Fish Tanks and Fish Keeping as a Hobby...

3. Budget. Once you know the budget you will allocate to this
hobby it will be easier for you to determine what specifically
will be most important and consider first on the list of
necessities to purchase for your hobby. I do not recommend
using any used fish equipment of supplies. You have know way of
knowing for sure how they were stored or cleaned. You also have
know way of knowing whether used fish equipment had been used
by someone who's fish potentially were ill or had some sort of
disease that may have residual bacteria or remnants in the
equipment that you would be taking and using to start your new
fish environment. You could end up with some really sick (or
worse) fish on your hands if you use someone else's fish
equipment. I can not stress this one firmly enough.

4. Equipment selection. Look around online. Just look at first.
See what's available or possible. Then also visit your local pet
store (tanks can be heavy and cost allot for shipping - when
purchasing online). Armed with information you have gathered
while educating yourself and seeing what sorts of tanks and
equipment are possible from your online search - you will be in
a better position to make choices once you are in your local pet
store. If you don't see what you are looking for IN the store go
ahead and ask to see if they have a catalog of other items that
can be special ordered. Or, show them the pictures of what you
gathered off the internet and ask them if they are able to order
those items from their supplier. Get an idea of all costs involved
and the final cost to you - before you commit to any "special"
orders. Get the sales order and price quote in writing. Don't
forget to ask about delivery and set-up if those are important
items to you. Obtain all the equipment you will need - BEFORE
you purchase any fish. By obtain, I mean - have it in your home,
or whatever location where you will be setting up your fish tank.
You will then need to assemble everything (which will take about
3 hours) and once everything is assembled including the items you
will put into the tank as decorative items - then fill the tank to
the required level, pouring slowly so as not to disturb anything
you placed into the tank. Let the water set, settle for at least
2 days before you go purchase the fish. Doing this will also
allow you the opportunity to monitor the tank to ensure there
are no leaks before you have fish home in a defective tank that
needs replacing and no where safe to keep your expensive fish in
the meantime. Better safe than sorry. Fish keeping and setting
up a new tank is not a hobby that can be done quickly. But I will
tell you this, doing it the right way is worth the effort. It is
such a stress relieving pleasure to be able to watch your fish
swim and interact in your new fish tank.

5. Purchasing fish. First you will want to select a few starter
fish. Starter fish are small, inexpensive fish that you will want
to keep in the long run, but that are inexpensive enough that if
your tank has problems during the beginning stages and you lose
a fish or two or three - it won't be such a financial pinch. I
recommend that once you have followed all the above steps and
gotten yourself to this point - that you keep these starter fish
and observe them for the first 8 weeks. Once you've made it
successfully past this 8 week cycling - in phase and are sure
that your tank is safe and properly set up and ready for more
fish, then go for it. Slowly.

6. Adding more fish. When you are ready to add more fish to
your tank you will want to do that slowly, in stages. Adding fish
should be done slowly over a period of 1-2 months. Patience is
the key in having a successful tank with the least amount of
fish loss. It is imperative that you follow a routine schedule of
tank maintenance whether the tank appears to need it or not.
There will be times when you can see your tank needs something
and even though it may not yet be time to tend to that on the
maintenance schedule - if you can see that it NEEDS something
taken care of - do it. It's better to catch something early than
to let it develop further and potentially cause any problems.
Having a well cared for, thriving fish environment is not a hobby
for a lazy person, or a person with no spare time. Fish tanks and
fish do take time to maintain. I wholeheartedly believe that they
are well worth it though. It's a hobby where your efforts will
not only benefit you, but everyone that see's the tank and can
enjoy the tank. It's a hobby that gives back.

7. Caring for your fish. Daily observe your tank and maintain
as needed. Feed your fish daily. Do NOT overfeed. Keep the
fish food away from small hands, pets or where it could be spilt.
Do not overpurchase fish food. Do not buy huge bulk supplies of
fish food that will sit and sit and sit on your self for long
periods before it could all be used up. Do not switch back and
forth with different brands of fish foods in any one 2 week
span. If you develop a problem you won't be able to determine
which fish food might be the culprit. Keep fish food stored in a
dry cool place. Do not spray room fresheners, cleaners or pest
control products anywhere near where your fish food is stored.
Protect your fish food supply from dust, pests, extreme
temperatures, bright light.

8. Tank Maintenance. Check your filters and hoses twice each
week on a routine basis. Every week you will need to replace
about 15% of the water. First scrub the tank for algae and allow
a few minutes for it to settle or float to the top. Then begin
removing the water - gently. Remove about 15% of the water
from the tank. Discard the water and rinse the container well
that you put the old water in. Putting new water in (according
to the type and conditions your fish care research instructed).
Gently pour the new - room temperature water, into your tank.
Do this process weekly, routinely, same time each week. Also
keep a monthly watch on the other components such as lights,
cords, clamps, fittings, filters, supply stock and other
miscellaneous related items.

I love seeing people's fish tanks. It's something I never tire of.
I would love to find some online fish cams. Do you know of any ??
I would also love to see pictures of or hear about your
adventures through the "fish keeping" process....

Are there any fish site webrings or fish groups online that you
know about ??

Here's my eMail - and I do want to hear from you - put
something like "Fish Tank" or "Fish Aquarium" in the eMails
subject line... and send your letters to me here:

eMail:
bell.mail (at) gmail.com

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