pet fish

[Andydg]

Originally Posted by AlmostStock

[size=2]Just how is a 17 inch fish a good starter fish? Since it will eventually will need a LARGE tank, (if you keep it alive that long) it is not.

Like I said in my first post a bigger tank is actually better to start off with. It's easier to maintain a large tank than a smaller one (it might take more time to clean but it's easier). They are a good starter fish because they are VERY hardy fish and it's hard to over feed them because they are pigs and will suck down food like a vaccuum.

The Bala Sharks pet stores sell are usually around 3-4 inches but they will grow to about 17 inches, in less than 2 years if they are well taken care of.

The most important part of starting a new tank is cycling the tank (getting the bacteria growing that will break down ammonia). You can buy the bacteria from pet stores, you can buy BIO balls from the pet stores (don't buy any from their tanks if you have an already established tank), or you can buy some cheap fish that don't produce a hell of a lot of waste like a few zebra danios to get your tank cycled.

[AlmostStock]

My point of discouraging getting fish that will grow large, is they will eventually require large ($$$) tanks, (ok, large pan for Fred!) Why commit yourself to this when you're not even sure you'll enjoy the hobby?

Still, Andy's advice is sound, larger tanks are more stable. Anyway, the Betta is a good choice. They stay small and are hardy, but only have a short lifespan. (two years tops after mature)

[davida6302]

-------> practices the "catch and relese in the grease program"....lol

[sganc4life_4]

Now Im interested in getting a fish lol. Bala sharks or anything a little more exotic(sp) sound really cool, and I dont mind putting more effort into taking care of a salt water tank. Can anyone give me a website or a quick run down on procedures and how important temperatures and pH levels are?

[Andydg]

Originally Posted by sganc4life_4

Now Im interested in getting a fish lol. Bala sharks or anything a little more exotic(sp) sound really cool, and I dont mind putting more effort into taking care of a salt water tank. Can anyone give me a website or a quick run down on procedures and how important temperatures and pH levels are?

aquariumadvice.com is a great fish site, for saltwater, freshwater, and brackish.

[-Jayson-]

get some turtles, they are great pets and alot cooler than fish, red eared sliders is what i have, they are cool little guys. They actually have personalities, one is very inquisitive and likes to explore, likes it out of the tank and running around the apartment, the other is very shy and just likes to be left alone. They are cool pets, you can get a baby red eared slider at a pet store for like 10-15 bucks each, they are about the size of a quarter if not smaller then, but they can grow to be much bigger. Ive had mine for about a year now and they are about 3-4 inche diameter in there shells.

I feed mine food pellets, they are in a 20 gallon long tank. I want to get a bigger one soon. They are easy to take care of a well feed turtle can live for up to a week without food. If i go away on vacation i make sure there are fish in the tank, usually fancy tailed guppies so that if they want to, they can eat the fish. Which they do if they can catch them. You also dont need to worry about water quality as much, since turtles in the wild normally live in swampy murky water areas, even though i still keep my water as clean as i can. I usually change the water once a week with a gravel hose, i change about 75% of the water. Takes me about 15 minutes to do from start to finish. I do recommend a really good fitler, for turtles they recommend to keep the water clean that the filter be able to filter all the water in the tank 3 times an hour. So if you have a 20 gallon tank you need a fillter that flows 60 GPH or close. Turtles poop alot, they are little poop machines, which is the reason needed for a good filter and frequent water changes.

Also if you decide to get turtles, if you plan on using gravel for the bottom, use a large size gravel, for some reason turtles like to eat sand and small rocks, no idea why, i see mine eating them all the time. SO far they havent been affected by it and they just pass the rocks. I try to pick out small rocks in the tank when i see them.

If you want i can post some pictures of my turtles and the setup.

[davida6302]

andydg... goto fishheads.org there you'll find advice and epuipment for sale.