http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#1 Hi all! I’m new to aquarium and I need some help. At first, I want a freshwater one. 1) Which species are the best? I want some peaceful and some living plants. 2) Which lighting do you recommend me? 3) Do I need any substrate? 4) What is the best size for my tank? I don’t want anything huge, however I don’t want anything small too. Maybe 100 - 200 litres? 5) How about further maintenance? 6) Do I have to buy any automated equipment? E.g. feeder, or so. 7) Which heater and filter is the best? 8) Open or closed aquarium? Thanks in advance! Ed original post: December 14, 2006, 3:10 pm anonymous 2008-04-30 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#2 Hello, Answers: 1) You should buy compatible fish species like Guppies, Mollies, probably Angelfish, Catfish, Cories. All depending on the tank size!!! Plants: Cryptocoryne, Anubias or Vallisneria. 2) Lighting heavily depends on the tank size. Use some aquarium calculator. In my experience, more light = happy plants. However, some fish do like subdued light. 3) Substrate is required! Buy some fine gravel. Make sure that your substrate’s dimensions are at least 5 cm in height. Otherwise, you’ll not plant your plants and/or fish will uprrot them. 4) Buy a tank which will be large enough for your fish. If you want to keep Angelfish, use at least 80 x 40x 50 cm tank (W x L x H). Shoal fish usually don’t need 1 litre per 1 cm of their length. 5) Exchange 10% of water once per week. Maybe you’ll need to do it always, maybe the conditions will get stable. Don’t use many decorations, since it will make your maintenance harder than without it. 6) Any automated equpiment isn’t required if you’re able to take care of your fish on a daily basis. 7) Buy internal filters at first. I use Atman and Aquael. I use Sicce heater. Heaters aren’t required if the temperature in your room doesn’t fall lower than 22 °C. 8) If you’re very beginner, use closed-top aquarium. As time goes by, you will probably switch to open ones . I hope it will help you a bit. Feel free to ask me anything else . anonymous 2008-04-30 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#3 Even though the previous post is enough, I’d like to give you my opinion : 1) Buy Bristlenose catfish and Swordtails + these plants: Vallisneria Spiralis and some Cryptocoryne, possibly Java moss. 2) I use Aqua-glo lighting. This web site offers you to use the calculator, so you can easily calculate what power do you need. 3) Substrate is very useful. About 5-6 cm of substrate will help you to root the plants . 4) Tank size - For example, buy a tank of 120-160 litres. It will be good for you if you’re beginner. You will enjoy it . 5) Future maintenance will be required at least in the beginning. First 1-3 months will be full of work (rooting the uproot plants, removing rocks, decoration). 6) You don’t need any feeder if you’re able to feed your fish at least once per 1-2 days. Heater, lighting, filter are enough. Timer would be a plus. 7) The best heater is that one which can heat the water according to your tank size. That calculator mentioned above also calculates recommended power for your filter. 8) Closed-top aquarium is good for a beginner. Maybe you’ll switch to open aquariums later . Ben anonymous 2008-04-30 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#4 Thanks for your posts guys , here is the link to the calculator: http://www.aqua-fish.net/index.php?cur_lang=2&count=no&secured=&section=51. jan 2008-04-30 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#5 Thank you guys. I bought following: 18x Guppy male, 6x Guppy female, 4x Bristlenose catfish. I also have 120 litres tank, so I will see if more fish are necessary. Everything looks gr8 . Naturally, other things are: 1. Black/gray substrate; fine gravel 2. Atman lighting, 70 Watt 3. 120 Watt heater Tank is top-closed. anonymous 2008-04-30 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=want-some-aquarium#6 I have to ask,did you add all of these fish in one go? Has your tank cycled ? Don't think you will need to buy anymore fish if you have added male and female guppies together they breed like rabbits. mickey 2008-05-01