Newbie brain overload!

[Beth235]

Hey guys! I’m new here . I’m thinking of getting some tropical fish. Iv been researching a lot over a few weeks but could do with some help please. I managed to keep 3 goldfish alive for 12 years in the past. Tropical do seem more complicated but are beautiful I want a challenge! I live in Harrogate apparently a soft water around 7 ph. I have a budget of around £150 space of around 40 cm wide and depth. Im
Just at a loss as to what fishies would be suitable everywhere seems to say different things! Also tanks - currently looking at this tank ... https/www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/aqua-one-platform-black-aquarium-37-litre?volume-=37阫&istCompanyId=7255ccad-a1fc-4729-af31-478f79e5071c&istFeedId=643142ca-4bc2-459f-88c5-ba9630b42bbb&istItemId=itxmxwtaq&istBid=t#xd_co_f=M2RlYzdkZjktNDk3Zi00M2QyLWFmNzQtODI5MmJiMzBlMzk5~ But any help appreciated!!! Thankyou

 

[ClownLurch]

Welcome. The link isn’t working.

What are the tanks dimensions?
Also find out your water hardness levels on your water providers website. It’ll ask you to enter your postcode and reply with a load of numbers and letters that only @Essjay ?truly understands on here. So tell us them and we’ll be able to help as best we can.
PH is Alkilinity, though they do mostly go hand in hand in the U.K.

 

[nik_n]

Before getting any fish be sure to research and understand the nitrogen cycle and how to properly cycle your tank. This is the most important thing for a new fish keeper. There are some good videos and websites about it, just do some research. There are also some posts on this forum, where the nitrogen cycle is explained.

Before buying a tank I would research what type of fish you want to keep. Then you can research their requirements and provide the best possible home for them.

I would also consider having some real plants in my tank because they help with water quality and make your fish feel safer.

Hope this helps

 

[madmark285]

Here is a link to a stocking calculator, this will give you a general idea on how many fish you can put in the above tank.

With the lower pH/soft water, I would start looking at Tetras from South America and determine how many you can get into a small tank. If that suits your needs, buy the tank.

Mark

 

[madmark285]

Welcome. The link isn’t working.

What are the tanks dimensions?

40 x 40 x 25cm with a built in filter.

 

[Beth235]

Thanks for all the responses ! Iv got tbis off Yorkshire water not sure if that is of any help in terms of fish type ? https://www.yorkshirewater.com/water-quality/check-your-water-hardness/
Iv not done a cycle before ?so will need to look into this it all sounds confusing !! Thanks.

 

[Essjay]

The link takes me to the hardness description page. If you haven't already done it, can you go to the check your water page and enter your postcode, then take a screenshot of the part of the page with hardness type and hardness average in it. Post the image on here.

Cycling is simply growing bacteria. And it is easier on the fish keeper and better for fish if you do it before getting fish. There is a step by step method on fishless cycling on here. All you need is a bottle of ammonia (we can help you find some) and a test kit which tests for ammonia and nitrite. Then follow the steps in the method adding ammonia when the test results reach certain levels.

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

It is possible to cycle a tank after fish are added but this does mean daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite low, and the risk of these harming the fish.

PH is Alkilinity, though they do mostly go hand in hand in the U.K.

I think that's a typo but just to make sure - KH is alkalinity and yes it does usually go hand in hand with GH (hardness)

 

[QiQi]

It can get expensive, prepare for that too

 

[Essjay]

I should have mentioned that the reason ClownLurch mention finding your water hardness is so that you can choose fish which come from water with similar hardness to yours.
The tank you are looking at will restrict your choice as most fish need more swimming room, but there are fish suitable for small tanks.

 

[QiQi]

finding your water hardness

I checked online the town's water readings 2 days ago (I am using RO because I already knew the water here is very hard and the TDS is over 450) and oh boy it has so much stuff in there it made me a bit uneasy to even drink it.

 

[Essjay]

The water quality report can look quite frightening at times.

 

[QiQi]

The worst part for me was the TDS 450+, GH 16+ and nitrates 40+. I had to swap to RO cause my cherry shrimp were not doing okay with my tap water.

 

[Essjay]

With nitrate that high, I'm not surprised the shrimps were unhappy.

That's the problem in areas with high tap nitrate - and the UK allows up to 50 ppm - it is impossible to keep nitrate low by water changes.



[As a total side issue, at first glance it appears that the US has a lower limit for nitrate. It doesn't; US water legislation uses a different measurement scale from the UK, which uses the same scale as our test kits]

 

[madmark285]

I managed to keep 3 goldfish alive for 12 years in the past.

Don't worry about this now but when you cycle your new tank, you should be able to use gravel/old filter pads from the goldfish tank to seed your new aquarium with the required bacteria. Mention the goldfish tank when you get advice on cycling your new tank.

Mark