[purelegance]

does anyone have a fish tank? i decided to tell DH that's what i want for christmas. if you have one, is it fresh or salt water? i was debating salt water (prettier fish), but worried it's a lot of upkeep. I had a fresh water tank when i was a kid, but i don't think that really counts. any info would be much appreciated! TIA

[MissyChrissy]

I have a 55-gallon fresh water aquarium. Earlier this year, I had two of them but we remodeled and the 2nd tank never made it back...although all fishies are happily living together in the one.

I chose freshwater because I didn't know a thing about fish-never even had a gold fish in a bowl as a kid. Freshwater are easier to care for, however changing the tank over to salt isn't terribly difficult.

So now it's a waiting game....waiting for my fishies to die off so I can convert. I feel after 5 or 6 years I have the experience and knowledge for a saltwater.

[MommaColleen]

We have always had fresh water because IMO that was the easier route. My brother and SIL have saltwater and man are they pretty. I asked them if it was hard to take care of and they said "no harder than keeping up with the dog". I should note...they do not have any kids to run after though

[mcmama]

I have had freshwater - don't have one now, and am waiting to start up again until after I move.

Once I am into my new place, I am interested in a pond as well as a new fish tank. Anyone have experience with those in N FLorida/Alabama/GA? Problems with freezing? With critters?

[mcmama]

And I think when I move, I may look into a salt water tank. After all, I am going to be less than a mile from the ocean, so why not go with the flow?

[QueenAngie]

Sounds like fun being so close to the ocean!

As a child, we always had freshwater fish tanks at my mother's home. I think at one point, there were 5 huge tanks.

We had a huge tank in the livingroom for a number of years.
Can't tell you how big it was, but as big as the piano bench in size.

It was regular water, not salt water. Initially, we went with the pet store's advise on which fish would be happy together. We had several types.

I really liked the angel fish, but one kept getting bigger and bigger. And eating everything in the tank. Got to be not so much fun after a while with just one big, mean angel fish.

We finally decided it was time to go. Angel fish went to live in a tank twice our tank's size at the neighbor's house. Had several angel fish the same size. Suddenly, he calmed down quite a bit.

Our tank, stand, and supplies went to another neighbor's home. Can't believe we just gave it away, but it left and we had more room in the garage. It was really expensive to start with.

Our pet store had a rule, that the fish tank water, supplies had to be in place, and then bring the water sample back to make certain that the water was acceptable for the fish. That was good thinking before we got the fish.

Have fun shopping for fish & supplies!

[purelegance]

Originally Posted by mcmama

I have had freshwater - don't have one now, and am waiting to start up again until after I move.

Once I am into my new place, I am interested in a pond as well as a new fish tank. Anyone have experience with those in N FLorida/Alabama/GA? Problems with freezing? With critters?

we built my mom a pond w. koi fish 2 years ago. they're still swimming. they survived the winter, even though her pond froze, i guess it didn't completely freeze at the bottom & that's where they hung out for a few months. She added new "baby" kois over the summer... but a frog took up residence in the pond as well, and suddenly the babies were gone.

[purelegance]

thanks for the advice. i think i'm going to tell DH to get salt water supplies, then on new years we'll buy the fish (so the water can settle). our pet store doesn't check water, they will let you go home with everything the same day. (but they're a corporate chain, we don't have any local fish stores anymore). salt water fish are prettier, and it sounds like the only difference is it takes longer to get the correct pH in the beginning. (someone correct me if i'm wrong though!). so now it's just anticipation until christmas.... i feel like a little kid.

[swt1899]

I worked at an aquarium store in college. Saltwater tanks require a a different type of maintenance... not ALOT just different. It may be confusing at 1st, but once you get the water pH, salinity, etc. going... it is usually a breeze. Alway buy "live rock" it helps maintain your tank's balance so you don't have to work as hard. It is a natural rock with algae already growing on it to help your water. You can rearrange it to make your tank look really cool and give your fish a neat reef. Buy crushed coral for the bottom of the tank. It is very easy to clean. The colored rocks will get algae growth faster and won't stay pretty long and sand is just a mess to clean.
Also get a pH testing kit (pH for saltwater should be about 8.4-8.6). Get a nitrate testing kit as well as a nitrite testing kit. Once you get your tank's water ready, add about 5-6 Damsel fish (depending on the size of your tank). They are cheaper and harty and will get the bacteria and nitrates and nitrites going.
Test your water every day during this so you can see how the nitrites cycle through out the life of your tank. You may have some of these fish die, but they are usually the weaker ones that were not in peak health to begin with. Nitrites will peak and go down every so often (meaning don't add any fish during peaks). High nitrites doesn't mean change your water... it is just going through a natural cycle. You will rarely have to do a complete water change... you will usually just do a 1/4 water change or add water.
Once your tank is established with damsels and water chemistry levels, you can add the fish you really want. make sure you check on who gets along with who though. I had a lady who had a lion fish (beautiful fish BTW) who ate her butterfly fish. So check on that. Also don't add too many fish at one time. I would get one fish at a time, let the tank go through another nitrite cycle... as it will anytime you introduce a new fish into the tank... and then get another. If you get live coral, check to see what species of fish may eat them. Corals are beautiful but expensive and you don't want them to die because of someone getting a little hungry.
You will have a beautiful tank over time. And you will enjoy it greatly. For saltwater tanks... time is what you have to give to it... Not completely maintenance, but patience. Let it go through the cycles and you'll do awesome. Best of luck! ENJOY!!!!

[oweirdo]

My Sil has a salt, she has a Nemo (clownfish) an anomne, some other fish I dont remember, loads of sponges and other live things. But she hates the up keep. I have a freshwater, 65 gal, with guppies, cory catfish, tetras glo and neon, and Arfican Dwarf frogs. We have so many differnt colors, I love the blue ones the best