Hello, Absolute Novice Starting Out!

[gj17]

Hello all, i am an absolute novice who is looking to start an aquarium in the near future, but i thought i'd not rush into buying things that i didn't need yet or don't need at all. Just thought i'd join a forum that i could get help in starting my very first aquarium. Basic things i need to learn at the moment, like what size tank i should start with and what fish would be great beginner fish. (like the look of neon tetras). I've been reading about 'cycling' and i believe i get the jist of it.
 
 
 
Any help for a complete novice would be much appreciated.
 
Thanks, Gj17

 

[fluttermoth]

to the forum, Gj17.
 
I would advise you to go for a tank in the 100l/3 foot sort of size.
 
That's not so big that water changes become hard work, but is large enough to stay fairly stable and give you a good choice of fish.
 
Then, fishlessly cycle it!
 
We'll all be here to help and support you through your cycle and there's always someone around who can answer your queries

 

[jwalser18]

gj17! yeah, there's plenty of help located on this forum. Check out the beginners Resource center (you can click the link in fluttermoth's sig) and that should answer a lot of the questions you'll be having! anything else, feel free to ask!

 

[mike455555]

dam you beat me to it Jw :L and welcome to the forum as the others said were here to help, can i get you interested in live plants? 

 

[gj17]

Thanks for the replies, i like the prospect of having live plants, any upsides/downsides of having them, love your setup by the way Mike.

 

[mike455555]

thanks, and the upsides it removes nitrates, the down sides.... ummmm.... ummmm pass? plants are great =D, good easy ones to start off with are crypts java fern anubias and moss's theres other easy ones out there as well but these are common 

 

[gj17]

I know some fish like to eat live plants, how much do they eat of a certain plant?

 

[fluttermoth]

If you have plant eating fish, and a plant they like, they will eat it all!
 
But a lot of aquarium plants are either cheap and fast growing or tough and taste bitter, and you can always avoid plant eating fish Certainly, of the easy plants that mike mentioned, Java fern and anubias are left alone by most fish.

 

[gj17]

Ah thanks alot Fluttermoth

 

[zoopkamol]

aquarium size..i  say biggest you can afford but you gotta remember you need some extra cash for filter/heater.
the larger tank allows for better water parameters if something goes wrong.
also larger tank allow alot more choices for fish.
planted tanks can cost a bit if you go high tech. pressurized co2/ferts/lighting
 
forum here is a great spot to get help for anything that can and will happen
 
wish you luck with whatever tank you get.

 

[ReddSamurai]

can i get you interested in live plants? 

haha i had to laugh when i saw that mike xD, but yea i agree 100% plants benefit the tank in so many ways

 

[gj17]

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum GJ17.
Get the biggest tank you can afford and have room for. When choosing a tank, make sure to also price up the required equipment and downsize/upsize where needed.
Plants are great to help with nitrate and ammonia and also the fish love them. Though the plants do require a bit of extra care but it's all worth it!
I look forward to updates.