chiplee Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I was given a 30gallon aquarium and all the supplies to set it up. Just need fish. Anyway, the filter is a top fin 30 and I tried filling the tank and powering everything up to see what works and what doesn't before I go to petsmart and I can't get the filter to flow any water. Does it need to be primed or something? how does it work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreal Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Filter pump needs primed (water in it) to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Filter pump needs primed (water in it) to work. yeah it's working now. had water in it before but it wouldn't pump up. emptied it, tried it again and it's working. go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Be sure to use a water conditioner or at least get the chlorine out, Get temperature stabilized. Then add the fish, many sites have info along with the pet stores Tetras have been the hardiest for me, along with Kreals 2 6" goldfish. Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komeuppance Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'm running twin sequential top fins, a 30 and then a 40. LOL... Keep this water cleaner longer. -Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewelz76 Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Be sure to use a water conditioner or at least get the chlorine out, Get temperature stabilized. Then add the fish, many sites have info along with the pet stores Tetras have been the hardiest for me, along with Kreals 2 6" goldfish. Dad I agree with dad.. Make sure you water is cycled before you put fish in it. Best thing for you to do is go out and buy yourself a water test kit too. Just passing tips along.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Be sure to use a water conditioner or at least get the chlorine out, Get temperature stabilized. Then add the fish, many sites have info along with the pet stores Tetras have been the hardiest for me, along with Kreals 2 6" goldfish. Dad yeah, we're setting it up tonight slowly. I'm going to fill it and condition the water and give it 72 hours to stabilize, temp and ph and ammonia and all that. Then test it before putting any fish in. I'm setting it up as tropical so, as I'm sure you guys know, the first 15 or 20 fish will be a couple hundred dollars. Don't want to kill them all. Right now I can't decide where to put it in the house. If it's in an area with alot of light will algae grow faster? Or does the hood light cause that anyway? Also, if you're really into it, what's a good mix of tropical fish that are compatible. All I really remember is Oscars seem to fight with everything. I figure it's best to add one type at a time whatever you add, but what's a good hardy fish to start the tank on and do you think 2 weeks is enough time for that first school to get acclimated before adding another school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 i have one oscar in a 55 gal tank and he's growded a 30 isnt big enough get a jack dempsy or a convict Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Start out with about 6-10 fish, community tank, the pets store will help ya, don't put a bunch in until it's had some time to settle. hate to see 30 fish die at once. start out with some hardy ( cheap) fish till you get familiar with taking care of them. Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQF Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Light will promote algea but you can keep that at bay by using real plants. Real plants use the nutrients so the algea can't bloom easily. I also buy 15 feeder goldfish to start a tank instead of the water conditioner. They add the bacteria faster and it is more natural (look I'm huggin a tree!). We've had tanks all of our lives, from 4gal on my desk at work to 250 gallon that week took down last year. Once the feederfish have been in there a week I take them out and feed them to something that likes them. Right now the water dragon digs on fish like crazy! Good luck with the tank, you can have 30 inches of fish in the tank, anyhting more than that will create a situation where it may be impossible to reach stasis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Light will promote algea but you can keep that at bay by using real plants. Real plants use the nutrients so the algea can't bloom easily. I also buy 15 feeder goldfish to start a tank instead of the water conditioner. They add the bacteria faster and it is more natural (look I'm huggin a tree!). We've had tanks all of our lives, from 4gal on my desk at work to 250 gallon that week took down last year. Once the feederfish have been in there a week I take them out and feed them to something that likes them. Right now the water dragon digs on fish like crazy! Good luck with the tank, you can have 30 inches of fish in the tank, anyhting more than that will create a situation where it may be impossible to reach stasis. cool, any suggestions on fish with alot of color in just a tropical tank. I don't have time to keep after a saltwater tank but I'd kill for bright blue fish in the tank I'm setting up. It'll be various white coral and lava rock on black sand so the fish can be the main attraction. I hate all that figurine crap and castles and whatnot. Just not my thing. I'm afraid the black sand is going to be a regular cleaning chore though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 cool, any suggestions on fish with alot of color in just a tropical tank. I don't have time to keep after a saltwater tank but I'd kill for bright blue fish in the tank I'm setting up. It'll be various white coral and lava rock on black sand so the fish can be the main attraction. I hate all that figurine crap and castles and whatnot. Just not my thing. I'm afraid the black sand is going to be a regular cleaning chore though. ok, it' filtered "twot" with an "a" out of the word saltwoter. that's a little much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanta Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 you should get a colorful mantis shrimp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAinsworth Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 ok, it' filtered "twot" with an "a" out of the word saltwoter. that's a little much. I think I fixed it, you should be able to post saltwater without the edit. jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMeyerhoff Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Keep in mind that it will be easier to keep the fish healthy if the tank isn't heavily loaded with fish. Its best to start a community tank that size with two or three hardy small fish for the first week and then add from there. I usually use White Clouds as cycling fish. Vivid blue is not the most common fish color. For a community tank there are some groumies that are medium sized and bright blue. In a preditory tank there are some chiclids that are blue, but they will be on the large side for a 30 gallon. If you are interested in the sort of non-community/aggressive fish like oscars or other chiclids... I suggest you hunt around for some "shell dwellers". They are better sized for a 30 gallon at only 2" but have all the territorial behavior of the bigger oscars. In a 30 gallon, you could have a group of 6-7 or so and they are fascinating to watch. mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 you should get a colorful mantis shrimp googled it, no thanks. thing's cool though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanta Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 googled it, no thanks. thing's cool though couldn't hurt to keep it in mind in case the fish piss you off or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) thanks for all the replies guys. I'm finding out google is my friend for tracking down colorful freshwater tropical fish. I'll do some research for the next few days while the tank is stabilizing. Found this little guy called a killifish. Pretty impressive for a freshwater fish I think http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/noth_rachovi.jpg Those "shell dwellers" looked pretty cool too Mike. I'm going to have to read up on the difference between community and predatory tanks and all that too. would be cool if I could put a beta in there but I know they're really aggressive. Edited March 23, 2008 by chiplee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 thanks for all the replies guys. I'm finding out google is my friend for tracking down colorful freshwater tropical fish. I'll do some research for the next few days while the tank is stabilizing. Found this little guy called a killifish. Pretty impressive for a freshwater fish I think http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/noth_rachovi.jpg Those "shell dwellers" looked pretty cool too Mike. I'm going to have to read up on the difference between community and predatory tanks and all that too. would be cool if I could put a beta in there but I know they're really aggressive. If you want an aggressive fish that look awesome and easy to keep alive, get some african cichlids man, you can use salt water deco in the tank and it looks almost like a saltwater aquarium. Don't make the mistake I did, I bought a red oscar, and he's a punk! He killed every fish in sight. He consumes my 55 gal. and it's almost too small for him. It's so boring looking though cause it's just him and his buddy a big old plecasomous (sp) and thats only cause he's solid as a rock the oscar can't touch him. I like my oscar but the african cichlids are cooler lookin. Just an idea to throw out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) If you want an aggressive fish that look awesome and easy to keep alive, get some african cichlids man, you can use salt water deco in the tank and it looks almost like a saltwater aquarium. Don't make the mistake I did, I bought a red oscar, and he's a punk! He killed every fish in sight. He consumes my 55 gal. and it's almost too small for him. It's so boring looking though cause it's just him and his buddy a big old plecasomous (sp) and thats only cause he's solid as a rock the oscar can't touch him. I like my oscar but the african cichlids are cooler lookin. Just an idea to throw out there. yeah I've been reading about those. Wish I had a big enough tank to put yellow labs and electric blues together. Just one school each of about 6 fish would be perfect for what I want. One write up I read said for these two fish to be compatible you need a 125 gallon tank with extensive cave and rock hides for the yellow labs and plenty of open water for the electric blues, this crap is crazy. Very cool fresh water fish though. They're cool enough to maybe try to get away with just one kind in a 30 gallon. Most of them seem to require bigger tanks, like 55 gallon or more. I'll keep researching. http://www.mobettafishes.com/albums/album02/iceberg_2males.sized.jpg http://eccentric.cx/wordpress/images/20050317/yellow_lab_female-large.jpg Edited March 23, 2008 by chiplee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiplash Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 http://eccentric.cx/wordpress/images/20050317/yellow_lab_female-large.jpg I have one of those with other African (aka Rift Lake) Cichlids in a 55 gallon. They are some of the most colorful fish, with a personality fish, that are somewhat easy to keep. They prefer rocks stacked over halfway to the top. They like to dig, so no undergravel filter. African Cichlids like the highest pH of any fish. In one of the lakes it was 9.3. I keep mine around 8.3. They also like some salt. I put about one table spoon per gallon. I also have another 55 gallon with a large Snakeskin Groumi, a 9 inch Black Ghost Knifefish, and a huge Rosey Barb. I also have about 5 or 6 more tanks in storage. Killifish are nice colorful fish, but only usually live for a year. They lay eggs daily. Best kept in a pickle jar. Like low pH, love blackish (peat) water. You should get your tap water tested for pH level. Then get fish that likes that. Most home pH are at 7.0. But older homes with old pipes can be 6.0 pH. South American fishes (Angelfish, tetras, etc) like a low pH. Some found in area as low as 5.0. Now you guys know what my oldest hobby is. Anyone ever check out the website Aquaman's Aquarium, or AquaScan. Both closed for several years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pure_insanity Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 yeah, we're setting it up tonight slowly. I'm going to fill it and condition the water and give it 72 hours to stabilize, temp and ph and ammonia and all that. Then test it before putting any fish in. I'm setting it up as tropical so, as I'm sure you guys know, the first 15 or 20 fish will be a couple hundred dollars. Don't want to kill them all. Right now I can't decide where to put it in the house. If it's in an area with alot of light will algae grow faster? Or does the hood light cause that anyway? Also, if you're really into it, what's a good mix of tropical fish that are compatible. All I really remember is Oscars seem to fight with everything. I figure it's best to add one type at a time whatever you add, but what's a good hardy fish to start the tank on and do you think 2 weeks is enough time for that first school to get acclimated before adding another school? congrats on the fish setup. i know nothing about it, so i cant offer anything. however, whats this "we're setting it up" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplee Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 congrats on the fish setup. i know nothing about it, so i cant offer anything. however, whats this "we're setting it up" ? lol, me an the fish and the mouse in my pocket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 lol, me an the fish and the mouse in my pocket Yea man fish are awesome, I prefer cichlids because of their personality. My oscar (which is a big a** cichlid) is nuts. When strangers come up to the tank he attacks the glass viscously, yet if I walk up he just gets all excited, and expects his damn food. I can hold a pellet up to a foot above the water and he'll jump up to get it but only if I do it. And I have to put his tank where he can see the front door, otherwise he gets all bummed out. Some bizarre behavior from a fish. One of my favorite things is I have some drift wood at the bottom of the tank and the left side is his little hole he made, if my move this big drift wood into his hole... he gets PISSED and throws a temper, he'll scoop up rocks in his mouth and spit it on the wood. Then he'll move the wood with his mouth like a tug boat, which is funny because this piece of wood is like 5 times his size, he moves it though lol. African cichlids are very similar. ' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazarin Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I got my dad 2 of those yellow Cichlids for his 75 gal tank. My brother has a 30-some odd gal reef tank w/ some reef-safe fish. I had a 38-gal salt tank w/ a flame angel, lionfish, and a snowflake eel. bad stuff, saltwater is, and not as hard to keep up as some say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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