What are these?

[Y2J]

Im going to the pet store tomorrow to get a tank, filter, air pump, fluorescent light, heater, water test kit, sand(or gravel), De-chlorinator, fish net and plants.

Someone i asked said i need tap safe, aqua safe, tonic salt.. i ve never seen these words..what are they/do i need?

And have i missed anything - this my first tank

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i would presume the dechlorinator would be the same as "tap safe"... since you will just be cycling the tank for the next few weeks, you can hold off on the other chemicals (except the test kit!)

i'd also wait on the plants until your ammonia-nitrite bacteria are established. plants generally prefer to use ammonia over nitrate for food and so will compete with the bacteria you're wanting to colonize. of course, if you're willing to wait longer, all the extra ammonia is likely to result in extra lush plants so... its a trade off.

also, don't be tempted to cheat with "bacterial" products. very few actually contain any live bacteria and even fewer contain the type of bacteria you're wanting to grow. take a look at them; you'll notice a certain lack of expiration dates. isn't that odd since they're supposed to contain living things that require a steady flow of oxygen to survive?

 

[Y2J]

I'm looking at alot of different types of fish at the moment at another site, when the time comes to put fish in is a 20 gallon tank big enough for a Red Tailed Black Shark? it saids they grow to 12cms

 

[pica_nuttalli]

eh... probably not. the fish index here says to keep in at least a 3ft long tank. i don't think any of the sharks can be kept in anything less than a 30gal.

 

[Y2J]

eh... probably not. the fish index here says to keep in at least a 3ft long tank. i don't think any of the sharks can be kept in anything less than a 30gal.

Ah right ta think i ll get a bigger tank.. i havent looked around this site yet - just the beginner questions forum. I will check out the fish index here tomorrow

 

[foty89]

Make sure you read the sticky threads on how to start a new tank and being new to aquariums.

As far as a bigger tank, go for it. They are actually easier to keep up.

55 gallon setups can be had cheaply. Well, relatively that is, about $200 to $250. I say relatively because I am putting up a 120 gallon with a stand and canopy and we are talking about several times that amount.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

yeah, if you can afford it at all and can spare the space and extra utility bills, go on ahead and grab that bigger tank! very few people are happy long-term with a 20 or even a 30. the more you dig into this hobby, the more interesting things you find that you want to buy. and most of the interesting things need Space.