Any kit recommendations?

[judya]

Oh, man, I hate computers sometime - I just wrote a long note, and it didn't post......

Recommendations - if you get a store kit, get a hang on filter, not an undergravel; get fluorescent lights, not incandescent; and get a better rather than the cheapest heater - because the heater has to be reliable.

Get an inexpensive pH test kit, and determine your pH before you get fish. Test it right out of the tap, then test it after it sits for 24 hours. Buy fish that match the water conditions you have, rather than trying to adjust the water to the fish. Lower pH (acidic- under 7.0) would be tetras, rasboras, and higher pH fish would be livebearers such as guppies, platies.

If you want livebearers but no babies, you can buy all males, and they tend to be more colorful than the females. The under fin on the male is pencil shaped pointing toward the tail, females have a fan shaped one.

My best recommendation for a beginner and that size tank would be one or two groups of schooling fish, such as tetras, danios, rasboras, and a small group of corydoras catfish - I love cories! Get 6 or more of each type in the school, rather than 1 or 2 fish of many types.

I don't recommend cichlids (angelfish, apistogrammas, kribensis, rams, etc.) for a beginner as they can be aggressive, and many get too big for that size tank.

I do recommend some live plants, especially the easy ones - java moss, java fern.

I don't recommend the hex tank, as it is difficult to decorate or catch fish in due to its height, and you want the biggest length and width in relation to height so there is more swimming space. Get the biggest tank you can afford, and remember weight - 8 pounds per gallon, so the stand and floor need to be up to it.

[judya]

For stocking numbers, for small fish like tetras, the standard is one inch of fish, not counting tail, per gallon. This is based on estimated adult size, and most fish at stores are still young. Cory catfish get 2-3 inches, tetras and guppies about an inch each. If you had 3 cories = 6-9 inches. A school of 6 tetras = 6-9 inches, a school of 6 rasboras 6-9 inches. Those three groups you're at 18-27 inches. Add a couple of otocinclus algae eaters, and you're close to maxed out. Be aware of that and don't get carried away in the buying. These numbers are approximate, and depend on how much and how good the filter is, doing regular partial water changes, not overfeeding. After a tank is well-cycled (several months), you might be able to get a few more than that.

Also stock gradually over several months, so the tank cycling has a chance to keep up. One hardy schooling fish are zebra danios, and they are an active fish, so you get lots of movement early on.

[cheseboy]

Freshwater is definitely cheaper than saltwater! I have a 20 gallon tank with a 10 sump and that setup is already worth 700$. Haven't even got one fish in yet as for the fish that you put in may I suggest a freshwater shrimp. They are very interesting and you can usually find them at all mom and pops type pet stores.

[locojay]

Shrimp are a lot of fun. I added my two amano's a few weeks ago and they're great.

[Jaynee]

thanks for the add'l info over the weekend. We were moving into our new house so I was only able to check the boards today at work.

Tonight my DD and I will be heading to the pet store to look at aquarium kits. My aquarium fund has really only just begun so I may not even be able to buy the tank today - besides, it'll be a while before I actually set it up since my house is still a sea of moving boxes.

I'm not worried about water weight since our house is on a slab and the tank will be on the main floor. And whatever stand I get will be specifically for heavy aquariums.

Hopefully in a couple weeks I'll have something to show for my new hobby interest.

[joe kool]

where at in SC? I grew up and have got family and visit the columbia/lugoff/elgin/camden area.

as far as the nano cubes they are expensive but that oceanic kit you were looking at is a good kit. mostly they are over filtered (a good thing) as far as FW is concerned anyway and that will make your maintenance requirements easier. Yes you don't get the "upgrade-ability" that you might if you piece everything together BUT most of the oceanic kits come with PC lighting now and the better ones with the moon lights as well ( a very nice feature for night viewing and pretty good mood lighting to boot if the feeling hits ya LOL) They might be a little pricy but again you are paying for some convienice as well. they have the whole filter built into the tank no external nothing. most even have a hidden area for the heater as well so from the fron of the tank you see nothing but your beautiful inhabitants, no heater, lift tubes or power heads visible. Most just have a solid colored back that the water over flows (another nice feature as it keeps the "oil slick" (protine build up) common on some freshwater setups with little surface agitation from forming) into the back filtration area. PC lighting should be more than adequate for most of your low - mid light level plants in a tank that size as well. If you piece it together you could pay $75 or more just for a good light strip for a 29 gal. not to mention the HOB filter or canister, etc.

[Jaynee]

I'm just south of Charlotte, in York County about an hour north of Columbia.