Tropical fish

[tinkerbell23]

I would love dearly to keep some tropical fish.

I like the look of biorb tanks (i said ages ago on here)

I also am open to other tanks but nothing MASSIVE as i dont have the space?

I will invest in a few books and read up however looking for advice on tanks, most likely warm water.....and fish- i love colourfull things and would have my eye on coloured beautiful fish....but obviously would need fish that are compatable and ultimately happy!

So...over to you for advice? How to make a happy tank xx

[Richard1966]

Hi

Biorbs are nice. I had one for a while and it was ok. Bit fiddly to clean the filter but many are like that.

Tropical fish are harder to look after than cold water fish as they tend to need very specific conditions, not just temperature but also nitrate levels. Many cold water fish are a bit more tolerant of some variation but not always.

Its a bit of a minefield and I seriously suggest you read a lot, talk to your local specialist retailer and expect to lose a few fish in the first few weeks.

If you have specific fish in mind then its even more important that you look at the conditions they need carefully. It might not be possible or practical to maintain those conditions in a BiOrb.

Good luck.

[B00]

Really wouldn't recommend a Biorb tank, they're dreadful.

[divegirl]

Tropical are not any harder to keep, it really is all about temperature, if you are keeping cold water fish correctly you should be doing the same tests.

I agree with BOO that Biorbs are not nice tanks [I did a lot of research on them when my daughter wanted one] but if you like it go for it, that said in a 30 ltr there is only one suitable fish and that's a Siamese Fighter, obviously on it's own.
This is a good Tropical forum with loads of info on what tank and setting it up......

http://www.fishforums.net/

For a decent set up you should look at a tank that is 100litres upwards and unless you are confined by space issues the bigger the better. It is an addictive hobby and you will only want to go bigger in the end..

Lisa x

[rowanwitch]

you do need to be disciplined with cleaning filters etc , fluval do some interesting 'designer' tanks now and there are some 'column set ups that can make interesting room dividers so long as you don't hit them too hard when hoovering. But I gave up my aquarium recently as I just couldn't give it a good space in my home

[tinkerbell23]

I must admit i really do like bi orbs....

I will read up etc and obviously id go to an expert when buying the fish!!

Just wondering what "residents" i may have :0)

The biggest orb probs- and ill check that link out thankssss xxx

[divegirl]

The only problem with going to an 'expert' aka local fish shop [LFS] is that a lot of the time they will sell you anything....they are mostly in it to make money. That's why I suggested the forum above.
Like I said a 30l really is only any good for a solitary fish. Thats why fighters are perfect [ and beautiful]
This is mine....Foo [fighter]

[IMG]http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k631
/divegirl1211/FootheFighter001.jpg[/IMG]


In a 60l you could look at things like microrasboros

http://galaxias.pl/im...crorasb%20erythro.jpg

What ever you get for a Biorb needs to be very small.

Lisa x

[divegirl]

arghhhhhhh

Foo

http://i1119.photobuc.../FootheFighter001.jpg

[tinkerbell23]

Foo is gorgeous xxx

[hammerman]

Lisa...that fighter is something else. I turned ,my conservatory into a Siamease fighter breeding project and ended up with more babies than i could cope with....one spawning gave me 200 babies which all made it to adulthood !!!!!

Tinkerbell, just to add that tropical fish are no harder than coldwater...infact due to the amount of waste and muck coldwater fish throw out, they need a much bigger filter system.

If you like the biorb, go for it. Not my thing but i know a lot of people who have them and love em. Just get the biggest you can.

As for fish, ideally you should go for a few bottom dwellers...maybe a trio of panda or peppered corydorus, some midwater swimmers....maybe a small group of tetras such as neons, lemon tetras or rummynose tetras, and a few for the upper levels such as a small group of white cloud mountain minnows or zebra danios. I'd then add a pair of platies or swordtails and maybe a pair of small honey gouramies. A small clown or bristle nose pleco or some otocinclus will help with any algea issues.

That's my suggestions. Avoid......Angel fish and other cichlids, as cute as they are, they will get too big and be aggressive. Guppies....not beginners fish anymore. Siamease fighters (often called Bettas)...will get ripped to pieces and can be nasty. Some barbs such as tiger barbs can be agressive as can some larger tetras such as serpae or red eyed tetras.

You'll make mistakes....my gawd i'm still making them after keeping fish for nearly 40 years but if you ask questions, you'll generally get good answers. Get a decent book, find a decent aquatic dealer and you'll be fine. Oh...regular maintenance once a week...water change, clean glass etc is essential...don't skimp on that part.

Good luck and keep asking

[erin-x]

I'm loving Foo, Lisa!! Lol! :D

Tink... We have Shubunkin goldfish which are really pretty. Just an alternative to look at if you didn't want the hassle of tropical fish :-)

[erin-x]

This is our two, Cheech and Chong. Not a very good picture though :| http://i40.tinypic.com/71qt0n.jpg

They are really pretty and quite colourful :).... http://www.google.co....QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=643