Things to know when your starting out.

I thought a thread with one liners of info could prove quite useful for people just starting out for example.

• Plecos grow up to 2 feet they dont stay small
• Plecos destroy plants
• You need to run a filter 24/7
• Fish lose colour at night and can sometimes go translucent(i didnt know this and almost freaked out the first evening thought they were all dying)
• Water changes are required not optional
• Bottom feeders need to get supplements flakes are not enough
• If theres no algae dont get an algae eater
• etc.

 

Feed 6 days a week, and skip the seventh for healthy fish!

 

-Introduce the fish slowly, floating the bag in the water and mixing the tank water with the bag water over a period of at least 20 minutes.

-Do research on fish before trying to keep them.

-Fish bowls are not a good home for anything.

 

-nirv a beter suggestion would be to place the new fish with water into a bucket then run a drip line from your tank dripping water into the bucket very slowly (a drop a second) for atleast 40 minutes .

-don't release the fish into your tank with the water it came in

 

A good suggestion, thanks.

Another: Try to get as big a tank as possible for your first tank, as water conditions are less likely to change suddenly in the case of fish loss or overfeeding.

 

Research, research and then some....
Know fish compatabillity
Oscars and Coolie/khuli loaches are not tank mates - one is food!
Never take your first tank home, together with fish in bags!
Know that this hobby is unlike any other hobby, it's like marriage - this take commitment!

 

Decide what fish you want before buying a tank and then make the tank for those fish. this was biggest regret i had and i wish i knew that.

 

Excellent advice. Too many people buy a tank, and then realise that all they hard earned money went to a tank that cannot support the fish they really want!
+1

 

decide what species of fish you want and make the tank for those fish. don't buy any yet! I wish i knew this. Take your time when planning, i know you just want to get fish , but you won't regret taking your time!sorry did not see i posted yet still new.

 

Not all plants sold by the lfs are true aquatics stick to the basics java fern, moss, anubias, amazon sword until u no exactly wat ur looking for

 

-don't ever ever listen to pet shop salesman! take what they tell you to the internet or ask some one on the forum before you go with anything they say !

-never buy fish on impulse !

 

Good I read this thread, and the other re: what fish not to get. I was aiming at buying 2 Pangasius sharks. Lucky me hey. I still want them though, but in about 10 years time, when I have a gigantic tank. Keep up the good work guys. :blink1: