Setting up a tank.

[cichlidlord]

Alright, in the past ive gotten fish and raised them fine... but not fulley healthy. I mean my past fish stay alive... to a certain extent. They normally become retarded like, they start to loose color, and arent that fun to watch... Because I dont set up there tank correctly from the beggining. I mean, my tanks consist of... gravel... and a piece of wood with a filter... thats about it. No lights, no backgrounds, just a stand. They normally eat fine... but they just dont act correctly. I do fine with cichlids, but normally all other fish I own.. really... kinda... get like sick, but still live, arent active much, dont really eat all that much, arent very fun to watch, like ive said.

Now, im thinking of getting a new aqua system, ya know a new tank with new fish and start it off right from the beggining (ya know, adding the de-chlorinated 24 hours before I get my fish and stuff) in the past ive just gotten water, dropped some drops in it, really thats all, and poured it in with my fish immediatly after.
But I want to get soemthing and do it right for a change.
I really need some info on how to go abotu setting up a tank correctly from the start..
I really need to know what small fish... like 3 or 4 fish that can fit in a 15 gallon tank. What type of fish, I know theres guppies, there pretty fish but they breed too much for my liking... Are there any small fish, not SMALL small, in he range of 2-4 that can fit and live happily in about a 15 gallon tank.
I need to know what to do from the start.
Like should I put in de-chorlinater drops, some of those ick remover, medicene stuff, all the nessecary fish water cleaner drops and pills a day before hand then go get my fish?
Should I decorate my tank nicely, fill it with good gravel, get some nice plants, some hiding spots, a good aqaurium light, ya know.
I really need to know all the steps, cause, im really thinking about setting a new tank up with new fish, correctly, right from the start!

I was thinking maybe some dwarf pikes... or some dwarf puffers....
I like fish that can eat or even rip up a feeder fish, and do it in like a pack, but they have to be small!

 

[keeper-of-fish]

yhea man it sounds like u got some good ideas about the pikes im also thinking of getting one. any ways to start out your fish tank u must MUST! cycle it ,its a long proccess and i dont feel like writeing a book because others have posted on how to cycle.also put all the stuff in the tank make sure u have a filter/heater and buy a test kit buy a TEST KIT! lol to test ammonia nitrate and nitrite levels and also get a ph tester and then your pritty good from there by the sounds of your above postand research/ask questions here lol

 

[cichlidlord]

ok, thanks fo someone finally replying! hehe

 

[keeper-of-fish]

yhea i dont know why know one replied lol mabe u made to long of a post
any more questions?

 

[kent]

Like should I put in de-chorlinater drops, some of those ick remover, medicene stuff, all the nessecary fish water cleaner drops and pills a day before hand then go get my fish?

Dont put medicine or ick remover when u dont really need it..Why do something unneccessary..but yeah, U have to cycle it first and go from there...

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I think the whole talk of liking fish that rip other fish apart turned a few people off, me on the other hand, am happy to read this. Of course, now I have to find out what dwarf pike are like, because you peaked my interest.... I think you'll be okay with setting up the tank, just cycle and treat the water and all that crap...

 

[a1wonder]

What I suggest you do is plan ahead. Figure out now what fish you want for your new tank and make the proper arrangements. Certain fish like puffers require caves and hiddi places, while other require a serious planted environment. A background will not help your tank. It sounds as though you are just letting the water set for 24 hours and then throwing your fish in. The tank needs to cycle which usually takes about a month to do. Certain fish are hardy than others but others, well by the sounds of it a few of your pervious fish were killed during the cycling process (it's very toxic and deadly the majority of tropical fish). I agree with Kent don't add medication without a problem being there in the first place. It will throw off your ammonia levels (and in some cases ph).