it was about the size of a cantaloupe (big softball?). I love those clams. Amazing.
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I agree...if you have to get freshwater...go cichlids. But research on which ones are bastards (most of 'em) and which will grow to be 15" long. 
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starting a fish aquarium is very very addicting, i use to go to the fish store 3 to 4 times a week to buy new fish, or just to look around. i think oscars are cool, but they get big, and they like to eat other fishes, but its cool watching them eat gold fishes.
My roomates and I used to let guppies loose in a tank with two angel fish and a black ghost. Those two aren't specially known for being predators, but they would eat small things like guppies.
The guppies wouldn't last a day.
And yeah, I find having an aquarium is very addicting. In one 6 month period, I was spending ~$100 a month on fish stuff (on a college student budget). Granted, I did need some stuff like dry food, live food and whatnot, but I was blowing quite a bit on new fish, new decorations, etc.
I had to stop, though, too expensive for me.
The guppies wouldn't last a day.
And yeah, I find having an aquarium is very addicting. In one 6 month period, I was spending ~$100 a month on fish stuff (on a college student budget). Granted, I did need some stuff like dry food, live food and whatnot, but I was blowing quite a bit on new fish, new decorations, etc.
I had to stop, though, too expensive for me.
Last edited by Nick Koan; Jan 23, 2004 at 07:14 PM.
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Lol, I started by buying 44 goldfish in a little bowl...that was when I was 12 and it forced my parents to get me a 20 gallon.
Now, I still have the 20 gallon freshwater with a silver dollar, beta shark, giant algae eater (mom hates it, looks like a dragon), a phantom tetra, and 2 guppies. Its time to go look for another, as a few fish have died of old age recently.
On average I clean the tank once every 6 months or so...change the filter every 2-4 weeks, and then feed the fish every day....VERY low maintenance...and have been running it like that for the last 3-4+ years. Dont have any live plants either, jsut a giant log and a couple of fake plants.
Now, I still have the 20 gallon freshwater with a silver dollar, beta shark, giant algae eater (mom hates it, looks like a dragon), a phantom tetra, and 2 guppies. Its time to go look for another, as a few fish have died of old age recently.
On average I clean the tank once every 6 months or so...change the filter every 2-4 weeks, and then feed the fish every day....VERY low maintenance...and have been running it like that for the last 3-4+ years. Dont have any live plants either, jsut a giant log and a couple of fake plants.
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Aquariums are easy to maintain, both fresh and saltwater. If you really want some advice, I can give it to you. I've worked in pet stores for a while plus I have a bio degree. I could talk for hours on aquariums, but I don't want to bore you if you arent' interested in listening to me rant. The biggest thing is the way you set it up. Don't go half *** on anything especially on a salt water tank. If you set the aquarium up right, then you won't have any problems down the road. Be very patient with it. When you set it up, don't start throwing a whole bunch of fish in there. You have to give it time to cycle first. It takes time for the aquarium to go through its 'cycle'. This is where it sets up a biological and chemical balance. I'm going to shut up now before everyone starts falling asleep. Let me know if you want any of my opinions.
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Originally posted by mexicanpizza
You guys saying saltwater tanks are a lot of maintenance have either:
1. Never had one
2. Had one, but had no idea what you're doing.
New saltwater methods (live rock/sandbed/big skimmer) can get you a tank that needs almost no water changes/regular maintenance. Of course you can't keep a million fish in it, but otherwise it's worth it.
My tank at work:
Gino...I have some good books if you want to borrow or barter (
), and of course I can help you with setup, etc. Read up on http://www.reefcentral.com/ and ask questions in the newbie section.
My 25 gallon full stony corals tank was pretty amazing when they were growing at 1/2 inch a month. Clams as big as your head.
You guys saying saltwater tanks are a lot of maintenance have either:
1. Never had one
2. Had one, but had no idea what you're doing.
New saltwater methods (live rock/sandbed/big skimmer) can get you a tank that needs almost no water changes/regular maintenance. Of course you can't keep a million fish in it, but otherwise it's worth it.
My tank at work:
Gino...I have some good books if you want to borrow or barter (
), and of course I can help you with setup, etc. Read up on http://www.reefcentral.com/ and ask questions in the newbie section.My 25 gallon full stony corals tank was pretty amazing when they were growing at 1/2 inch a month. Clams as big as your head.
So what are these new methods, they sound very interesting. How often do you have to change the water? Approximately how many fish are you limited to?
crash n burn can comment too
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Originally posted by British Banger
I used to be very interested in starting a saltwater tank, but the employees at the pet stores always told me about how hard it was and how you have to constantly change the water.
So what are these new methods, they sound very interesting. How often do you have to change the water? Approximately how many fish are you limited to?
crash n burn can comment too
I used to be very interested in starting a saltwater tank, but the employees at the pet stores always told me about how hard it was and how you have to constantly change the water.
So what are these new methods, they sound very interesting. How often do you have to change the water? Approximately how many fish are you limited to?
crash n burn can comment too
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Forgot to mention something else important. Fish compatability!! Make sure the fish you put together will get along. Especially if you have invertebrates in the tank. Keep an eye on butterfly fish. They like invertebrates, for instance. If you do go with a reef tank, also watch for that. Trigger fish, for example, will destroy the coral skeleton. blah blah blah
sorry to rant
sorry to rant
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The method I'm talking about is the "Berlin" method. Thick sand bed that stays undisturbed, live reef rock, a big protein skimmer, and a "cleanup crew" (snails, crabs, other **** eaters).
It will support a fair amount of fish.
It will support a fair amount of fish.