So I saw an ad, went to see the guy and ended up buying what he had for sale.

15 Gal
canopy with fluorescent light
wood stand
Tetra Whisper EX45 filter
opened pkg of carbon filters for above with three left
Electric heater (hang on the tank type - not submersible
net
thermometer stuck inside tank
siphon
and a couple of plastic plants.

I got it all for $35.00 and had to drive 45 mins to get it... I think its good deal.

Judging from what they said and what I can see on the tank, its has been used very little... perhaps only the one filter change...its still very clean.

I filled it up with water a few minutes ago and it hasn't leaked yet and the filter is madly moving water through itself, without filters installed.

I haven't turned on the heater yet... giving it time to adjust to the existing water temp.. plus I'll have to set up a multi outlet for it.

The filter shows on the box that its suitable for 30-45 gal aquariums, so for this little 15 gal, I may have too much filter... the water is moving pretty fast!

I see a price sticker on the replacement filter box that it was $21.00 CDN, so that will be an ongoing expense, once I get it up and running.

I still have to get a test kit to see what the local water is like and then learn how to adjust it... for now the water in the tank is merely to make sure it does not leak... we are moving to a new home in a couple of weeks, so I won't populate it until after we move.

Then it will be sharing the spotlight with the new system I bought my wife, a 30 Gal tank.

Should be great fun!

Congrats on your new tank! First of all, yes invest in an API master test kit! Secondly, read up on the nitrogen cycle because it is very important. Third, you only need to change the filter cartridge when it starts to fall apart. I know the box says change it monthly, DONT because everytime you change it your tank will go into a cycle again because you are taking out all of the benificial bacteria. And lastly, please research your fish before yo buy so that you have fish that all get alon and are appropriately sized for the tank you have and not overstocked.

and also, consider live plants

__________________
"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

Thanks for the info...

I'm pondering a fresh water, and hopefully well balanced system. Something like beasilbob suggests.

I think my first fish will be some fancy guppies.... I admire their appearance and vigor.

But lots to do before that happens...

I wouldn't use the filters anyway, once they are used up. Just get some filter floss material and replace when it gets dirty. You mentioned something about adjusting your water, just as long as you don't try to adjust your ph you should be okay.

Ok, I'll ask... why should I not try to adjust ph?

My lfs says that our city water is quite hard...

Find out what it is first and go from there. Adjusting ph and using some of the chemicals that they sell at the local store can be dangerous to the health of the fish. Nearly all fish will adjust to your ph with proper acclimation.

Ok, that makes sense, thanks...

I was thinking also of starting with fish that are pretty hardy. Can you suggest a freshwater fish that will be strong and able to adapt to my new tank?

I can use them as sort of a test subject.

Of course I will use the test kit to test the water first.

I mentioned to my lfs guy that I was planning on raising live plants. He suggested a product he has (of course!) that is a nutrient rich substrate.

I forget the name of it, but as soon as I find the note I made I'll mention it here.

The suggestion that I use potting soil/peat moss, under gravel, etc seems really odd... it almost feels like these substances would really cloud and have a huge impact on the water.

I'm going to be setting up two tanks... the 15 gal I mentioned in the original posting here, and then later a 30 gal, once I get my feet wet (hope not!) with the 15 gal.

If you folks have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

Pete

By the way, the 15 gal I bought yesterday held water, no leaks all night, so I think its going to be a good one!