The light on it has a freaking divorced driver and pulls 120w from the wall with a PAR reading of over 270 at the bottom…
So naturally I’m looking at a planted tank. If someone genetically engineered aquatic cannabis I’d do that, but in the meanwhile I should probably stick to what is around.
I know there are tons of forums for this stuff as well, but I figure if anyone here has kept one, I may as well ask. I’m a total newbie, the only fish I ever kept eventually ended up on my plate…
Any advice on what I can plant/grow/keep in this thing? Kid is excited about fish. I got co2 if necessary. I got a filter and a heater with it…
Hey HappyHemper, sweet find there with the 33 gallon. I have a good bit of experience so feel free to ask me for any advice. I’ve kept many types of freshwater fish and have some experience with planted tanks but nowadays my main focus is breeding shrimps.
First thing is first you need to familiarize yourself with the nitrogen cycle. It’s the cycle of beneficial bacteria that live primarily in your filter media and substrate and convert fish waste into less harmful substance. <-- This is what they mean primarily when they talk about filtration and is the foundation of all aquarium life. Without establishing this first none of the inhabitants will survive the long term. A quick youtube or google will teach you all you need to know about it in 5 minutes.
@Pedro_Bann lol that’s awesome the phone hahaha. There is a guy on local craigslist selling these shrimps for a buck a piece; I think I’m gonna get some eventually to figure out what they are all about
General rule of thumb is if it’ll fit in the fishes mouth it’ll get eaten in regards to compatibility.
For the gravel and rocks I would say it depends how funky it is. A good rinse with hot water should suffice. You never want to use any kind of chemical cleaner on aquarium products, I like to use vinegar. Diluted bleach is safe too but you gotta rinse it well and use a bit extra dechlorinator to be safe.
Do you have any ideas what kind of fish you want to get?
Probably small schooling fish; I’m mostly into plants my grandpa used to keep “neons” as he called them, and some of those small suckers to clean the algae. I think the tank is too small to keep anything bigger than an inch or two, and have it look natural.
On the other hand, from browsing the web, theres nothing natural about what a lot of people do.
@cannabissequoia, I have spent countless hours in front of my grandpa’s tank, but I did not have to care for it now I’m sort of out of all the hobbies that used to keep me away from home - no more dirt biking, offloading, ice climbing, etc. So might as well, eh?
@paintedfire420, I prefer the Cardinal Tetras with the extra red. Both are a great addition to a tank.
@HappyHemper, I have spent so many years on aquariums in another life. Kept everything from cheap communal tanks to Oscars, Discus, Saratoga (Crazy agressive), Baramundi (also agressive), Yabbies, Maron, etc. It was great. So long ago though that any advice i have to give would be dated. I can say one thing for sure, you have some fun years ahead.
I have not read any other comments so some of this may be covered.
I’m currently running a 250, 135, two 70’s and a 40 breeder. Planted tanks are very nice however a lot of work and constant testing until they are established. They also limit the types of fish you can get as well but again done up right are beautiful.
What age children will be involved? Reason I ask is a 5 year old will be happy with whatever while 12 year olds can appreciate the actual habitat and life cycle.
If the light it too bright it will grow algae like mad. Unlike hydroponics phosphates will be an issue especially while cycling the tank but every tank has to go through it.
Is there any consideration in to a salt water tank at all like with a pair of clowns and an anemone?
Watching the relationship between a clown and it’s host I can sit and watch for hours. Add weed and days will go by.
Right now before you begin you need to know fish tanks are a ton of work, and guys that have bad ass tanks do water changes every week. Fail to do this and it will show and turn in to a science project fast.
It’s also going to depend on where you are as to what you can choose to do. Coastal areas like CA and FL will be awesome for getting salt water fish as well as lake Cichlids while places in the center of the country will have far less to choose from at local stores.
Not much I haven’t done or kept and some of my tanks are in the pets thread on here.
I keep a school pf Piranhas in the 250, a pair of Red Dragon Flowerhorns in the 135. One 70 is African Catfish about 15 types and I also keep Cichlids from lake Tanganyika. I’ve also raised shrimp from eggs and kept a variety of other live creatures for feeding the fish.
If you want to raise fish from babies good source is Aquabid.com where you can bid on fish. Just know what your getting before you get it and do your homework on prices INCLUDING the shipping.
my grandpa used to keep “neons” as he called them, and some of those small suckers to clean the algae. I think the tank is too small to keep anything bigger than an inch or two, and have it look natural.
now I’m sort of out of all the hobbies that used to keep me away from home - no more dirt biking, offloading, ice climbing, etc. So might as well, eh?
