Newbie!

[Peter Cashen]

Hi I decided to get a tank the other day....

so I bought a 30 litre hexagonal tank, a heater and Elite Stingray 10
Underwater Filter (for tanks up to 50 litre) - the filter seems really
big!

I bought white gravel one or two plastic plants and a small statue
kinda thing. Looks a bit plain and you can see the filter just sitting
there at the back of the tank.

Cleaned everything including gravel and then filled with water.... put
in some anti-chlorine stuff, switched the filter and heater on and left
for 24 hours... but the water still seems cloudy!?!?

I want to get fish this weekend, but have been told to get some real
hard fish that can survive anything.... any recommendations!?!?

I want it to look nice but think it looks plain, but as its only small
I dont want to overpower it.... Can I add and remove stuff from the
tank after the fish have gone in??

Also, I didnt get a light.... but have seen the moonlight ones on
ebay.... tubes and leds... which are better....

Any recommendations on styling or general advice about cloudy water and
general stuff would be much much appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

[Dick]

On 16 Aug 2006 12:31:12 -0700, "Peter Cashen"
> wrote:

>Hi I decided to get a tank the other day....
>
>so I bought a 30 litre hexagonal tank, a heater and Elite Stingray 10
>Underwater Filter (for tanks up to 50 litre) - the filter seems really
>big!
>
>I bought white gravel one or two plastic plants and a small statue
>kinda thing. Looks a bit plain and you can see the filter just sitting
>there at the back of the tank.
>
>Cleaned everything including gravel and then filled with water.... put
>in some anti-chlorine stuff, switched the filter and heater on and left
>for 24 hours... but the water still seems cloudy!?!?
>
>I want to get fish this weekend, but have been told to get some real
>hard fish that can survive anything.... any recommendations!?!?
>
>I want it to look nice but think it looks plain, but as its only small
>I dont want to overpower it.... Can I add and remove stuff from the
>tank after the fish have gone in??
>
>Also, I didnt get a light.... but have seen the moonlight ones on
>ebay.... tubes and leds... which are better....
>
>Any recommendations on styling or general advice about cloudy water and
>general stuff would be much much appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>
>Peter
I hope you are asking these questions of your fish dealer. He knows
your locality plus he has the stock you will choose from.

Start with a couple of inexpensive fish. When the tank has "cycled"
(check google for more detail) you can get a few more fish. Figure
adult size fish of 1 or 2 inches, no more than 6 fish total.

Don't overfeed. Hard to do, the fish are always hungry and look so
appealing.

Be sure to check the water temperature with a thermostat. Don't trust
the heater settings: "Trust, but verify!"

Change a gallon of water each week and replace any water that
evaporates.

As you have more specific questions, it will be easier for others to
help.

Good luck,

dick

[carlrs]

Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
aquarium medication and treatment:
http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/

Carl

[Nick Chan]

i started to rare rainbow crabs
they are so cute !
walk sideways
eat almost anything
you should too !

Peter Cashen wrote:
> Hi I decided to get a tank the other day....
>
> so I bought a 30 litre hexagonal tank, a heater and Elite Stingray 10
> Underwater Filter (for tanks up to 50 litre) - the filter seems really
> big!
>
> I bought white gravel one or two plastic plants and a small statue
> kinda thing. Looks a bit plain and you can see the filter just sitting
> there at the back of the tank.
>
> Cleaned everything including gravel and then filled with water.... put
> in some anti-chlorine stuff, switched the filter and heater on and left
> for 24 hours... but the water still seems cloudy!?!?
>
> I want to get fish this weekend, but have been told to get some real
> hard fish that can survive anything.... any recommendations!?!?
>
> I want it to look nice but think it looks plain, but as its only small
> I dont want to overpower it.... Can I add and remove stuff from the
> tank after the fish have gone in??
>
> Also, I didnt get a light.... but have seen the moonlight ones on
> ebay.... tubes and leds... which are better....
>
> Any recommendations on styling or general advice about cloudy water and
> general stuff would be much much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter

[swarvegorilla]

slow down mate
I'd 'feed' the tank a little fish food each day
and get the water tested for ammonia and nitrite
around the 2 week mark (or 3 to 4 if not a perfect run) if all goes really
well
you should be able to test zero ammonia and zero nitrite.
Do a 50% water change (try never do more than this 25% changes are much more
sensible)
And your ready for your fish
ALWAYS clean the filter sponge with water from the fish tank
Wanna keep the bacteria alive or the 2 weeks before adding fish is wasted
good luck
be patient, the cloudieness in the water passes once the filter is
established.
:-)



"Peter Cashen" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi I decided to get a tank the other day....
>
> so I bought a 30 litre hexagonal tank, a heater and Elite Stingray 10
> Underwater Filter (for tanks up to 50 litre) - the filter seems really
> big!
>
> I bought white gravel one or two plastic plants and a small statue
> kinda thing. Looks a bit plain and you can see the filter just sitting
> there at the back of the tank.
>
> Cleaned everything including gravel and then filled with water.... put
> in some anti-chlorine stuff, switched the filter and heater on and left
> for 24 hours... but the water still seems cloudy!?!?
>
> I want to get fish this weekend, but have been told to get some real
> hard fish that can survive anything.... any recommendations!?!?
>
> I want it to look nice but think it looks plain, but as its only small
> I dont want to overpower it.... Can I add and remove stuff from the
> tank after the fish have gone in??
>
> Also, I didnt get a light.... but have seen the moonlight ones on
> ebay.... tubes and leds... which are better....
>
> Any recommendations on styling or general advice about cloudy water and
> general stuff would be much much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>

[swarvegorilla]

That site really isn't that helpful
Myabe if your gonna spam it so much you should put some others up as well
Netmax does a good aquarium site and he's not trying to make cash out of it.
Although he should
guy has put a lot of effort into helping the n0000bs of the hoby




"carlrs" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
> aquarium medication and treatment:
> http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
>
> Carl
>

[Gill Passman]

swarvegorilla wrote:
> That site really isn't that helpful
> Myabe if your gonna spam it so much you should put some others up as well
> Netmax does a good aquarium site and he's not trying to make cash out of it.
> Although he should
> guy has put a lot of effort into helping the n0000bs of the hoby
>
>
>
>
> "carlrs" > wrote in message
> ps.com...
>
>>Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
>>aquarium medication and treatment:
>>http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
>>
>>Carl
>>
>
>
>

The link to NetMax's site is:-


http://www.netmax.tk

You can also get in touch with him direct on the following group:-

http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium?hl=en

Gill

[swarvegorilla]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
...
> swarvegorilla wrote:
>> That site really isn't that helpful
>> Myabe if your gonna spam it so much you should put some others up as well
>> Netmax does a good aquarium site and he's not trying to make cash out of
>> it.
>> Although he should
>> guy has put a lot of effort into helping the n0000bs of the hoby
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "carlrs" > wrote in message
>> ps.com...
>>
>>>Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
>>>aquarium medication and treatment:
>>>http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
>>>
>>>Carl
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> The link to NetMax's site is:-
>
>
> http://www.netmax.tk
>
> You can also get in touch with him direct on the following group:-
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium?hl=en
>
> Gill

doh was getting there!
ummm.... ALtum posts some great links too
the net is a goldmine of info and if ya take time to read while your tank
clears up
you'll be a pro in no time!
so ya a cut and paste for ya, helps you not haviung to scroll down anyway
:-)
Here's what I (altum) post monthly. The links have all been vetted and
contributed by folks who were regulars on rafm.

------------------------------------------------------------------

We have an extensive FAQ, located at http://faq.thekrib.com. The
beginner's section is http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html and
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html explains why new tanks are
hard to start. There is a lot of valuable information there on
everything from starting your first fishtank to fish selection to
growing live plants. Please have a look at the FAQ to see if your
questions are answered there before you post.

There are also a number of very valuable internet resources on fish and
aquaria. Here are some of the very best, and you will often see them
mentioned.

Pages by our regulars:
Netmax's site with great general information http://www.netmax.tk
Richard Sexton's site, with articles and a great photo collection
http://aquaria.net
International Killifish Association http://killi.net
CanadianCray's Crayfish Addicts Anonymous http://www.canadiancrayfish.ca

Other great sites:
The Skeptical Aquarist with general information
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com
Monga Bay with biotope and species information http://www.mongabay.com
Fishbase - very accurate species information http://www.fishbase.org
The Krib, host of many years of carefully selected rec.aquaria archives
http://www.thekrib.com
FINS - Fish Information Service http://fins.actwin.com/fish/
Planet Catfish http://www.planetcatfish.com
Cichlids.com http://www.cichlids.com
Greater Chicago Cichlids Association http://www.gcca.net
Betta Talk http://www.bettatalk.com
Apple Snail.net http://www.applesnail.net
Loaches.com http://www.loaches.com
Home of the Rainbowfish http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/
Thomas Barr's aquatic plant site http://www.barrreport.com (requires
free registration)
Tropica Aquarium Plants http://www.tropica.dk
Chuck's Planted Aquarium Pages with the fertilizer calculator
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/
Endlers R Us http://www.endlersr.us/

General usenet info:
A list of fishy and usenet abbreviations is at
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/acronym.php
Newsreader killfile and troll info can be found at
http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile/
More troll information at http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm

--
Come join us in a friendly, on-topic fish and pond forum:
http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[carlrs]

swarvegorilla wrote:
> That site really isn't that helpful
> Myabe if your gonna spam it so much you should put some others up as well
> Netmax does a good aquarium site and he's not trying to make cash out of it.
> Although he should
> guy has put a lot of effort into helping the n0000bs of the hoby
>
>
>
>
> "carlrs" > wrote in message
> ps.com...
> > Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
> > aquarium medication and treatment:
> > http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
> >
> > Carl
> >
Yes Netmax has an excellent site. My site is relatively new, but does
have many basic but useful links built on my 27 years of experience
professionally maintaining aquariums and helping many newbie's over
the years for NO CHARGE! I still continue to make gratis house calls
even though my health and other issues have forced me to sell my
maintenance business.
Also the products I sell are based on what I believe in and have used,
not necessarily what is most profitable.

I think you should lighten up and check out my blogs and who I am.
Carl

[swarvegorilla]

"carlrs" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> swarvegorilla wrote:
>> That site really isn't that helpful
>> Myabe if your gonna spam it so much you should put some others up as well
>> Netmax does a good aquarium site and he's not trying to make cash out of
>> it.
>> Although he should
>> guy has put a lot of effort into helping the n0000bs of the hoby
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "carlrs" > wrote in message
>> ps.com...
>> > Here is a site with alot usefull information from basic set up to
>> > aquarium medication and treatment:
>> > http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
>> >
>> > Carl
>> >
> Yes Netmax has an excellent site. My site is relatively new, but does
> have many basic but useful links built on my 27 years of experience
> professionally maintaining aquariums and helping many newbie's over
> the years for NO CHARGE! I still continue to make gratis house calls
> even though my health and other issues have forced me to sell my
> maintenance business.
> Also the products I sell are based on what I believe in and have used,
> not necessarily what is most profitable.
>
> I think you should lighten up and check out my blogs and who I am.
> Carl
>

I hardly think it was a harsh flame mate.
Besides I'm no little kid ya hear?
I deal with the gp on fish every frokin' day
and I don't whinge and bitch
I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
impress people.
I live the dream.
read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
anyway rock on I spose.
But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
It's great, really gets the community feel going.
Oh and no
I'm not having a go at ya mate
I just really don't care about your feelings
any lighter an' I'd float away ya'hear?

[carlrs]

swarvegorilla wrote:


> I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
> impress people.
Only to point where I have been, others have pointed out their
experience too.(including NetMax). I also do not throw these numbers
out to make some claim that I know everything far from this. I am
continueing to learn from others posts (Netmax, Altum and others), form
my attendance in Pet trade shows (such as the up coming World Wide Pet
Trade Association show in Las Vegas in Sept.)

> read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
You did? What about my link to Cichlid Research? What about the links
to my blogs about Aquarium Medications and UV sterilization (alot of
work and positive feed back have come from those two), AND what about
my link to NetMax?
But of course you certainly do not have to like them, BUT they have
nothing to do about me feelin big.
I do not deny there are also links back to myself for sales, but this
is my living unlike many posters here (that I might add have awesome
websites, that I am not trying to copy). This is not a great living
either. I had a successfull business, but had to move, not for me, but
for my familly as the State would not do ANYTHING about the monster who
molested my daughter and is still stalking her a or pay for my sons
special needs (he is Autistic). Sorry for trying to support my familly.

> But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
Many of my answers do not include any links, just my hopefully helpfull
opinion. In this thread I felt that there was not much that I could add
but this link because others had answered his basic questions well.
Also I read far more than I post on these Usenet Groups for my own
growth.

Carl

[swarvegorilla]

"carlrs" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> swarvegorilla wrote:
>
>
>> I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
>> impress people.
> Only to point where I have been, others have pointed out their
> experience too.(including NetMax). I also do not throw these numbers
> out to make some claim that I know everything far from this. I am
> continueing to learn from others posts (Netmax, Altum and others), form
> my attendance in Pet trade shows (such as the up coming World Wide Pet
> Trade Association show in Las Vegas in Sept.)

Sounds great but means nothing to me unfortunately
ya see this threads about some newbie and their cloudy water
not you
I too attend both the pet and the aquaculture shows, not that theres much
available.
And for those that are I take holidays
:-)



>
>> read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
> You did? What about my link to Cichlid Research? What about the links
> to my blogs about Aquarium Medications and UV sterilization (alot of
> work and positive feed back have come from those two), AND what about
> my link to NetMax?
> But of course you certainly do not have to like them, BUT they have
> nothing to do about me feelin big.
> I do not deny there are also links back to myself for sales, but this
> is my living unlike many posters here (that I might add have awesome
> websites, that I am not trying to copy). This is not a great living
> either. I had a successfull business, but had to move, not for me, but
> for my familly as the State would not do ANYTHING about the monster who
> molested my daughter and is still stalking her a or pay for my sons
> special needs (he is Autistic). Sorry for trying to support my familly.
>

Look alright those links are fine and dandy but they may as well be about
martian life to this fella
I also don't see you your child being molested or your kid having mental
problems has anything to do with anything mate
As I said this is not a flame, no need for ya to bitch and whinge
welcome to usenet
Until I meet ya in person, your just one of the faceless billions
As you know from the trade, people lie
people lie non-****ing-stop
so excuse me if i don't leap up and shake your hand and offer consolences.
There are however other usenet groups where people will i imagine
alt.sypathy maybe?




>> But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
> Many of my answers do not include any links, just my hopefully helpfull
> opinion. In this thread I felt that there was not much that I could add
> but this link because others had answered his basic questions well.
> Also I read far more than I post on these Usenet Groups for my own
> growth.
>
> Carl
>

Well keep growing big man
maybe with a good spurt ya won't get so cut next time someone suggests
posting an answer to help instead of your site.
Cheers for the convo
does prove this place is still ticking
Now I have ta head to work
But if you'd like to post more of your personal problems go ahead.
Or we could try help this dude/ette
instead of scaring them off
you know a bit of rational convo
sorry I think your sites a bit lame
I am just used to a pretty good standard
and no I ain't dropping names here
none of them would mean **** to ya
another place another world
money money money


Swarvegorilla

Oh and I am trying to give your molester eye cancer thru psychic force as I
type this.
Would do more but I have a stalker of my own.
And he does so love to cut and paste
:-)

[Tynk]

swarvegorilla wrote:

> I hardly think it was a harsh flame mate.
> Besides I'm no little kid ya hear?
> I deal with the gp on fish every frokin' day
> and I don't whinge and bitch

> I live the dream.
> read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
> anyway rock on I spose.
> But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
> It's great, really gets the community feel going.
> Oh and no
> I'm not having a go at ya mate
> I just really don't care about your feelings
> any lighter an' I'd float away ya'hear?

Swar.....

> I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
> impress people.

I will occasionally add my yrs of experience in a thread too....but it
is NOT to show off or impress anyone. It is simply meant to give the
poster an idea that the person talking to them isn't some newbie just
tossing ideas out of their butt.
Anyone can come here and give "advice". However, whether they know what
they're talking about or have the experience to back it up does make a
difference.
I will never understand why people get all tiffed if I mention that I
have 28 yrs of specializing in Bettas (and Angelfish). It's not meant
at all as a show off, or that I'm better than you or what ever. It's
meant for the person I am replying to understand that this person knows
what they're talking about, that's all.
Most people that do it are doing it for that very reason.

[swarvegorilla]

"Tynk" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> swarvegorilla wrote:
>
>> I hardly think it was a harsh flame mate.
>> Besides I'm no little kid ya hear?
>> I deal with the gp on fish every frokin' day
>> and I don't whinge and bitch
>
>> I live the dream.
>> read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
>> anyway rock on I spose.
>> But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
>> It's great, really gets the community feel going.
>> Oh and no
>> I'm not having a go at ya mate
>> I just really don't care about your feelings
>> any lighter an' I'd float away ya'hear?
>
> Swar.....
>
>> I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
>> impress people.
>
> I will occasionally add my yrs of experience in a thread too....but it
> is NOT to show off or impress anyone. It is simply meant to give the
> poster an idea that the person talking to them isn't some newbie just
> tossing ideas out of their butt.
> Anyone can come here and give "advice". However, whether they know what
> they're talking about or have the experience to back it up does make a
> difference.
> I will never understand why people get all tiffed if I mention that I
> have 28 yrs of specializing in Bettas (and Angelfish). It's not meant
> at all as a show off, or that I'm better than you or what ever. It's
> meant for the person I am replying to understand that this person knows
> what they're talking about, that's all.
> Most people that do it are doing it for that very reason.
>

Yea I know but when people have to use a figure it bugs me
I know fish breeders that have been around before the begining of time
and they know pretty much nothing
it really means nothing
on the other hand most long term people know plenty
just not a good way to judge is all
I have around a decade and none of it is specialised
but I have never stopped learning

I just know that 90% of the time when some one drops some magical number on
me that I am about to be flooded with crap.
sure not the case here
but I am impressed with converstaion where i learn ****
not by bigger and bigger fish tales

but **** I say again
was not a flame
just trying to help out the n00b with cloudy water
sure I had to go maybe a bit far
but I speak my mind
sorry
:-)

[Nick Chan]

many do it because experience ..usually.. contradicts what is taught in
the book

Tynk wrote:
> swarvegorilla wrote:
>
> > I hardly think it was a harsh flame mate.
> > Besides I'm no little kid ya hear?
> > I deal with the gp on fish every frokin' day
> > and I don't whinge and bitch
>
> > I live the dream.
> > read your blog. sorry not super impressed but glad it makes ya feel big.
> > anyway rock on I spose.
> > But yea please spam your site instead of talkin to peeps
> > It's great, really gets the community feel going.
> > Oh and no
> > I'm not having a go at ya mate
> > I just really don't care about your feelings
> > any lighter an' I'd float away ya'hear?
>
> Swar.....
>
> > I also don't have to pull numbers of years of experience outta my arse to
> > impress people.
>
> I will occasionally add my yrs of experience in a thread too....but it
> is NOT to show off or impress anyone. It is simply meant to give the
> poster an idea that the person talking to them isn't some newbie just
> tossing ideas out of their butt.
> Anyone can come here and give "advice". However, whether they know what
> they're talking about or have the experience to back it up does make a
> difference.
> I will never understand why people get all tiffed if I mention that I
> have 28 yrs of specializing in Bettas (and Angelfish). It's not meant
> at all as a show off, or that I'm better than you or what ever. It's
> meant for the person I am replying to understand that this person knows
> what they're talking about, that's all.
> Most people that do it are doing it for that very reason.