Thinking About an Aquarium? Please read....?

Question

I want an Aquarium, a rather small one but definately not tiny, i would like about 5 small fish in there, i would prefer salt water, but is salt water a lot of work over a fresh water aquarium? i know a pretty good amount about fish so i would not be irresponsible, but i want to know if it is a LOT of work. I have basketball practice Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 6-7, and Games for 1 hour either Saturday or Sunday. I am at school every day Monday-Friday for i think 6 or 8 hours. And i do like to have a lot of free time, but i would be willing to give it up for a fish tank. Also, when basketball is over, i am in another program year round every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8. I have a fair amount of homework only about 40 minutes max. Please tell me if i will have enough time to take care of a fish aquarium and whether i should choose a saltwater tank or freshwater, which is easiest? thank you. ♥

Answer 1

I work 50-60 hrs. a week and make time for 3 saltwater tanks, 2 freshwater, and an assortment of reptiles & amphibians, so I think you'll do okay timewise.

Freshwater is easier (and cheaper) to set up, and I spend about the same amount of time on each for upkeep. The biggest differences are the amount of necessary equipment (you'll need things like a hydrometer, salt, possibly protein skimmer and better lighting for salt, depending on what animals you want to get into), you can keep as many fish in marine tanks (the personalities are more aggressive and they are territorial, so they need to be more spread out), and the fish generally cost more in salt. But, if you choose well, there are saltwater fish that are almost as easy as freshwater fish! Both should have a weekly cleaning and water change of around 20-30% of the water volume and be tested for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. In saltwater, you'll also need to test for these, plus calcium and alkalinity depending on what you would be keeping.

I would recommend starting with at least a 29-30 gallon tank, although a 55 would be better. The larger the tank, the more stable the water chemistry and temperature will be, and this is important because marine fish don't do well with changes in their environment. If you decide to go saltwater, start with just fish for a while, then as you can always add other things (invertebrates, corals, etc.) as you gain experience.

IMO, the best place to start is with some research. Investigate some of the fish (fresh and saltwater) that you might like to keep. See what conditions they need (pH, salinity, adult fish size, required tank size, ease of keeping) and go from there. Even the most experienced fish keepers need to know this!

A good book or two will help you immensely if you decide to try saltwater. I personally used "The New Marine Aquarium" by Michael S. Paletta when I started. It gives good info (and options) on how to set up a tank, fish and their personalities (ease of keeping, who can go together, what they eat, if they're safe with corals & inverts). You might want to do the research now and save the tank set-up for when your basketball season is over (and you'll have more afterschool time to go fish "shopping".

In the meantime, here are some websites that you can look into for saltwater tanks for those just beginning the hobby:
http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/00home_saltdept.htm
http://www.liveaquaria.com/

Answer 2

If you can give up about 30 minutes to 1 hour of your time 1 day a week, you can do it. Saltwater is not all that much more work, as long as you take care of the tank. But if you have a small tank, you are not going to keep 5 fish(depending on how small) Anything under 20 gallons will only hold 1 fish, maybe 2 if you find small enough fish. If you want mroe fish, you would be better off going with freshwater.

Answer 3

freshwater is easier and cheaper. if you like a little more challenge and have the money go with saltwater -- but in general you need a bigger tank and a lot more equipment.

i keep a lot of bettas in small tanks and they require about the same amount of work -- on a weekly basis you need to wipe down the insides of the tank vacuum the gravel wash off your decorations and replace about 25% of the water. when you get good at it its about 20 minutes a week -- not a big deal.

there are many different ways you could set up a little ecosystem in your tank and make it more interesting for yourself. do some research on fish to find out what fish might interest you most

here is great site to do some fish research on fresh and salt water -- and aquatic plants too!


http://www.aquahobby.com/e_home.php

Answer 4

Forget about salt water fish. They need a lot of care and expensive equipment. Don't get a goldfish or a cichlid tropical,they need lots of room. You can get a betta (siamese fighting fish),only 1 male per tank or tank section with a divider. A few females would be good,too. Neon tetras, at least 6 with perhaps some black neons,whiteclouds,rasboras,are fairly simple to take care of and you'll enjoy relaxing while watching them and showing the tank to your friends. A 10-gallon set -up would be a good idea if you want several small community fish. A small little tank is good for a betta.
You'll have to do water changes every week or two, feed them every day once or twice,clean out the filter about twice a month ,or more ,if needed.

Answer 5

No doubt you can do fine with either type of tank, but if this is your fish aquarium and since you say you want a smaller tank, I would stringly suggest you stick wth freshwater at least at first. Saltwater is a bit more complicated and takes just a little bit more time. I would also encourage you to get at least a 10 gallon tank. Smaller is harder to keep than lrger believe it or not.

MM

Answer 6

first of all i recommend you to buy aquarium about 40-60Lit res also fresh water will be better,you also can buy special TETRA AQUA EASY BALANCE or TETRA AQUA CRYSTAL WATER it will help you,you will be able to change water only twice a year ... also if you decide to buy fishes like blue neon(Paracheirodon innesi),Barbus tetrazona,Pterophyllum scalare ,Xiphophorus maculatus, but remember that this fishes like 27 C temperature,but if you want to have cold wather fishes than buy Carassius auratus (golden fish) they like 8-20C...and dond give them too much food,they must eat it in 3minutes maximum,if there will be a lot of food,you'll be able to clean your aquarium more than 2 times a year,but don't forget to give your fishes food twice a day,in the morning and evening...

Answer 7

Choppy is as choppy does, and on a Sea of snow, so often goes this kind of flow. I like the GAR rhyme, but have kept them, and they outgrow a tank rapidly. (Hmmm) perhaps an analogy in that? For me it never snows, but for someone I care for, the drifts often grow, as in the North Country, winters winds do blow. To be housebound need not only mean snowed in, though certainly I get it as patience wears thin, when cabin fever does push all my levers, and demands I dip my toes in some sand. Talk about Choppy, :) Works for me, may you set yerself free Steven Wolf just my two "sense"

Answer 8

i think you could get either but freshwater is easier.