homework

Question
hello sorry just wanted to no what equipment and how you would recommend starting a tropical fish tank about 30" long (18 gallon) to a complete beginner to fishkeeping

Answer
Loaded question Scott, you first need to know whether you are keeping cold or tropical freshwater fish. The difference? Well, simply cold water and fish like goldfish and tropical need a heater to keep the water temp at least in the 70's. You also need a good filter for either type of fish and decor such as gravel for the bottom, plants for security, and possibly rocks and caves for hiding. You also need a fish net to move the fish from bag to tank or to remove the fish to clean the tank. You need a cover, but I am assming you have that, just a glass canopy and light. You also need water declorinator. I would recommend starting with tropical fish as they are usually more hardy than goldfish. Goldfish are often considered starter fish but in my experience this is far from the truth. To begin goldfish are dirty and require frequently cleaned tanks and frequently cleaned filters to be healthy. The goldfish are also prone to ick, a disease that looks like salt on the fish. Ick tends to thrive in cold water and is present in all tap water and the stressed goldfish provides a comfy home for the ick to flurish. On the other hand, a tropical tank with a temp of 80-85 usually never battles ick due to the fact that ick tends to die in hotter water. If you choose to start a tropical tank my recommendations will follow, if not please let me know and I will recommend the best options for coldwater.

Tropical freshwater equipment:

1. Tank
2. Glass canopy and light
3. Filter (basic box filter of appropriate size with    replacement cartridges)
4. Gravel (the smaller the better but do NOT use sand. Use the gravel for fish tanks you can buy in the local fish store)
5. Plants and caves/rocks
6. A heater (preferably with a temperature aqjustment on the heater, to be able to adjust the temp to the correct level. Also make sure the appropriate size for your tank)
7. De-clorinator
8. Fish net (medium should work for most fish able to fit in the 18 gallon tank)

After you have all of these items, fill the tank with basic tap water. Once filled, declorinate the water following the directions. Never add water to the tank without declorinating it first, the fish will die. Once the tank is filled and declorinated place the filter, following the directions, on the tank (be sure to wash out the filter cartridge before starting the filter). Than place the heater in the tank making sure to align the water level requirement on the heater to the water level of your tank. Than place the glass canopy and light on the tank and plug everything in (filter, heater, and light). You should fill the filter half way before starting, it should mention this in the filter instruction, it simply helps the filter start the right way. Once everything is pluged in make sure there is no leaks and everything is working the right way. Let is sit!!! For at least 48 hours. It is super tempting to go out right away and get a fish but you will just be sorry for it in a few days if you do that. After 48 hours and periodically checking it to make sure everything is working correctly you should find a good petstore where you want to get your fish. Preferably try to find a private store not a main chain store, as the chain stores tend to have weak stock (fish) and dont really know what they are doing. Once you find a good store go there, not to buy, but to check out the fish and see which ones you like. Once you know the ones you like, write them down. Once you write them down you can look them up and find out what kind of habitate they like. Sometimes even a private fish store is only in it for the money so try not to solely rely on the people at the store to tell you about the fish. It is a bad idea to go to the store and find a fish you like and know nothing about and ask the clerk about it and he lies or doesnt know what he is saying and you get it home and it doesnt work out. No matter the fish, you should get some cleaners, these are fish that eat algae and clean the bottom for you reducing the cleaning you have to do, but not replacing it. Those fish are called algae eaters, bottom feeders and are usually plecos and catifsh (cory) or snails. You should first get one or two cleaners and put them in the tank and wait a day or so. They are usually get the tank going and are usually pretty hardy and will survive the cycle of your tank setting up. Now all you need to find out is what else you want to add. But DO NOT over stock. It all depends on the fish you get as to how many you can have but it is always better to have just a few than a bunch and a nasty tank. It would also be a good idea to get one really clean, nice-looking live aquarium plant. This will help to cycle the tank and filter the water. Keep in mind, you may have a few fish die on you, this is something that happens to everyone and you will probably see parasites and diseases and should educate yourself on what to look for, as these things can be treated and cured. Patience is always a wonderful aspect to fish keeping and is greatly appreciated by the fish as well. Let me know what kind of fish you plan to get and I will continue to help you set up the proper tank. Also, I am sure you have a bunch of questions so dont hesitate to ask, better safe than sorry.
                                        Rachel A.