Beginners Questions

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

I am planning on buying a tank this size:
24.1 in L x 12.6 in W x 17 in H (61.2 x 32 x 43.1 cm) (20Gallon)
But I will supply measurements for the tank spot tomorrow. (Tank isn't definite)
Will respond to any messages tomorrow
Thanks!!

 

[Rocky998]

I am planning on buying a tank this size:
24.1 in L x 12.6 in W x 17 in H (61.2 x 32 x 43.1 cm) (20Gallon)
But I will supply measurements for the tank spot tomorrow. (Tank isn't definite)
Will respond to any messages tomorrow
Thanks!!

Ah, a 20 gallon high! Thats the same exact size of tank I have! Cant wait to see how your tank turns out

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

First thing you do is find out your water hardness...because the type of fish you have will depend on it. Some fish can only live in soft water like bettas and tetras, and some fish can only live in hard water like guppies and mollies...

So as soon as you find that out we can help you pick out fish.

Make sure you include live plants in your new tank, don't just concentrate on live stock, plants are just as important

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Ah, a 20 gallon high! Thats the same exact size of tank I have! Cant wait to see how your tank turns out

Thanks! I'm super excited to see too!

First thing you do is find out your water hardness...because the type of fish you have will depend on it. Some fish can only live in soft water like bettas and tetras, and some fish can only live in hard water like guppies and mollies...

So as soon as you find that out we can help you pick out fish.

Make sure you include live plants in your new tank, don't just concentrate on live stock, plants are just as important

Ok. I will work to try to find that out. In the past, when I was younger, my parents bought me bettas. Same water supply. Don't know if that helps. I will try to find #s very soon.
I love house-plants, and that is part of the reason I'm getting a bigger tank. I will start looking into more plants though.



Follow-up question--- let's say I JUST wanted to have plants with a few bright fish to liven things up. Does anyone know any flowering plants that would be Ok? Or is that not a thing?

Thanks to all

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Hi! So my water is automatically filtered through a little thing on my sink... Would that affect anything like GH???
Thanks

 

[FishHobby99]

This is not a particularly good community fish, it can get fin nippy. Which means it needs a larger group, say 10 (or more space permitting), and I would not do this in a 20g. Also, it will tend to nip fins of sedate fish (like gourami mentioned earlier).



Male bettas re not community fish, so one male should be on its own in a tank like a 5g or 10g. Females are risky too, I will leave that for the betta members.

HA HA! Bryon, upon reading your first sentence I thought you were referring to TFF & I admired your candor.

 

[FishHobby99]

Ok, thanks. I’m looking for a good, hardy fish. So what are some good fish for my tank? Are cherry barbs ok? Are they colorful? Also, is that a y/n to the honeys? Looking for fish that will be happy in my tank. Small is ok but I just want them to be colorful
Thanks for all advice
Ps.- Snails----Do they have "colorful" snails?
Thanks to everyone

avoid red ramhorns. They are colorful but breed like there‘s no tomorrow. They will quickly take over a tank. I’m sticking with the less active, less colorful nerites. They don’t breed in freshwater.

I‘ve seen some beautiful snails & am uncertain as to their breeding capabilities, but I’m done with snail experimentation after the red ram horn disaster. I got rid of all but one & turns out they can reproduce without another.
So that one‘s gone too.

Moral of the story: Look before you leap. Lots of research.

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

avoid red ramhorns. They are colorful but breed like there‘s no tomorrow. They will quickly take over a tank. I’m sticking with the less active, less colorful nerites. They don’t breed in freshwater.

I‘ve seen some beautiful snails & am uncertain as to their breeding capabilities, but I’m done with snail experimentation after the red ram horn disaster. I got rid of all but one & turns out they can reproduce without another.
So that one‘s gone too.

Moral of the story: Look before you leap. Lots of research.

Ok, thanks. Will do

 

[ClownLurch]

Does anyone know any small pretty fish that would be fun and have a lot of personality?
(sorry if this is sorta a repeat of a prior Question---)
right now I'm thinking of some nerites and other fish
Thanks to everyone!

You need to find out your water hardness and water PH at the very least before anyone can sensibly recommend fish. Tap water will make yours and the fishes lives a lot easier than buying and transporting water from elsewhere.
The water info will be on your water suppliers website. If you name the city or state you live in that may help some of our US based members may be able to help you determine your water figures.
Have fun. It’s most complicated at the beginning when your fishkeeping……..unless you really really want to get overly technical about stuff.
Have fun.

 

[ClownLurch]

Hi! So my water is automatically filtered through a little thing on my sink... Would that affect anything like GH???
Thanks

Depends if it’s a salt based water filter.
Find out the figures from your water suppliers website before buying any fish. Once you’ve posted them on here the mega sized brains of the ff.net regulars will point you in the direction of the fish that’ll be happiest in your tap water. Believe me tap water makes life a lot easier in fishkeeping. That’s something everyone will agree with.

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Depends if it’s a salt based water filter.
Find out the figures from your water suppliers website before buying any fish. Once you’ve posted them on here the mega sized brains of the ff.net regulars will point you in the direction of the fish that’ll be happiest in your tap water. Believe me tap water makes life a lot easier in fishkeeping. That’s something everyone will agree with.

Ok, Thanks!
When I first started I didn't realize how important the GH was, but I will figure it out. Yeah, I'm in New Jersey. Sorry I didn't mention that before. I am sort of busy right now, so I cant, but as soon as I get home I will check

 

[FishHobby99]

i would add a few fish at a time & not all at once. meaning purchase a few at a time. If you’re getting shoaling fish, it may be be different. Never owned any, so can’t advise.

 

[FishHobby99]

Ok, Thanks!
When I first started I didn't realize how important the GH was, but I will figure it out. Yeah, I'm in New Jersey. Sorry I didn't mention that before. I am sort of busy right now, so I cant, but as soon as I get home I will check

I buy some plants from a place in NJ called YourFishStuff. Good Shop. Nice people.

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

I buy some plants from a place in NJ called YourFishStuff. Good Shop. Nice people.

Ok! i will check that shop out! Rn I’m thinking
-plants (tbd)
-nerites
-a few fish…will try to get GH soon!
Thanks to all!

 

[FishHobby99]

Google: GH Water for your city. Mine has all kinds of info & there’s a phone # to call for clarification. So many numbers! It is confusing!