I was recently at a LFS and noticed how awesome fish are. I particularly liked the salt water ones, but I figured I should start with freshwater. I need to know alot of stuff. First off, I need to know what I need.
Here's what I already have access too:
tank (either 10, 15, or 20 gallon)
filter
heater
light

Things I think I need:
One of those bubble rock things
water dechlorinizer (I think)
substrate
decorations
pH/ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kits
fish food

Okay, I pretty much need to know how much this stuff costs. Did I miss anything I need? Should all of this be readily available at my LFS?

I know one of the fish I get will be a betta (hopefully Halfmoon), but I think just 1 fish will be a little boring. I really like eels, so I tried to find some freshwater eel-like fish that are good for a small tank. I found out about fire eels, and they look awesome. But I don't have a big enough tank, so that will have to wait. I want to know about Kuhli loaches- would I be able to put a halfmoon betta in a 10 gallon tank with 4-6 Kuhlis? How about a 15 or 20 gallon? What do these fish eat (I think bettas eat pellets, but what do Kuhlis like) and will these foods be available at my LFS?

Now onto the next thing: cycling. I did some research on this, and I got the general idea. I'll say what I think is right, correct me if I'm wrong. So I could buy some cheap fish and put them in my tank. Their waste will be converted into ammonia, then nitrite, then nitrate. Nitrate forms some beneficial bacteria that feeds on ammonia, which can kill my fish otherwise. Alternatively, i could use items from a healthy tank instead of live fish, as they could die in the proccess.

Do I have that right? Is there anything I can do other than live fish or items from another tank. I was told simply fish flakes would work. Would the product Tetra SafeStart work? Anything else?
How long will cycling take with each of these methods? Do I have to test ammonia/nitrite/nitrate every day during cycling? What should the levels be after cycling?

How often does water have to be changed, and what percent of the tank? Do I have to add anyting to the water when I change it? Tell me what I need to do.

How often should I clean the tank completely? When I do, do I have to recycle it? Tell me what I need to do. Also, are there any fish I can get to help eat algae and just keep my tank a bit cleaner?

I think I've covered almost everything I have questions about. A bit lengthy, but I really need to know this. I figured this would get some better answers than "I want an aquarium with a betta and loaches, what do I do?" Thanks to anyone who responds!

I suggest going with the biggest tank you can, the bigger it is the easier the maintenance is.

Things you need:
Tank
Substrate--price depends
Live plants--can get a lot her from members for a good price
Api master test kit (25 dollars)
Heater-15-25 dollars
food
fish

Bettas eat betta pellets, and there are many kinds on the market. bettas also need a temperature of about 84-86 degrees and a low water current, so please be sure whatever tank mates are with him/her also like these conditions. Research your fish before you buy them so you do not have any issues

Could also do a fishless cycle if seeded media isnt available. This process uses plain ammonia to start the cycle. I just finished one, it took 3 weeks as opposed to 6-8 with a fish in cycle.

I do 50% water once a week. as for cleaning completely, not often. maybe once a year. Remember all the bacteria from the cycle? cleaning it will kill it so it is not something you want to do often.

As for algae eaters, you can do a small bristle nose pleco, but will also need to provide it with other food and wood to eat.

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

do a beaslbob build (search for it here)

substrate 1" peat moss, 1" play sand, 1" pc select (or gravel)

plant (10g) 3-6 bunches of anacharis, 4-6 vals, 4-6 small potted, 1 amazon sword.

wait one week.

add 1 fish (male platy)

wait one week no feeding

add more fish (2 female platys)

start feeding 1 flake per day.

no mechanical filter or circulation, no chemicals, no water changes (just replace evaporative water).

result in 6 months you have a tank full of fish with a stable population that will last for years.


still just my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

Personally, I would rather not have a tank full of inbred platys in favor of maintenance free. But that's just me.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!