Starter Fish Tank for Children
Discussion
Need help from those wiser than me in these matters. My children (8 & 6) have asked for pet fish for Christmas. Having never had any kind of pet before, I don't know where to start.
What things do I need to look into when deciding on things like tanks, filtration, tank decoration (pebbles, plants etc.) and most importantly, what KIND of fish are good for children to take care of.
I've googled and there's a ton of info but nothing succinct in where to actually start.
Also, where do I purchase? THere's a pet superstore near me, is that a good a place as any? Or specialist pet stores? Or even via online ordering?
Any input great fully received.
Fas
What things do I need to look into when deciding on things like tanks, filtration, tank decoration (pebbles, plants etc.) and most importantly, what KIND of fish are good for children to take care of.
I've googled and there's a ton of info but nothing succinct in where to actually start.
Also, where do I purchase? THere's a pet superstore near me, is that a good a place as any? Or specialist pet stores? Or even via online ordering?
Any input great fully received.
Fas
Couple of simple rules:
1.) Buy the biggest tank that you can fit in the space available.
The bigger the tank, the less likely you are to have big variations in water quality, so it is easier to maintain a stable environment. This is one of (if not the) biggest aspects of keeping fish. All advice as to what fish you can keep will be primarily based on the size of your tank.
2.) If you want to have fish in the tank on Christmas day, then you need to be setting up the tank now (ideally a couple of weeks ago).
Google "Fishless cycling" for more information. Essentially you need to create a suitable stable environment for the fish BEFORE you add the fish. This takes 4-6 weeks to do properly. I'll confess to having done it in less, but it is not ideal, and not recommended.
3.) Decide whether you want coldwater, tropical or marine.
Coldwater = Traditional 'Goldfish'. However, true goldfish should never really be kept in a tank as they need more space. Fancy goldfish such as fantails are better, but you will need a big tank (say 180l minimum for three fish) and good filtration as they are messy blighters.
Tropical = Same setup as coldwater, but add a heater. Huge variety of fish available. The key here is to decide what sort of fish you want, and then design the tank around them. Not all fish can be kept together, and they need different environments. If it is for your children I would recommend sticking with the usual suspects rather than anything unusual. Read up on the fish first - then buy them, not the other way around. Have a trip to your local fish shop for some ideas on which fish you like the look of.
Marine = I'll confess to no knowledge of marine setups. When I started keeping fish it was incredibly complex and only recommended for seasoned experts. I gather that it is much easier now, but probably still worth sticking to coldwater or tropical if you are a novice. No doubt some of the guys on here can give better info. Marine tanks are stunning, and can include child-friendly favourites such as nemo.
Do you want a tank with lots of little fish in, or a couple of feature fish? Kids tend to like decent sized fish rather than little fish, and colourful ones are always better. On the whole though, it will be highly dependent on your tank size.
4.) Equipment
Assuming that you go for tropical, you will need a tank (bigger is better), heater (suited to tank size), filter (internal or external - personally I prefer external, but it is a matter of choice), and then tank decoration. Get a tester kit, you will need it during the fishless cycle. All available from petshops or online.
Personally I quite like Juwel setups if you want a one-stop purchase. Decent quality, but not the cheapest. To set up a tank properly you are probably going to need a couple of hundred quid at least. Also worth looking on e-bay as that is a good way of saving a few quid (or getting a bigger setup for your money).
5.) Buying Fish
Where to buy fish is a difficult one - I have a couple of really good local fish stores, so tend to go there as the staff know their stuff and give helpful advice. Personally I steer clear of the chains, but I do know that there are people who have had good service. Someone on here may be able to give local recommendations to you. I have also bought fish over the internet, but only from suppliers that have been recommended on the fishkeeping forums.
Why not have a look in your local store and write down a shopping list, post it on here and we can all comment and offer advice. Read a couple of the "first tank" threads on here and you will probably get a decent idea of what is involved.
1.) Buy the biggest tank that you can fit in the space available.
The bigger the tank, the less likely you are to have big variations in water quality, so it is easier to maintain a stable environment. This is one of (if not the) biggest aspects of keeping fish. All advice as to what fish you can keep will be primarily based on the size of your tank.
2.) If you want to have fish in the tank on Christmas day, then you need to be setting up the tank now (ideally a couple of weeks ago).
Google "Fishless cycling" for more information. Essentially you need to create a suitable stable environment for the fish BEFORE you add the fish. This takes 4-6 weeks to do properly. I'll confess to having done it in less, but it is not ideal, and not recommended.
3.) Decide whether you want coldwater, tropical or marine.
Coldwater = Traditional 'Goldfish'. However, true goldfish should never really be kept in a tank as they need more space. Fancy goldfish such as fantails are better, but you will need a big tank (say 180l minimum for three fish) and good filtration as they are messy blighters.
Tropical = Same setup as coldwater, but add a heater. Huge variety of fish available. The key here is to decide what sort of fish you want, and then design the tank around them. Not all fish can be kept together, and they need different environments. If it is for your children I would recommend sticking with the usual suspects rather than anything unusual. Read up on the fish first - then buy them, not the other way around. Have a trip to your local fish shop for some ideas on which fish you like the look of.
Marine = I'll confess to no knowledge of marine setups. When I started keeping fish it was incredibly complex and only recommended for seasoned experts. I gather that it is much easier now, but probably still worth sticking to coldwater or tropical if you are a novice. No doubt some of the guys on here can give better info. Marine tanks are stunning, and can include child-friendly favourites such as nemo.
Do you want a tank with lots of little fish in, or a couple of feature fish? Kids tend to like decent sized fish rather than little fish, and colourful ones are always better. On the whole though, it will be highly dependent on your tank size.
4.) Equipment
Assuming that you go for tropical, you will need a tank (bigger is better), heater (suited to tank size), filter (internal or external - personally I prefer external, but it is a matter of choice), and then tank decoration. Get a tester kit, you will need it during the fishless cycle. All available from petshops or online.
Personally I quite like Juwel setups if you want a one-stop purchase. Decent quality, but not the cheapest. To set up a tank properly you are probably going to need a couple of hundred quid at least. Also worth looking on e-bay as that is a good way of saving a few quid (or getting a bigger setup for your money).
5.) Buying Fish
Where to buy fish is a difficult one - I have a couple of really good local fish stores, so tend to go there as the staff know their stuff and give helpful advice. Personally I steer clear of the chains, but I do know that there are people who have had good service. Someone on here may be able to give local recommendations to you. I have also bought fish over the internet, but only from suppliers that have been recommended on the fishkeeping forums.
Why not have a look in your local store and write down a shopping list, post it on here and we can all comment and offer advice. Read a couple of the "first tank" threads on here and you will probably get a decent idea of what is involved.
My Sister in Law bought our son a fish tank about 3 years ago.
It's 40L I think (pretty small, takes about about 2/3 the width of a chest of drawers) and he has a dozen or so small freshwater fish (not fancy goldfish).
In all that time not one has expired (having had goldfish in a pond before this seems remarkable to me!), but the tank does need emptying and clean every 3 or 4 weeks, which is a bind...
Might be a way to go, but, as someone said earlier, you'll need to set it up some weeks before putting the fish in.
M
It's 40L I think (pretty small, takes about about 2/3 the width of a chest of drawers) and he has a dozen or so small freshwater fish (not fancy goldfish).
In all that time not one has expired (having had goldfish in a pond before this seems remarkable to me!), but the tank does need emptying and clean every 3 or 4 weeks, which is a bind...
Might be a way to go, but, as someone said earlier, you'll need to set it up some weeks before putting the fish in.
M
"pigdog"
I can't thank you enough for your post. You've genuinely opened up my eyes to the depth of research I still need to do. I actually thought I could go into a store, pick up a "starter pack" and get on with it. But there's obviously a lot more involved.
I know there's a nice aquarium store on Gt Portland Street in London, i'll be there in a week or so and will go in and get a "shopping" list together and run it by you guys. I've seen a few "first tank" threads, which have definitely been useful, but your post is very very clear.
The first question I need to answer is location.
There's a couple of potential spots, but i'll need to speak to the mrs and see what she says, that will then dictate size of tank and I guess, that will be the starting point!
@marcosgt, also recognizing your input. THank you
I can't thank you enough for your post. You've genuinely opened up my eyes to the depth of research I still need to do. I actually thought I could go into a store, pick up a "starter pack" and get on with it. But there's obviously a lot more involved.
I know there's a nice aquarium store on Gt Portland Street in London, i'll be there in a week or so and will go in and get a "shopping" list together and run it by you guys. I've seen a few "first tank" threads, which have definitely been useful, but your post is very very clear.
The first question I need to answer is location.
There's a couple of potential spots, but i'll need to speak to the mrs and see what she says, that will then dictate size of tank and I guess, that will be the starting point!
@marcosgt, also recognizing your input. THank you
Try to avoid a site where there is a lot of natural daylight as it makes it harder to control algae growth, and also avoid anywhere directly next to radiators if possible.
Whilst small tanks can work (I have four 18" tanks), they are much harder to maintain properly so if you can get away with it, I would try to get a 36" tank minimum as it will make everything easier in the long run. Oh, and avoid Bi-Orbs, Fluval Edges and other Nano-tanks - ignore the marketing, they certainly aren't ideal for beginners!
Put it somewhere that you spend a fair amount of time so that you get to appreciate it. If it is in the kid's bedroom, then you need to remember to keep an eye on it to make sure that everything is ok.
Don't be daunted though - it is pretty easy to create a great setup that not only looks great, but is also a good environment for the inhabitants. Like all things, if you are going to do it, you may as well do it properly.
Great idea for the kids - I got my first tank when I was 7 and pretty much kept fish ever since then. It's a great way to teach your kids about responsibility if they have to look after the fish, and they can also learn a lot about science and the natural world from the process.
Whilst small tanks can work (I have four 18" tanks), they are much harder to maintain properly so if you can get away with it, I would try to get a 36" tank minimum as it will make everything easier in the long run. Oh, and avoid Bi-Orbs, Fluval Edges and other Nano-tanks - ignore the marketing, they certainly aren't ideal for beginners!
Put it somewhere that you spend a fair amount of time so that you get to appreciate it. If it is in the kid's bedroom, then you need to remember to keep an eye on it to make sure that everything is ok.
Don't be daunted though - it is pretty easy to create a great setup that not only looks great, but is also a good environment for the inhabitants. Like all things, if you are going to do it, you may as well do it properly.
Great idea for the kids - I got my first tank when I was 7 and pretty much kept fish ever since then. It's a great way to teach your kids about responsibility if they have to look after the fish, and they can also learn a lot about science and the natural world from the process.
I would go for a second hand full set-up from ebay or suchlike, unless money is no object, as the kids may 1) go off the idea or 2) like it so much you may want to upgrade. try it out first before spendign big bucks IMO.
On ebay you can filter distance from you.
I'd go for a tropical setup as there are so many varieties of fish to try, from easy to difficult, and you can choose a single species or a community mixed tank. you can have fun changing the look of the tank once establised with different plants, or in the cae of kids - adding fun toys such as divers with air bubbles of treasure chests or plastic sharks etc.
I don't think it matters that the tank will take time to establish, because depending on how old your kids are they can learn about the setup and that good things come to those who wait. they can then also feel part of the process and responsible for the fish. they can help with the initial planting etc. the fun bit is then thay can go to the aquatic shop and help choose thier own fish.
this may be a good start, but they are nicer with matching under-cabinets IMO, as you need to be sure that the surface they stand on can take the weight:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Juwel-Rekord-70-Litre-Fi...
On ebay you can filter distance from you.
I'd go for a tropical setup as there are so many varieties of fish to try, from easy to difficult, and you can choose a single species or a community mixed tank. you can have fun changing the look of the tank once establised with different plants, or in the cae of kids - adding fun toys such as divers with air bubbles of treasure chests or plastic sharks etc.
I don't think it matters that the tank will take time to establish, because depending on how old your kids are they can learn about the setup and that good things come to those who wait. they can then also feel part of the process and responsible for the fish. they can help with the initial planting etc. the fun bit is then thay can go to the aquatic shop and help choose thier own fish.
this may be a good start, but they are nicer with matching under-cabinets IMO, as you need to be sure that the surface they stand on can take the weight:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Juwel-Rekord-70-Litre-Fi...
Fas1975 said:
Also, where do I purchase? THere's a pet superstore near me, is that a good a place as any? Or specialist pet stores? Or even via online ordering?
Oh - i forgot to say, i'd rather go to a dedicated aquatic shop rather than pets at home for example. at least until you have got the hang of fishkeeping. a specialist will be a wealth of knowledge. i'd go there before you buy anything, as speaking to someone in the trade will be so much better than even researching on here maybe.(but don't go buying everything in the first place you go to - try a couple of aquatic shops first)
Fantastic info yet again. Thank you!
@pig dog. Why do you say avoid the bi-orbs and smaller aquariums? Again. this is my naivety showing through, but I thought smaller tanks would be less of a handful to get to grips with? But you've killed my hypothesis with your statement
I like the idea of the starter kits off ebay, will have a hunt around. I think i'll pass this being a Christmas thing, there's obviously a lot I have to research into :s which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more I know, the more I can teach the kids.
@pig dog. Why do you say avoid the bi-orbs and smaller aquariums? Again. this is my naivety showing through, but I thought smaller tanks would be less of a handful to get to grips with? But you've killed my hypothesis with your statement
I like the idea of the starter kits off ebay, will have a hunt around. I think i'll pass this being a Christmas thing, there's obviously a lot I have to research into :s which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more I know, the more I can teach the kids.
Fas1975 said:
Fantastic info yet again. Thank you!
@pig dog. Why do you say avoid the bi-orbs and smaller aquariums? Again. this is my naivety showing through, but I thought smaller tanks would be less of a handful to get to grips with? But you've killed my hypothesis with your statement
The smaller the volume of water the more difficult it is to keep the water clean and the water chemistry stable. its easier for large fluctuations to occur which can kill fish. a larger tank and less populated its easier to manage for novices.@pig dog. Why do you say avoid the bi-orbs and smaller aquariums? Again. this is my naivety showing through, but I thought smaller tanks would be less of a handful to get to grips with? But you've killed my hypothesis with your statement
mr2mk1chick said:
The smaller the volume of water the more difficult it is to keep the water clean and the water chemistry stable. its easier for large fluctuations to occur which can kill fish. a larger tank and less populated its easier to manage for novices.
now that it's in black and white, makes perfect sense. Muchos Gracias.Aquaone 340 was what we bought a couple of months ago - Seapets was supplier as local shop had none in.
PAH get mixed reviews on here some like them others don't
Go back through a few threads on here there's a mine of info but yes you need to start now and how do you keep it hidden until Santa gets it down the chimney?
PAH get mixed reviews on here some like them others don't
Go back through a few threads on here there's a mine of info but yes you need to start now and how do you keep it hidden until Santa gets it down the chimney?
Spot on advice from pigdog.
If I were you I'd definitely go tropical and if you don't want to have to explain to the kids why fish keep dying have a read of this:
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-...
It will take about a month to cycle but you can do an instant cycle if you know someone who has a mature fish tank with an internal filter - taking some of the filter media (the sponge inside) and putting it into your own filter instantly cycles the tank.
To reinforce pigdogs point, the bigger the tank you can go for the better. Personally the absolute minimum I would look at would be 65 litres - 2x1x1ft. But the bigger you can get the easier you'll find fishkeeping - a simple mistake such as the kids overfeeding could mean a few dead fish in a small tank, or no dead fish in a bigger one.
Second hand ebay tanks are the way ahead in my opinion.
Get your advice from the internet/here and other forums rather than fish shops. I've seen some of the atrocious and out of date advice given to people who know no better. You've started well by doing your research before buying. There is so much information available on the net, don't take chances on dodgy advice from a confident sounding fish shop owner whose knowledge is 20 years out of date.
Finally, don't be daunted - once you get a stable setup (fairly easy really) you'll rarely need to do anything more than daily feeding and weekly water changes.
What I'd suggest is that once you've got a tank picked out (or you've decided how big you can get away with) post it on here and I'll be happy to post some stocking suggestions (with some pics) if it's any help, and I'm sure others would be willing to do likewise.
If I were you I'd definitely go tropical and if you don't want to have to explain to the kids why fish keep dying have a read of this:
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-...
It will take about a month to cycle but you can do an instant cycle if you know someone who has a mature fish tank with an internal filter - taking some of the filter media (the sponge inside) and putting it into your own filter instantly cycles the tank.
To reinforce pigdogs point, the bigger the tank you can go for the better. Personally the absolute minimum I would look at would be 65 litres - 2x1x1ft. But the bigger you can get the easier you'll find fishkeeping - a simple mistake such as the kids overfeeding could mean a few dead fish in a small tank, or no dead fish in a bigger one.
Second hand ebay tanks are the way ahead in my opinion.
Get your advice from the internet/here and other forums rather than fish shops. I've seen some of the atrocious and out of date advice given to people who know no better. You've started well by doing your research before buying. There is so much information available on the net, don't take chances on dodgy advice from a confident sounding fish shop owner whose knowledge is 20 years out of date.
Finally, don't be daunted - once you get a stable setup (fairly easy really) you'll rarely need to do anything more than daily feeding and weekly water changes.
What I'd suggest is that once you've got a tank picked out (or you've decided how big you can get away with) post it on here and I'll be happy to post some stocking suggestions (with some pics) if it's any help, and I'm sure others would be willing to do likewise.
Great advice here so far, so there isn't really much else to say.
All I will say is that I really do value the advice of others who are more experienced.
When I was first starting up its easy to think that you can just get on with it, but you soon start to realise I NEED HELP.
Just listen to the advice people have to offer and take it on board and you will be fine.
Oh, and definately use the fishless cycling method, those who have asked advice on here and gone against is using the fish in cycle have come to realise it's cruel and 9/10 times - it fails.
Good luck getting it all set up, and keep us posted on how you are getting on.
All I will say is that I really do value the advice of others who are more experienced.
When I was first starting up its easy to think that you can just get on with it, but you soon start to realise I NEED HELP.
Just listen to the advice people have to offer and take it on board and you will be fine.
Oh, and definately use the fishless cycling method, those who have asked advice on here and gone against is using the fish in cycle have come to realise it's cruel and 9/10 times - it fails.
Good luck getting it all set up, and keep us posted on how you are getting on.
I *think* if you want some excitement you may be able to add some shrimp or something to a tank at Xmas as if you have a 36" tank then there is no way that a few small shrimp will cause enough waste to become a problem and the food and their waste may help start to cycle the tank.
I am *not* saying put 10 fish in that week Just that once the temp is right after a week and the plants are settled in you might be able to get something living in it after that, to hold their interest. 4 - 6 weeks is quite long and I did mine after 2 by putting in just a few tiny fish to get it started and they were fine. Just check the water with a test kit and a few 10% water changes can be done. The internal filters now are awesome.
You can also get some really tiny rose barbs or perhaps some little guppies etc on week 2. This does mean that you might not be able to get certain fish later on if you get some tiny stuff but with kids I would recommend tetras, and live bearers and have a nice mix rather than anything big like Angel Fish.
They are a big chain but I don't think you can go far wrong with Maidenhead Aquatics. Always served me well.
I am *not* saying put 10 fish in that week
Just that once the temp is right after a week and the plants are settled in you might be able to get something living in it after that, to hold their interest. 4 - 6 weeks is quite long and I did mine after 2 by putting in just a few tiny fish to get it started and they were fine. Just check the water with a test kit and a few 10% water changes can be done. The internal filters now are awesome. You can also get some really tiny rose barbs or perhaps some little guppies etc on week 2. This does mean that you might not be able to get certain fish later on if you get some tiny stuff but with kids I would recommend tetras, and live bearers and have a nice mix rather than anything big like Angel Fish.
They are a big chain but I don't think you can go far wrong with Maidenhead Aquatics. Always served me well.
BluePurpleRed said:
I *think* if you want some excitement you may be able to add some shrimp or something to a tank at Xmas as if you have a 36" tank then there is no way that a few small shrimp will cause enough waste to become a problem and the food and their waste may help start to cycle the tank.
I am *not* saying put 10 fish in that week Just that once the temp is right after a week and the plants are settled in you might be able to get something living in it after that, to hold their interest. 4 - 6 weeks is quite long and I did mine after 2 by putting in just a few tiny fish to get it started and they were fine. Just check the water with a test kit and a few 10% water changes can be done. The internal filters now are awesome.
You can also get some really tiny rose barbs or perhaps some little guppies etc on week 2. This does mean that you might not be able to get certain fish later on if you get some tiny stuff but with kids I would recommend tetras, and live bearers and have a nice mix rather than anything big like Angel Fish.
They are a big chain but I don't think you can go far wrong with Maidenhead Aquatics. Always served me well.
Am afraid I'm going to disagree on a couple of points:I am *not* saying put 10 fish in that week
Just that once the temp is right after a week and the plants are settled in you might be able to get something living in it after that, to hold their interest. 4 - 6 weeks is quite long and I did mine after 2 by putting in just a few tiny fish to get it started and they were fine. Just check the water with a test kit and a few 10% water changes can be done. The internal filters now are awesome. You can also get some really tiny rose barbs or perhaps some little guppies etc on week 2. This does mean that you might not be able to get certain fish later on if you get some tiny stuff but with kids I would recommend tetras, and live bearers and have a nice mix rather than anything big like Angel Fish.
They are a big chain but I don't think you can go far wrong with Maidenhead Aquatics. Always served me well.
I wouldn't recommend putting shrimp in until the tank is cycled. In some respects they are pretty hardy (presuming that we are talking about the more commonly available shrimp), but all crustaceans are very sensitive to metals, and also dislike chlorine. Whilst that is unlikely to be a problem in a new tank with just shrimp in, if you add a couple of fish and they have a bad reaction to the new tank, your ability to medicate will be limited.
Shrimp have an almost neutral bio-load (meaning that you aren't as constrained by numbers in the same way as you are with fish) but they generally feed from algae, surplus food, and other waste within the tank - they do not like shiny new tanks (won't die as long as they are fed, but won't breed or be as colourful as they would otherwise). You will also find that they don't create enough waste to encourage the necessary bacteria. You need ammonia to kickstart the bacteria, and the shrimp won't be fans of you adding ammonia. Please don't add shrimp until the tank has been set up with fish in for a couple of months (without any medication, especially anti-snail medication - if you have medicated, then it may take much much longer to remove all traces).
I'll hold my hands up to say that I have done 'accelerated' fishless cycles in the past (minimum 2 weeks with one week of steady levels)- but then again I fully understand how to interpret the results from a testing kit and have experience of how much ammonia/calcium/peat etc needed to make small changes to water quality. This is beyond beginner level - and certainly not recommended in a smaller tank.
I also wouldn't recommend guppies for cycling (or many common livebearers for that matter) as they are no longer the hardy fish that they used to be due to heavy incestuous breeding. The same applies to neons and quite a few other popular fish. If you must use this method, then you need extremely hardy, tolerant fish. I've often used harlequins as my first fish in a tank because my harlequins were pretty indestructible and were (when I bought them) wild-caught - however, I've heard conflicting stories with my own experience. I've not kept barbs for a long time so can't comment on how hardy they are nowadays.
If you don't want to explain to your kids why you have lost fish, then far easier to wait the 4-6 weeks and do it properly. If you want to accelerate it a little, then the only safe way to do that is to buy a filter now, and start it running in someone else's existing tank. If you don't have access to another tank, then running the filter in a bucket in the garden with some oak leaves in will help (but then you risk outside contamination from other beasties - snails, insect larvae etc), but it will only cut down the cycling time by days rather than weeks.
Mubby said:
Im getting a medium biorb for xmas (30 litre) , not everyones favorite tank from what I have read but I have been reading up and getting advice online from people who do rate them and have succesful set ups and and looking forward to getting it all set up
On behalf of the vast majority of fishkeepers:
Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of bi-orbs (I have a 60l bi-orb and have set up a bi-ube for my parents), but the 30l tank is too small unless you are only planning on keeping a single betta in it.
- 30l limits you to only a couple of fish max, and most say that due to the lack of surface area then a bi-orb further reduces this (I disagree slightly, but that is covered on another thread)
- small size means maintenance requirements are increased tenfold, and made difficult by limited access to the tank
- substrate is unsuitable for growing live plants
- substrate is unsuitable for most types of catfish
- curved sides mean that it is actually very difficult to see the fish
- you can't add a background, so unless you have dark walls, the tank will look washed out and empty (which only encourages you to add more fish)
- you are tied in to using bi-orb products, which are far more expensive than those for regular tanks
If you must, then please do heed the advice about fishless cycling and only add suitable fish (i.e. only a couple of small fish, and not fish who like to shoal). Personally, the only thing I would do with a 30l bi-orb is to throw away all the bi-orb gubbins, put it in a dark corner, change the substrate to a dark sand, add a small power filter (using a heater mounting bracket), add some plants and plenty of java moss and use it as a shrimp tank.
I do understand why people like them, but they are not beginner fish tanks.
Once again, pigdog is saving me a lot of typing. I think we may not have seen eye to eye on Biorbs before (I'm not a fan of them) but a very balanced post.
For £30 you can pick up a good condition second hand 65L tank with lighting, filtration and heating. Add £2 for some play sand as substrate (or pop around to my house and take as much as you need, I've got loads) and start a fishless cycle and voila - a month later you've got a practical and flexible setup that will look good and give you a good start in fish keeping.
For £30 you can pick up a good condition second hand 65L tank with lighting, filtration and heating. Add £2 for some play sand as substrate (or pop around to my house and take as much as you need, I've got loads) and start a fishless cycle and voila - a month later you've got a practical and flexible setup that will look good and give you a good start in fish keeping.
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