Hi everyone, wow, so much information, i'm about ready to get started, have looked into aquariums and almost settled on a 32g one.. i'm now trying to get more info about aquascaping, and the basics in getting my setup.. any youtube videos or useful links you'd recommend as a starting point? really appreciate the help!
Where to start
- Thread starter PeteC
- Start date
Hi welcome to the hobby and the forum 
I would recommend looking up fishless cycling if you are doing your first tank. Its always important to make growing a bacteria colony in your filter the first thing you do. If you are looking to go down the heavily planted route you could also look at doing a silent cycle which allows you to add fish a bit quicker but you need to be growing fast growing plants well before you think about adding fish.
For aquascaping Im a big fan of George Farmer so would recommend his YouTube channel as a good starting point, he has also just down a pod cast which is well worth listening to if you are starting out too. With aquascaping it is important to decide if you want to go down the high tech or the low tech route. Amazing results can be achieved with both but it will effect which equipment, plants and fish you buy so is an important decision.
For other youtube channels it really depends on what you want to see, the pro aquascapers like Filipe Olivera, Juris Jutjajves, Green Aqua, Aqua Design Amano are really interesting I also really like Tank Tested. If you want general fish keeping I like Aquarium Co-Op or if you like cichlids Lee Nuttal and Jim Cummings are fantastic channels
Wills
I would recommend looking up fishless cycling if you are doing your first tank. Its always important to make growing a bacteria colony in your filter the first thing you do. If you are looking to go down the heavily planted route you could also look at doing a silent cycle which allows you to add fish a bit quicker but you need to be growing fast growing plants well before you think about adding fish.
For aquascaping Im a big fan of George Farmer so would recommend his YouTube channel as a good starting point, he has also just down a pod cast which is well worth listening to if you are starting out too. With aquascaping it is important to decide if you want to go down the high tech or the low tech route. Amazing results can be achieved with both but it will effect which equipment, plants and fish you buy so is an important decision.
For other youtube channels it really depends on what you want to see, the pro aquascapers like Filipe Olivera, Juris Jutjajves, Green Aqua, Aqua Design Amano are really interesting I also really like Tank Tested. If you want general fish keeping I like Aquarium Co-Op or if you like cichlids Lee Nuttal and Jim Cummings are fantastic channels
Wills
Jamesthecat
Fish Crazy
Hi and welcome. If youve got an idea of what sort of tank your thinking of doing i.e planted, minimalist, cichlid etc then Google is your friend.
Be thoughful with your search string ie I would use “ Tank aquascaping+ cichlid+Malawi+ artificial plants“
There’s loads of channels on you tube and i regularly do the google search then scroll through the images section. Download any I think are good or i like elements of and save them in a folder - i can then sketch out what i want to do
Be thoughful with your search string ie I would use “ Tank aquascaping+ cichlid+Malawi+ artificial plants“
There’s loads of channels on you tube and i regularly do the google search then scroll through the images section. Download any I think are good or i like elements of and save them in a folder - i can then sketch out what i want to do
Hi! Welcome! Starting with a 30+ gallon tank is an amazing way to get into the hobby! It will save you from a lot of the craziness of water parameter fluctuations that happen in a smaller tank. I agree with everyone about the nitrogen cycle, the sticky post in the "cycling a tank" forum on this site is a good read as well. If you're a book type of person, I just got a hunch of great recommendations from folks in a post I made yesterday (you should be able to find it by clicking my name and selecting "threads" or something, I forget what the tabs is called exactly. Sorry I would link you but I'm on my phone.
One last tip if you haven't considered this: aquariums and supplies have virtually no resale value for some reason (at least in my area) so depending on what you are looking for you can check out fb marketplace and craigslist for pretty much anything you might need to buy, and can save a chunk of cash. I'm setting up a 125 gallon and I'm projecting that when all is said and done I'll have spent a little more than what my LFS quoted me on for a new 50 gallon setup, and that is with buying a new aquarium (everything else is used).
Excited to have a new person in the hobby!!
One last tip if you haven't considered this: aquariums and supplies have virtually no resale value for some reason (at least in my area) so depending on what you are looking for you can check out fb marketplace and craigslist for pretty much anything you might need to buy, and can save a chunk of cash. I'm setting up a 125 gallon and I'm projecting that when all is said and done I'll have spent a little more than what my LFS quoted me on for a new 50 gallon setup, and that is with buying a new aquarium (everything else is used).
Excited to have a new person in the hobby!!
Thank you so much for the feedback
@Wills - ok great will be looking at several of those!
@Jamesthecat - Ha, not really set on type of aquarium, will look into those
@Utar - Perfect, thank you!
@mcordelia - Perfect, found that thread. Appreciate the feedback, truly feels like i found a treasure in this community
@Wills - ok great will be looking at several of those!
@Jamesthecat - Ha, not really set on type of aquarium, will look into those
@Utar - Perfect, thank you!
@mcordelia - Perfect, found that thread. Appreciate the feedback, truly feels like i found a treasure in this community
My first tank just had a couple of swordtails in it. Then my second tank....., and then my third tank...... You first tank is unlikely to be your last tank so don't over think it. Just enjoy.
Lajos_Detari
Fish Herder
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Some info for you:
Aquascaping for Beginners: 10 Helpful Tips - Aquascaping Love
Aquascaping for beginners: 10 helpful tips that will guide you in making your transition towards aquascaping a little smoother.
aquascapinglove.com
Something no-one has mentioned yet - find out how hard your tap water is. Your water provider's website should have that information somewhere on its website. Fish need hard or soft or middling water and should be chosen so that their hardness requirements match your tap water. Some plants do better in hard or soft water so they need to be matched as well.
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