Fish Tanks

My son wants a pet fish. I think we can swing it if we get a very small fish tank with no more than 2 fishes.

My question is: where should I go to get the said aquarium and what kind of fish would be best. Something that doesn't require an excessive amount of care and doesn't die too often. (My father had to replace the fishes in mine and my sister's fish tank all the time because the fish went belly up like every 2 weeks... i didn't care but my sister was still little and would get very upset so my dad started replacing them before she would noticed. )

Also, is there a specific place a fish tank should be? By the window to get light or anything like that? How often does it need t o be cleaned and can an almost 7 year old do it?

Message edited 1/23/2012 1:06:55 AM.

Re: Fish Tanks

We always had fish growing up...I had goldfish that lasted a long time...my parents had a gourami that I swear lived for 3 years...it was a gold gourami...we used to get all our stuff from Petland...but Petco seems to have a good selection as well.

We also had a catfish or a snail in the tank to eat the algae. I loved having fish...but hated cleaning the tank. Good luck! :)

Re: Fish Tanks

If you are getting a small tank, do NOT get goldfish or gourami! That's just inhumane.

Figure each fish needs a gallon per inch. Goldfish usually more space than that.

If I were you, I would get a small tank (2-5 gallons depending on what you want) with a small filtration unit and a small heater. You then need to set it up and let it 'cycle'. Many fish die in the first 2 weeks because of cycling. Cycling is basically the natural process of ammonia to nitrates. With a new tank with a filter you'll need to change the water almost every day about 20-40% until nitrate levels level off (get a kit). Smaller tanks are harder to cycle than larger tanks. You can get a nice ten gallon tank for under $100. Important things to start out with: tank, filter (don't get underground filters), a heater, some gravel, a test kit, a cover so they don't flip out, and a siphon for cleaning.

Ammonia is the number one killer of fish in a new tank. This is why so many people talk about fish dying so easily.

If you get a small tank to start off, I suggest white clouds. They are very hearty and they survive through anything. If you have enough room in your tank after a few weeks, add a Betta fish. After a few weeks with a filter, you'll only need to change the water (20%) once a week.

I had fish for years, and one even lasted ten years! However, fish tanks are $$$.

Re: Fish Tanks

I will echo what was said above. The smaller the tank the more difficult it is to keep the water balanced. I wouldn't recommend anything under 10 gallons, personally. They make a lot of small tank kits that are 2 gallons and up but in my experience it is more difficult with them to keep the water balanced for the fish and not toxic for them!

I have had great luck with 10 gallon tanks. You can get a good filter and heater for them also. A hood with a light is also nice, especially since your 7 year old will want to look in a lot.

Set it up as far away from a window as possible. The light on the top will be enough. More algea will grow if it is near a window so you are better off putting it further away.

As far as fish, if you went with a 10gallon tank, you could essentially have 10 fish in there....BUT...I'd recommend starting with 2-3.

And like the PP said, let the water cycle for about 2 weeks before you put the fish in there. It may be torture for your boy to watch his empty tank for 2 weeks, but it will be better for the life of the fish in the long run.

As far as cleaning---you can get a syphon-type gravel vacuum. They are easy to use. You syphon vac the gravel to clean the tank, which will also remove water that can be refilled. You can do this about once a month. I honestly did it a lot less often and my fish were always fine. You can also get brushes to clean down the tank walls. Getting a "sucker" fish like a Pleco will also help with the algea because they will naturally eat it.

I love neons. They are tiny, less then an inch long, but colorful and pretty. They like to be in groups. They are a nice fish to start off with and you can put 4-5 into a 10 gallon tank along with a Pleco easily. If I were starting off a tank for my 6yo dd now, I'd probably start with something like that after the 2 week cycle!

Re: Fish Tanks

Also...I just took my girl scout troop on a tour of PetSmart last week and one interesting thing the guide told us about the fish---their stomach is the size of one of their eyeballs! I never knew that! That's why it is so important that you don't overfeed them. Just some interesting factoid that I just learned and thought I'd pass on!

Re: Fish Tanks

Oh and to add, don't let the pet store talk you into buying more filter medium. You don't need to change this! If you change it, you'll tank will go through the cycle process again. Just rinse it out in tank water you've just siphoned out- never under tap water.

Message edited 1/23/2012 8:28:13 AM.

Re: Fish Tanks

I think all the advice above is fantastic! I grew up with fish tanks and went through an obsessive phase when we lived in an apartment that could only have fish. (we had 4 fishtanks in a one bedroom apt ) Anyway, if you get a 10 gallon tank with heater and a filter, a GREAT fish to start with are neon tetras and/or zebra fish. They are VERY hardy fish and fun to watch. Plus 1 small catfish to clean the uneaten food out of the gravel.

ETA: We always used zebras to cycle the tank, it makes the process go faster. Buy a test kit and use it daily or every other day and you will know when the ph is safe. The zebras would survive the cycling process 90% of the time.

Message edited 1/23/2012 10:38:37 AM.

Re: Fish Tanks

ekkk it always scares me when ppl want to give their kids a fish tank... poor fish...


anyway.. if you must... nothing under 10 gal.... the bigger the tank the easier the maintenance.

Tank, heater, filter, hood w light... pretty much all you need.

and dont listen to the kids at petco, you can not cycle a tank in under 2 hrs no matter what chemical they sell you to pour in there!! I would suggest a fishless cycle.. you can read a whole lot

Here!!

aquariumadvice.com has a LOT of great people with really solid knowledge!

Re: Fish Tanks

Thank you, all, for the great advice. Lots of fish lovers here. :)

Unfortunately, anything over 3-5 gallons is completely out of the question for us due to major space limitation. So, the smaller the better. I plan on getting a small fish tank for his rom and getting him used to being responsible and keeping a schedule of feeding the fish and cleaning the tank.

My son's birthday is not untll April so I still have some time to do my research and talk to other parents about the whole experiment!

Thank you again for all the useful info!

Re: Fish Tanks

make sure he doesnt over feed... i would keep the food where it is accessible to you and NOT to him.... fish can go several days with out eating... and consider the size of the tank you are getting... i would feed now more then 2-3 times a week and only as much food as the fish can finish in under 5 min...... any more will go uneaten, settle in the substrate and just cause major PH swings and ammonia spikes....

look into Seachem Prime for conditioning your tap water....

i would strongly suggest you sign up for the message boards i posted earlier and ask, ask, ask!!! Its a whole other world...

Keep in mind you are trying to maintain an entire eco system in a box in your sons room....

My 90 Gal planted... for inspiration!

Message edited 6/7/2012 3:38:27 PM.

Re: Fish Tanks

Message edited 1/28/2012 6:14:51 PM.

Re: Fish Tanks

Posted by WhatNow
Hahaha, Andrewz00, do you have any kids? 'Cause I think you woud make for a good parent!: you look RIGHT into the core of the issue!

And that ocean in a glass box sure is impressive!!!

Re: Fish Tanks

I'm curious if people have the plasma mounted tanks and if they're good. We had huge tank growing up, one was salt water. I would really like to have one for DS but our house is small.