Newbie who really doesn't want to kill her future fish.

[oafish]

I'm in a similar position as a newbie, 240litre tank, water hardness 19.7dh. No plans to buy for a month yet but I was interested in some "beginner" cichlids, like the electric blue acara. Thanks for the various links to information.

 

[emeraldking]

Also welcome overhere.
And have you already made a choice of what kinds of fish you'll be keeping?

 

[ClownLurch]

Our water is 19dh/340ppm and 8ph so I share your pain.

Ive an aversion to seeing non small fish in anything less than a swimming pool sized tank and for having electricity in water so opted for small temperate water fish and sponge filters.

Long Fin WCMMs, Long Fin Cherry Barbs and Medakas would be my suggestion despite them having been messed around with by mankind. All good looking non aggressive fish who mainly occupy different levels in my experience.
Medaka top half, cherry’s bottom half, WCMM everywhere.

Though I have been taking a greater interest in Endlers since the Xmas eve tank leak. Mrs Lurch has two tanks of em so mine also has now.

Silent cycling is the way to go. It’ll keep you occupied before fish arrive and seems less taxing on the brain.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Afternoon all,

Thank you in advance for welcoming me to fishforums.net.

I have just purchased a 200l corner tank (after watching too many episodes of Tanked) and now need to organise making my own little ecosystem.

I've done what seems like endless research over the last couple of weeks and seem to be getting more confused than more informed.

I have never kept fish before so would like some easyish to care for ones to ease myself in. I've found some fish that one place says are easy to look after only to find another website that says they have very specific needs and are not good for beginners. I would also like some live plants, from what I can tell they do wonders for the health of the aquarium but again I have got very confused about PH requirements etc.

I have super hard water in my area as well and some sites have said that I should get fish that are suited to hard water environments whilst others say that they're mostly all bread in hardish water so it doesn't matter.

From what I've researched I think a passable setup would be some Kuhli Loach, Raspbora and some gourami with some drift wood, java ferns and java moss with a sandy substrate - this is based on ease of care and ability to live together, not based on my water.

Basically all I would like is a mixture of fish that fill the water column, some plants that the fish, my water and I will like and a nice, healthy happy tank.

Any suggestions on fish, plants, substrate, filters, lights, heaters and water treatment will be very very very very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Leigh

Welcome! I'm new to the forums here but have found some amazing information AND great examples and discussions. My biggest issues have always been super-over-thinking EVERYTHING. I have been in the hobby a long time, have tons of patience but I used to chase perfect water parameters. The best advice that was given to me was to test your tap water with some solid, accurate tests and then find fish that fit your water with as few adjustments as possible. A lot are bred in hardish water, but we don't want our fish to just exist, we want them to thrive. The other thing is that good, slow acclimation PLUS consistency is ultimately more important than the perfect water. I've had amazing success with my water by being very slow and making tiny adjustments when needed vs. chasing perfection. For example, My tap pH is 7.8, gH 8 deg and kH 3 deg. If I have hard water fish (like my mollies and a certain tetra and African Cichlids), I use a little aragonite or crushed coral to buffer. I dont have many soft water fishes because even though they will be OK in my tanks with some tweaks, they don't thrive for me.

I highly recommend reviewing some fish AND non-fish resources to learn more about pH, gH, kH and how pH, temp, and water hardness play off of each other- EVEN IF you already know this. And talk to someone - don't take *ANY* advice as gospel; think about it, find multiple sources, and post as much as you can to learn more. I'm still learning tons every day.

 

[Newtofish!]

So I'm almost ready to put some water in my tank. I've ripped my Jewel Bioflow apart, put in some medium, coarse and fine sponges and a huge bag of ceramic rings. I've taken out the old T5 bulbs and put in LEDs which are good for plants. I've soaked my bogwood until the water is clear and it doesn't float. I've got a quarantine tank and some biomedia for it that can be kept in the main tank until needed. I've decided on some Vallisneria, anubias nana and java moss for my plants. My fish will eventually be 6 platys (all girls) 5 dwarf rainbow fish and 4 synodontis lucipinius if I can find them. I'll be doing a fishless cycle with soap free ammonia. I've got some sand for my substrate and some rocks to make caves and a funky fish safe skull.

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