shopping list

[Ted H]

As a total newbie to keeping fish whilst I await delivery of a stand for my tank can anyone suggest what should be on my shopping list to enable to get me started. I heard lots about different chemicals, etc etc but which ones do i realy need to get started .. and what other miscelanious items do i need. ( a net perhaps ). Maybe a list would help me and other newcomers..
I do have the obvious .a tank . filter, gravel, ornaments... but what else is on the tropical fish keepers must have list .

 

[Spat_si]

Tap water condioner
net
thermometer
differnt types of food
water test kit - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph....
gravel cleaner
heater

theres probably more buti just got off midnights and i am really tired.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

- Water conditioner (something to deal with chlorine/chloromines and metals)
- fish net (get the largest one that you can comfortably use in your tank)
- food, at least two kinds for variety. Frozen foods are optional, but great for the fish
- Test kit (Ammonia and nitrite are the only necessary ones, but you may want to see how what your PH and KH look like. (note: you can skip the test kit and have your lfs test the water instead)
- background (not only for aesthetics, but for fish security as well)
- decoration (although you do have some, make sure you have enough for the fish you wil be keeping, some like more cover then others)
- The gravel cleaner can be worked into your water changes by getting one on a syphon hose.
- I don't know how big your tank is, but for anything over 30 gallons a Python hose is the handiest tool you'll ever use!

*You do not need any 'chemicals'. The only additive you need is water conditioner. Most of those products are designed to bring in more profit, but except under specific circumstances are a waste of money.

 

[TheWaterBoy]

Ammonia as well if you plan on doing a fishless cycle. Be sure to get a kind with no fragrance or additives. It should be colorless. Shake it and make sure there are no suds.

 

[Dwarfs]

You could get a timer for your tank light to save some hastle

 

[Ted H]

Thats great ... thaks for your advice guys .... anyone any other ideas ? Any other misc. items you wouldnt be without. .. from what I've read, I've added a bucket to the list ... clearly marked "FISH" .. so it doesnt get contaminated !

 

[Nina7777]

The bucket was a good thing. I also a 20 gallon rubber maid tote if your tank is 30 gallons or more! It helps tremednously when doing water changes as you don't have to keep stopping and switching buckets.

And how about an air pump with bubble wand or ornament? I don't think that was mentioned. It helps break up the surface so you don't get that filmy stuff up top!

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW TANK! Your gonna luv it!

 

[Sang72]

How bout some medicine, I keep a bottle of Melafix handy for emergency treatments.

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

Make sure the bucket is made of food grade plastic so it won't leach any contaminants into the new water you use for water changes. Those sold by home brew shops are safe.

Algae scraper?

 

[jeef]

you don't want to use medicines for most bottom feeders (Corys, plecos etc.)
they don't take it too well

if you get ich in your tank (whitespot), just change 25% of the water every day, and keep the temperature around 80 degrees.

that's what I have done in the past, it worked fine

sure it's a pain in the ass

but if you only have mollys, platys and such then use the medifix.


also, do you have a filter?

Wal-mart is usually cheapest for filters, heaters and other hardware

not the best place for the actual fish though

I have a Whisper 20-40 in my 33 gallon, I picked it up for $25 canadian ($1.50 American, hahahah) and I've had no problems with it


good luck dude(tte)

fish are awesome
they will get very addictive

 

[jeef]

nevermind, you already have a filter

wow I'm stupid

 

[sunbot]

Hello

Hi m8 just like me 3 months ago and i still aint got all the ting so this post has helped me too im not going to bother putting anything on your list.Because some other members.Have done that for me pluse i cant think of anything that they have missed.

1 thing i would suergest thoguh would be to look at the tank evry now and then just to see if any fish are getting bullied in the tank allso get lots of plants and rocks that they can hide in or under.Get a background as well make tank look more real .

If your not sure on anything go to biggers questions the hyperlink on the forums page.

good luck m8 i hope iv help you alittle bit and thanks for helping me cya around

 

[Bol]

- I don't know how big your tank is, but for anything over 30 gallons a Python hose is the handiest tool you'll ever use!

I second that, but I'd probably say "anything over 10 gallons".

 

[vantgE]

I thinking sooner or later you gonna need an algae magnet or scraper, but some people i think get lucky and have no algae problems, unlike me

 

[Ted H]

So lets collate all the suggestions so far ..........

After your tank , gravel, ornaments and choice of filter system (and air pump ).the following has been suggested to have in a beginners fish keeping kit .

Tap water conditioner

Water test kit to test . Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and Ph

Heater

Thermometer

A gravel cleaner

Algae scraper

Bucket. (possibly two)

Suitable sized net .

Maybe a good book... and this web site address !!!

I would think that this would be good enough and at a reasonable cost for a newcommer, I'd guess that more could be added as experience and need grows .


Thanks for all your suggestions ........and are are there any other ideas ???