Help- I'm completely new at this fish stuff?

Question

I've just bought a fish tank and need to know about what type of equiptment I need for tropical fish- filter, heater, air pump etc. Also, can someone explain how the equiptment works and what it's purpose is- thanks

Yeah- I know that obviously, but there's alot more equiptment, alot more I need to know other than the heater and filter

Answer 1

Wow jumping into the deep end of the pool are you.

Go and read this site
http://www.monsterreef.com/information.php/info_id/23

That will tell you how to set up.

A heater is to keep the water a steady tropical temperature, about 80 degrees.

Light so you can see your fish and plants if you have them.

Fish jump so I would suggest a lid.

After setting up your tank let it "age" for a week to stabilize the heat and bacteria. It takes about 8 weeks before it will fully be stable if you have done everything correctly.

Don't over feed you fish, overfeeding kills more fish than everything else put tegether!

Gravel, for beneficial bacteria to grow in and to put your plants.

There are several different types of filtration.
Under the gravel, eclipse in the top and the kind in a little box hanging off the side. All work but under the gravel is easiest for starting out.
Just remember to "seed" beneficial bacteria to deal with the fish waste or your fish will not flourish. Start with maybe two fish, wait a couple of weeks, then add a few more.
Pay attention to the recommended inches of fish per gallon. Too much fish (don't forget they grow) and your fish will die from diseases from swimming in foul water.
When you start getting algae on the glass get a Chinese algae eater, they stay small and do a good job of keeping your glass clean.. If the glass is really clean they can starve so wait for the algae and if he gets the algae off buy him some algae chips to eat when he needs them.
Get some water dechlorinater to treat your tap water and never clean anything with soap or bleach.
Choose healthy fish, they should look happy, swimming vigorously with their fins away from their bodies, no white spots or scummy film on their bodies.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Since everyone else is posting fishlore links, I'll some other sites with additional info:
http://www.firsttankguide.net/
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cat=1977

You'll really only need a heater (submersibles are preferred, and they should be 5 watts per gallon of tank volume unless you need to heat more than 10oF above the room temperature - then get the next largest wattage) and filter (it should filter 5-10 times the tank volume per hour). Room light, or light from a window in the room (but not so sunlight is directly hitting the tank) is enough, since it lets the fish tell day from night. You should also get a full canopy or glass cover to reduce evaporation and keep fish from jumping out of the tank. Lighting may make viewing the tank easier, but lights aren't required unless you plan to have live plants in the tank. A thermometer is a good idea to make sure your heater is functioning properly. For cleaning, a gravel vacuum/siphon for cleaning into the gravel.

And although not technically "equipment" a water testing kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) is also good to have.

There's so many brands and types of equipment, it would take too long to type out how each one works. Instead, I'll refer you to the user's manuals that will come with what you buy. Most have fairly good directions for installation, operation, cleaning, troubleshooting, and so on.

Answer 3

I bought a kit that came with a 10 gal. tank, filter (plus the filter cartridges), and the hood. However, you will also need gravel and decorations.

If you have a filter you won't need an air pump since the filter and carbon inserts will provide oxygen and clean your tank water for you. If you buy an air pump instead of the filter you will also need what is called an undergravel filter, tubing, air stones/diffusers, valves. I think these are bit more work and harder to keep clean (plus noisier!). If you want anything like a bubble wall then you will need the air pump.

I would also recommend buying something to accelerate the bacteria growth in your tank before buying your fish...something that should also be done is aging your water to get rid of chlorine and chloramines. (this can be done when after initial set up and you run your tank for a few days-a week before getting your fish to make sure your tank is safe. I, also, like to add aquarium salt to my tanks because it's said to help fish maintain the natural slime coat which helps prevent them from getting sick but some people do not use it.

To test your tank and good test kit is handy. I like to use one by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. It has tests for ammonia, pH, chlorine, hardness, etc.

As for a heater, depending on what type of fish you get and the temp they require you'll most likely need a heater. The size will depend on the size of your tank-the bigger the tank, the bigger the heater needed.

As for any decor, live plants are always nice. To me they look better and they rid the water of carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen (what your fish will need to breathe). If you look at petsmart's website they will have fish care guides with recommended decor for certain types of fish.

the website has a good step by step guide to setting your tank! I hope this helps and good luck with your new tank!

Answer 4

gr8 the heater heats the water and the filter filters it.lol just having some fun. ok ,first gravel make sure it's rinsed then put it in the bottom of your empty tank,fill your tank w/ water from the tap should be fine.next,the filter needs to be put in,i dint know what kind you got,mine is a whisper something* it hangs on the inside of the tank, no matter what kind of filter you got/get it should say how it works. same with the heater.it heats the tank ,if you are going to have Goldfish you dint need a heater or a filter.

after you got the water in your tank along w/ the filter and heater you leave the heater and filter running for a week or SO.

hope it helps,
and if you have ANY more Q:s about ANYthing e-mail me.

Answer 5

The type of filter you could get depends on the size of your tank and how much money you want to spend on it. I use a bio-wheel filter that hangs on the tank; it gets the job done. If your going for the cheaper filters, I would buy one that is meant for a larger tank because it will be more effective. I don't use an air pump in my tank and I haven't had any issues. Here's a useful site....
http://www.fishforever.co.uk/equipment.html

Answer 6

Here's some sites that may help you and it keeps me from endless, non-helpful rambling... Best of luck!!

http://www.fishlore.com/
http://www.fishlore.com/Aquarium_Equipment.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/BeginnersGuides.htm