big time noob

[ChicagoMike]

Hey All,

I haven't kept fish in over 20 years and even back then, I was in grammar school and just had a 10 gallon. I have been bugging my wife since we got married about getting a tank, and she's finally caving for my 30th birthday in October. (though I'll be getting the tank itself in September sometime) My local fish store has a ton of tanks and I've settled on a 75 gallon with a duel bio-wheel Eclipse hood. I honestly am coming into this blind, other than the tank and the filter/hood, what am I going to need? After much research, I've decided that I definately want loaches and after reading that clowns will eventually need a bigger home than 75g, I nixed them as potential inhabitants. I wanted to start out with 5-6 yo-yo's, a red tailed shark and perhaps some tiger barbs. I need a lot of advice, especially regarding managing water quality. I am virtually clueless... Can anyone point me in the direction of a good book on the subject? Sorry if my post is all over the place... I have many questions/concerns and I want to get a jump on it before my tank arrives at my house!

[bookpage]

Welcome, Mike.

For a filter, I would recommend a Rena Filstar XP3 Canister Filter or a new canister filter on the marker, 375 GPH Aquarium Canister Filter with UV Sterilizer.

Link for XP3 on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Rena-Filstar-XP3-Ca ... 3f01659b0d

Link for 375 GPH on eBay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MEWAX:VRI

There are a lot of good deals on eBay.

For substrate, do you want to use gravel or sand? Do you want a planted tank?

best,

[ChicagoMike]

Thanks for the tips! I'd really like to use sand for substrate and have real plants.... What are easy plants for beginners that are compatible with the fish I'd like to start with? I remember I put hornwort in with my newts a few years ago and the water turned green!

[bookpage]

That green was probably algae.

I would suggest that you join the forum over at http://www.plantedtank.net

Here is a link on plants: http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Bas ... ed-Tank/4/

In my two 75s I have Eco-complete and black sand. In my 125, I have pool filter sand that is a dark white.

[arny]

i wouldnt get barbs i dont know what other peoples experiences with them are but 15 years ago i had a tinfoil barb he grew really quickly and we had a long time not understanding where all the fish were going until one morning we came down and saw a tail sticking out of his mouth (we had to give him away unfortunately) and a few years ago i fell in love with some emerald barbs and thought they're small they wont harm any of the much larger fish they were going with... how i was wrong they striped the fins off all the fish (silver sharks and silver dollars included) within 2 days so the barbs had to go back.
just my experience with them and they are meant to be a good community fish
you can always try them and if they go for other fish exchange them for something more peaceful

[Sharkscott2]

Tiger barbs have a bad rep which is somewhat deserved. They are nippy by nature and when kept alone or in small groups they will no doubt nip on other fish. In my experience when kept in large groups though 10+ they rarely bother other species. However you should still avoid keeping them with timid species. The barbs swim fast and dart around (which is great for the people watching them (and is why I prefer them over tetras). But the sudden moments can be intimidating to other fish.

I love barbs and find them to be great aquarium fish. Avoid species which will get too large for your tank (tinfoil barbs do get very large). Because of their active nature I'd say make sure your tank is 1 foot long for every inch long the barb is. So in a 75 gallon look for fish which would max out at 4 inches.

Most barbs set a social structure which seems to be based around chasing each other so it's typically best to keep them in groups to nurture this instinct. Otherwise they will likely recruit other tank members into the society of chasing.

I keep most of my loaches with Barbs by design. Many loaches will be hesitant to come out unless they feel the coast is clear. In my oponion having active fish throwing a chase party in the top to mid levels of the tank shows the loaches that the coast is clear. So the loaches will be more likely to come out. Also most barbs can stand up to the large amount of water movement which many loaches prefer.

I'm currently keeping Arulius barbs with Kubotai and Straita Botia loaches. Odessa barbs with my Dojo Loaches. And at one point I was keeping Tiger barbs with Dwarf Botia. I also currently have a school of Pentazoa barbs sharing a tank with a pair of breeding plecos. The barbs leave the fry alone. I'm sure a larger barb species would eat the fry but these guys ignore them.

Anyway that's the end of my rant

Check out some of the great articles on this site.

http://www.loaches.com/articles/oxygen-in-the-aquarium
http://www.loaches.com/articles/an-intr ... ping-botia
http://www.loaches.com/articles/river-t ... old-design

And make sure you research any species before purchasing.

BTW a 8 foot long tank full of tinfoil barbs and clown loaches would be awesome .

[Sharkscott2]

Oh, and one more very important piece of advice. Do water changes 1/4 to 1/3 weekly.

And get a python, it makes the job much easier.

[arny]

dont get me wrong i do love barbs you can often get more diversity and colour with a barb then with tetras i have just had bad experiences with them going in with other fish.

[arny]

dont forget the more simple but completely vital things like buckets that will only be used for fish water changes.
i suggest making a list taking it to the fish shop and ask them if theres anything more you need or post it on here and let people add to it. the people on here are extremely helpful and will even tell you the best makes of products.
happy buying