Beginning My Aquarium

[Clue]

Planning on buying the acrylic SeaClear Rectangular 40 Gallon Junior Executive Kit from Petco in the coming week.
The "kit" includes 36" L X 15" W X 16" H aquarium, an electrically approved hood and fluorescent fixtures (bulbs not included), a power filter, plastic plants, net, fish food, water conditioner and how-to book.

I'm a bit curious if the food will be suitable for the fish I plan to buy (A Red-Tail Shark and about 3 - 5 Albino Tiger Barbs), and if the Red-Tail and the 3 - 5 Barbs could live together in the 40-gallon. Once I get it all working and such, I'll try to post pictures and updates.
Since I'm new to the fish business, I'd like some info and advice, so feel free to criticize my choice if it's not the best option.

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid that tank is on the small side for a red tailed shark, which needs a four foot tank.

Otherwise, sharks and tiger bars do make good tank mates, on the whole, and neither species needs special food, although the shark would appreciate some sinking pellets once or twice a week.

 

[mike455555]

I'm afraid that tank is on the small side for a red tailed shark, which needs a four foot tank.

Otherwise, sharks and tiger bars do make good tank mates, on the whole, and neither species needs special food, although the shark would appreciate some sinking pellets once or twice a week.

+1 to that

you know about cycling ect?

 

[Electric Warrior]

Yeah, I would forget about the RTS in that tank tbh; you would only be asking for problems!

 

[Clue]

Thanks. I'll look for some other tank-mates suitable with Barbs. Any suggestions?
And what's this "cycling"?

 

[fluttermoth]

I've never had much success keeping other fish with tiger barbs (and I've been keeping them over 20 years now).

Some of the bolshier tetras and some catfish (like bristlenoses) and zebra loach are ok with them. Are you sure you wouldn't rather have something other than the tigers? They really are a very difficult fish to stock around

Cycling is growing the good bacteria you need in your filter. Without those bacteria eating the fish's wastes the water will very quickly become toxic to the fish. It's better to do a 'fishless cycle' where you add ammonia to replicate the fish's wastes rather than use actual fish (which would be a 'fish in cycle').

Fish in cycles can mean a lot of hard work; daily, possibly twice daily, testing and/or large water changes, plus there is always a risk of getting it wrong and exposing the fish to high levels of ammonia and nitrite which could kill them or affect their long term health.

There are some great articles on cycling in our beginner's resource centre (the link for that is in my sig) which you might find useful to have a read of.

 

[Clue]

Alright, thanks.
I'll look into something else than Tiger Barbs then.
And is it possible for this topic to be moved to the "Your New Freshwater Tank" forum?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, it would be much better in that section; moved as requested

 

[Clue]

Yes, it would be much better in that section; moved as requested

Thanks. Again.
Would a Calico Shubunkin Goldfish do well in the 40 gallon, along with some Zebra Danio?

 

[fluttermoth]

No, you could only keep 'fancy' goldfish in a tank that size (that's fantails, orandas and the like); shubunkins are pond fish. They couldn't be kept with zebra danios.

Let's get a starting point; what is your local water like, hard or soft? From how far away will you be looking at the tank? What's your favourite colour?

 

[Clue]

I think I'll just start off with a Red Peacock Cichlid for now.

 

[Essjay]

I think I'll just start off with a Red Peacock Cichlid for now.

These fish need at least a 50 gallon tank and hard alkaline water. What is your pH and hardness?

I'm also worried by what you said about starting off with a fish. If you get any fish before doing a fishless cycle, you are in for a lot of hard work - daily large water changes for several weeks.

I would read the how-to book, and if it doesn't mention fishless cycling, or the water changes need with fish-in cycling, I would throw it away. Especially if it was printed by the tank manufacturer.

In addition to the things that came with the tank, you will also need a heater and a liquid reagent water testing kit. Pleas read these two threads, then you will see what is involved with the two methods of cycling (ie growing bacteria)
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/224306-fish-in-cycling/


Do you know anyone whp has a fish tank? If you could get some media from an established filter, that woud speed things up.