Is it a lot of responsibility to keep a tank of fish? 10 pts to be awarded...?

Question

I have been considering buying a small glass aquarium for a few fish, but I have a few questions/concerns.
Firstly, how often do you have to clean the tank? Secondly, how much does an average tank cost (a smaller one to fit 3 - 5 fish)?
10 points will be awarded to anyone that can help me with this question. If you give me any extra tips when it comes to having an aquarium, you may be more likely to receive a best answer and it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

First your questions: You should clean a tank once a week, it usually will tank about 30-45 minutes for a smaller tank and a bit longer as you get into larger tanks. AS for the cost, it will really vary based on what size you want and it varies depending on where you live, but a complete set up kit for a 10 gallon from Wal-mart, Petco, Petsmart or similar place would be well under $100

Some tips: The biggest tip I can give you after keeping fish for over 30 years is before you buy your tank, buy a book! It will be well worth the money and will be a great resource for years to come. While the internet can also be great for info, there is also bad info out there on the net, you can't take the internet to the store with you when you want to buy fish, and you can't ask about emergencies when your internet connection is down or your power is out.

I would also suggest you get at least a 10 gallon tank. Smaller one's are available and can be really cool, but they have very limited options and require more skill and knowledge to properly maintain than a 10 gallon or larger. In truth, the larger the tank, the easier it is to care for and the more forgiving of mistakes.

Invest in a good gravel siphon. They are only a few dollars but will make your water changes far easier and will help you do a much better job of cleaning the tank.

Read, read , read! Read a lot about aquarium keeping before you even buy your tank, much less your first fish. Books, websites, everything you can. That way you can be sure you are getting the right equipment for your needs and you can read up on some of the fish you like to make sure you can care for them properly in your tank and that they go together. Knowledge is power and that's the difference in sucess and failure.

Be committed to doing your weekly water changes. That is probably the single most important thing to keeping a healthy aquarium with happy fish.

Hope this helps you make up your mind :)

MM

Answer 2

A ten gallon would be the smallest I'd go, but you'll get more flexibility fom a 20 gallon, especially a 20 "long". A ten gallon will cost about $8-10 for just the tank, a 20 gallon will be closer to $30-35. You'll also need a filter, heater (unless you will be keeping goldfish), dechlorinator, and food, and you may want gravel, lighting, and decorations. You can buy a "kit" at WalMarts and some other stores that will include the tank, light, filter, food, and dechlorinator. The "kit" will save you a little money, so look between $50-100, depending on the size you choose. You'll still need a heater (~$20), gravel ($10-25), and decorations (???). I'd also suggest a gravel vacuum and long-handled algae scraper for cleaning (~$15-20).

First, I'd recommend researching fish in which you're interested. Find out their adult sizes, temperature requirements, compatibility, etc. and plan your tank size around the fish - not the other way around. This may take a few trips to fish/pet stores in your area to see what you like, or using a fish website to find information.

Once you've decided, you'll want to cycle your tank - that is, develop a beneficial bacterial population that will detoxify ammonia and nitrite in your tank. I'll provide a link on how to do this. Once you've done this, you can start adding fish.

You can decorate the tank while it's cycling. You can add driftwood, aquarium-safe rock, and plants (real, plastic, or silk). The more places your fish have to hide, the more comfortable they'll be.

Start with just a few, and add small groups so your population grows gradually. It's best to add the smallest, shiest, and peaceful fish first - this way they get to know their way around the tank and know escape routes and hiding spots when larger, more boisterous fish are added.

Acclimate new fish to your tank by floating their bags on the water for 15 minutes so the temperature adjusts. Open the bag and discard 1/4 the water (never add water from the store to your tank - you'll be less likely to introduce diseases and parasites). Replace the water with water from your tank and wait a few minutes. If you do this a few times, your fish will adjust to your water chemistry. Finally, net your fish and release it into your tank. An even better method would be to use a second small tank to quarantine new fish for a few weeks so they don't introduce anything to the healthy fish you already have.

When you feed, give what your fish will eat in 2-3 minutes, no more than twice a day. If you overfeed, use a net to scoop out any food that's uneaten after 3 minutes.

Use an algae scraper when necessary, and change about 25% of the tank's volume every week to keep the tank clean and the fish healthy.

Lastly, don't forget to watch your fish and enjoy the tank!

Here are some websites for more info:
http://www.fishlore.com/
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/
http://www.firsttankguide.net/
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm
http://www.klsnet.com/files/fishchart.htm

Answer 3

A small tank like a 10 gallon or a 20 gallon, shouldnt be too much work. The cost should be about $15-$40 depending on where you buy it. Fish tanks go on sale alot in petco or petsmart or even Walmart.

The tank should be cleaned once a week using a syphon. A syphon does a really good job at cleaning the leftover food and waste at the bottom of a tank. A good filter will help keep the tank clean as well.

You'll have to set the tank up first and let it establish for about a month. You can get some small fish to help it along.

What kind of fish where you looking to keep?

Answer 4

Well, we thought at first it wouldn't be much of a hassle. However, there actually is more work involved than just filling a tank and throwing in some fishies. ;-)
First, you should research, or at least talk to someone where you're going to buy the fish, about what kind of fish you want. Second, you have to find a tank that will support the number and species of fish you want. You can get aquarium kits that are pretty nice. They come with an aquarium, rocks, some decorations sometimes, and a filter and something to keep oxygen in the water. Then you have to clean the rocks before you put them in the tank, put water in the tank (avoid using tap water because all the extra minerals and chemicals in the water can kill your fish in a flash). You also must put some chemicals in the water to make it more liveable to the fish. You'll need to eliminate chlorine, balance the pH, and let the water sit for 24 hours with the filter running before adding fish. This will give the added chemicals time to even out, and let your filter kick into gear properly. When you finally get ready to add the fish, let their baggies rest in the aquarium with the fish still inside the baggies to let them get used to the water temperature in the aquarium.
Once your fishies are inside and swimming, keep an eye out for any signs of illness. It might be good to get a book about the breed of fish you bought to know what to look for.
The filter should be changed about once a month or more, depending on the number of fish you have and how dirty your tank gets. Cleaning the tank: Drain some of the water (enough to hold the fish in) into a clean container and use a net to get your fish and put them into the container of water. This is usually easiest using a siphon. Pour the rocks into a colander and use a hose or the bathtub to rinse the rocks thoroughly. Do NOT use chemicals like glass cleaner to clean your aquarium. It will kill your fish. Instead, scrub it with a sponge that won't scratch glass to get any algea off of it. Refill the tank with water, use your chemicals to balance the water, wait a few hours and add your fish.
It really is a lot of work, just like with any other pet. I hope I was accurate in that description. =)

Answer 5

I have a 20 gallon tank and really love it. It is a lot of work though. If you get a small tank make sure it is glass and not that plastic crap. You will definitely need to get a small algae eater. (don't get snails)This will help keep the tank clean. You will need to clean it once a week.
If you go to a place like wal mart it won't be to much. Not for sure but about 20 bucks or so. You will need to buy aquarium salt and stress coat. This will help keep them healthy.
If you do this make sure you get the tank set up and let it set for 24 to 48 hours before getting fish. Wait two weeks for the algae eater. Be careful where you buy fish. Real pet stores is your best bet. Chances are you will have some die at first. This is normal. It takes a while for the tank to get just right for them
I would recommend three different breeds or make sure you get the same sex. I bought two zebra danios and ended up with 75 in about a month!
Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 6

I would pick up a 5g eclispse (marineland) system tank. It comes with a carbon filter, bio filter and light and is very easy to set up, cost around $50, often cheaper from places like fish.com

You can easily keep 5 small schooling fish in here and a couple of small corys for bottom cleanup.

Just change 30-50% of the water 1x a week.

Use a medium gravel thats not coated, natural is the best way to go, its easier for the bacteria to grow on it.

For decor, I suggest fabric plants, and a real rock or a bit of drift wood.

Entire setup total cost about $100

Answer 7

I am guessing you mean to buy a small 10 gallon aquarium with filter, heater, lights, and gravel. In that case you will probably never clean your tank directly (remove everything and wash it) because you will kill the beneficial bacteria inside, rather you will just remove 20 percent of the water and add the same amount back in new dechlorinated water. The average 10 gallon tank with everything included at petco costs about 45 dollars. Taking care of a fish tank is easy and fun. All you need to do is feed your fish, change your water, and watch and enjoy

Answer 8

i have a lot of fish tanks u can buy a 10 gallon tank sit up kit at walmart for around 35.00 dollars that's what i got my kids u can keep some gold fish or guppies or what every u like the rocks i would put 2 bags in it. that would be around 7.00 dollars more. if the fitters are good it don't have to be cleaned all the time. i add water about once a month to mine and wash the fiters off. the most i do is feed them each day and enjoy watching them. when u first get your tank let it sit up for 24 hours. and have everything working on it. use stress coat or something to take out the chlorine and chloramines in tap water. if u want to kknow more on what i do with my tanks u can email me

Answer 9

you can buy the really small tanks at walmart and such, but i'd recommend at least 10 gallons ( they are pretty cheap now days) by the time you get rocks and a couple plants and fish. in the past i have had a 10 gal, 29 gal, 60 gal octagon. but now i have 125 gal. its not that much trouble. goldfish tend to be dirty and require more cleaning. stick to freshwater - saltwater are alot more money and daily maintenance. get a algae eater to keep it clean. ask the place where you get the fish which compatible ones to get. make sure you dont overfeed that makes a tank nasty quick!! and can kill fish. i feed once a day or every other day. and nobody usually does but its a huge help to set up you tank w/ water and leave it for a few days- to a week before putting fish in. it helps build good bacterial to break down poop and keeps ammonia levels low. good luck happy fishing

Answer 10

It depends on how "involved" you are planning to get. You can expect to clean it once a week. The smaller your tank, the more cleaning you are going to have to do.
my reccomendation, get a 10 gallon with a power filter (get one for up to 10 gallons). A few platies and a betta fish. Put your light on a timer, and purchace yourself the testing supplies for ph and ammonia. Check the levels every week.

DON'T change the filter as much as they tell you to. Change it only when the levels worsen or the filtration unit begins to rot. When you do decide to change the filter, place the filter minus the carbon next to the old one. This allows the benefical bacteria to spread to the new filter. After about a week add the carbon and toss the old filter. This keeps your fishies healthy, and saves your wallet.