Do it yourself Aquarium

[randomhero97]

Any Freepers have any large aquariums? I looking at getting an aquarium to house multiple species such as turtles, fish, frogs, and/or crabs. I have done some research as to what species would get along with each other but I was wondering if anyone maybe does this for a hobby.

[hosepipe]

[ turtles, fish, frogs, and/or crabs ]

Decide what medium first ... salt or fresh water..
The difference between them is great.. i.e. learning cycle..

[randomhero97]

Thanks. Which would you think would be easier for beginners, salt or fresh water? I would like to have real plant life as well.

[Jemian]

Rave, perhaps you have some experience to share.

[AmericaUnited]

Basic salt with fish only is not too bad, just don’t even dare think of a reef tank :)

[willyd]

Fresh water is tons easier and less expensive when you make mistakes as well. Learn to get a balanced live plant fresh water tank going and you will have the basics you need to start thinking about a second salt water tank.

The basic difference is that salt water fish and animals are a lot more sensitive to even minute changes in the water quality then fresh water animals are. It makes sense if you think about how vast the ocean is and what it would take to change that water quality over night as opposed to a stream or small pond.

[raybbr]

Just don’t put any snapping turtles in with the frogs and fish.

[randomhero97]

Thanks. So I take it you have to constantly check the ph level with salt tanks?

[Joiseydude]

And the salinity levels

[babyfreep]

I’ve had several fresh-water aquariums..great fun and fairly easy to maintain along with adding beauty to your home.
I started out with real plants, but they added to the maintenance time and energy and I didn’t have much of that, so I switched to plastic plants. You can find some pretty real-looking ones.

I have heard that salt-water aquariums are much more difficult to maintain. The fish are alot more expensive, too.

I have had mostly community fish (gouramis are my favorite) - they get along most other fish, too. My next aquarium will be African chiclids...colorful and agressive.

[Viking2002]

I used to be into freshwater community fish (many, many moons ago), and kept five or six tanks. Then I grew up. LOL Currently, I keep two tanks - one is a community tank populated mainly by gouramis of various breeds (pretty fish, cheap, and graceful), and adjacent to that is a 20L(ong) tank with a red-eared slider named Fred. Cantankerous bastard, he is. A few notes on turtles:

1) Keep their water deep enough for them to swim without touching bottom;

2) Be sure they have a rock (or brick, or floating reptile dock) close to their heat lamp (full-spectrum UV), so they can climb up and sun themselves (they shed their plates better when their shell grows);

3) Contrary to popular impression, turtles are omnivores - they love fresh veggies (such as lettuce - you can buy clips that attach to the inside of the tank) and meat (chicken or turkey is best, but Fred is on boiled ham like a rat on a Cheeto);

4) If you put your turtle in a tank with fish or other critters, make sure they're fast, and you have a habitat with places they can hide - the turtle will eat a passing straggler;

5) If you only have one turtle, don't think about buying another one a year down the road - unless you have two or more raised together as young, you'll have a death match on your hands (they're very territorial).

Hope that helps.

[Viking2002]

20 years ago, I was a P/T tank tech at a pet store - the phrase 'reef tank' just sent a chill down my spine.

[randomhero97]

Cool, thanks. I will have to decide if I will have the time for real plant life then.

[AmericaUnited]

My favorite reef tank site is www.gorf.org

[Stayfree]

Some types of fish are inherently vicious, eg. cichlids. We had a 100 gallon aquarium with blues, yellows and striped black on yellow. Cichlids are georgeous fresh water fish, but they will attack each other even within the same species, of which there are hundreds. All fish require air to be pumped into the water which is a problem if your power goes out frequently for extended time periods. We suffered through numerous illnesses like tail rot, bulging eye, flesh diseases, etc. Some are very picky about different fish foods and of course how do they get fed when you are gone!
Bottom line, it’s like having any pet, horse, animal or bird to take care of. Vet bills, medicine, failed air pumps & filters, etc. Better to have lots of fish screen savers!

[AmericaUnited]

Whoops www.garf.org, not gorf

[randomhero97]

If I go with turtles as well I was thinking about building up one side of the tank so it is above the water level.

[Lost Dutchman]

Fresh water is much easier than Salt. Plus the plants and fish etc. are cheaper.

[Joiseydude]

www.garf.org

Wish there were sites like that around when I had my saltwater tank.

[Osage Orange]

I have had aquariums since I was a little kid.....

Whatever you do...go overkill on the filtration system.

The best enviroment I've ever set up is African Cichlids...I enjoyed the Lake Tanganicka (sp.) types the best. A very, very hardy fish....with fantastic colors.

There are many books on these fish.....

[Osage Orange]

Not all cichlids are horribly aggressive.....

I had a 80 gallon tank very wide, compared to high...with 6-8 different types of the small cichlids from Lake Tanganyika...I built a rock enviroment...with coral sand bottom.

Juli's, brichardi, leleupi, etc..etc....Formed a pretty good group that worked....

[Age of Reason]

The best enviroment I've ever set up is African Cichlids.

If you want a landscaped tank, many Chiclids will rearrange it to their liking--which means kiss your plants goodbye.

They'll even dig up the gravel.

Smart fish, though.

[Age of Reason]

Turtles will bite your fish, and even eat the smaller ones (I fed my painted turtle live goldfish).

[Osage Orange]

Never had plants....Just a layered rockscape...with coral sand.

Yeah, they will dig holes. Part of their "fun to watch" power...IMO.

[martin_fierro]

Do what I do:

Get a nice screen saver.

[T Minus Four]

I got a three gallon tank for the kitchen cocunter to see if it will be as much fun as I thought and the answer is no. I want something just about zero maintenance. I am willing to feed the fish daily and change a filter periodically but after killing off three fancy goldfish and a beta, I have decided I’m not willing to do what they said at petco, which is turn the light on and off at set intervals, clean algea off the sides, remove and replace a quantity of the water every week or few days, etc, etc.
I’m just waiting for this beta to croak so I can empty the tank out and give it away.

[gorush]

This homemade 165 gallon fresh water aquarium was plumbed to swimming pool filters in a remote location for silent operation. Get the right silicone to glue the panels together, the bottom panel has holes sized to receive the pipes with the skimmer above.

[east1234]

Can you post a couple more without the glare?
Thanks

[Viking2002]

That'll work. I've found that Petsmart is a great place to start - you can build an entire planet of your own liking with the line of accessories they have. It's light years away from cheesy plastic plants and ceramic 'No Fishing' ornaments that some people throw into their tanks. I'm not into purple gravel and little deep-sea divers blowing bubbles. I'm into having natural-looking aquascapes. I have to admit, tho, once I did go with a theme - I had a tank that - honest to God - looked like Atlantis after it sank. Columns, ancient buildings, shipwrecks, the whole nine yards. Coulda filmed a movie in that sucka. :-)

[skinkinthegrass]

Get a nice screen saver.
LOL!...I must admit, it cleaner..less smell..no live feeders..no excitement, if one gets loose (20 yrs w/ Snakes, Lizards, Skinks & Turtles) ...but don't add any water.

[Viking2002]

Rule of thumb: the larger the tank, the less the short-term maintenance.

But when it's time for The Big One, take a vacation day. The invasion of Normandy required less planning.

[gorush]

We sold that place 17 years ago and, unfortunately, don't have anything that is much better, but here is another...

[randomhero97]

That would be awesome to see. Do you have any pics of it setup?

[gorush]

It was full of Angelfish, neon tetras, plecostimus...and a few others that I can no longer recall. It is important to insure adequate support below as the tank, water and cabinet approached 1 ton.

[Viking2002]

Agreed on both points: cichlids are beautiful - if hyper-predatory - fish. And, you can never have too much filtration. If you have a 29H tank, get a pump rated for a 55. And so on. And I'm a big proponent of undergravel systems. I try not to go with multi-bellow air pumps - I actually run one pump per riser tube for maximum pulldown through the substrate.

[r_barton]

Our daughter went to WalMart and bought two “goldfish” about three years ago. The “goldfish” turned out to be Koi and have outgrown the 10-gallon tank. We now have two foot long Koi (one white pearl color and one calico) in a 50-gallon aquarium, and that’s not large enough. Watch out for kids buying “goldfish”. ;-)

[Viking2002]

No, unfortunately, that was back in the days before cyberspace and digital cameras. But if I wanted to - and I may again - I could recreate it in a matter of hours. It was the one 'themed' aquascape that could arguably be considered plausible and historically authentic.

Quit putting a burr under my saddle - I'm getting that itch now. LOL I told the wife I'm upgrading to a 55 hex for the corner of the room by the end of the year, and now I gotta contend with visions of Atlantis dancing in my head. :-)

[Viking2002]

Herp tanks do get that sickly-sweet smell to them, don't they?

[Viking2002]

How big did your pleco get? I had two over the years - Murray the First and Murray, Jr. - but the cramped quarters did them in. (Actually, Murray, Jr. was done in by me after I went on a drunken, raging algaecide binge one evening. I'll carry the shame of fishslaughter with me forever.)

[gorush]

He grew rapidly and became quite aggressive...he was about a foot long when he had to be sent into exile, I shared your shame, but have gotten over it. :{)

[skinkinthegrass]

Herp tanks do get that sickly-sweet smell to them, don't they?
true....hence my keeping Skinks....snakes/turtle/other lizards...frogs/toads, OK.

[Osage Orange]

I'm just the opposite...I'm a big "believer" in stand alone..cartridge type filtration systems.

Been down that undergravel system road....And with sand digging cichilds it was a hassle.

No matter....the point with either is to go bigger than you think you need.

FRegards,

[gorush]

"If I go with turtles as well I was thinking about building up one side of the tank so it is above the water level."

That makes it tricky to have a skimmer without providing an escape route for the turtles, plus you'd have an unsightly line at water level...but I have no first hand experience so take this advice with a grain of salt.

[Viking2002]

Yeah, there's more than one way to skin a cat. It depends on what your final goal is. I just like the bacteria beds helping the water clarity, organically.

[Luigi Vasellini]

Turtles require a good basking light with UV B radiation. I would suggets a stinkpot musk turtle. Babies can be bought here cheaply. http:www.kingsnake.com They are very cute about dime sized max out at 4-5 inches. But take several years to grow to that size. Very active in aquariums they run along the bottom. All kinds of herps are at this website, and cheaper than if bought at petsmart. I raised herps commercially for a number of years contact me if you have any questions.

[Luigi Vasellini]

whoops should be http://www.kingsnake.com

[randomhero97]

Thanks for the Site. I'll check it out.

Thanks everyone for the info. and replies. Freepers never fail to be a big help.

[Luigi Vasellini]

stinkpot musk also called common musk, Sternotherus odoratus If you go to the website nad go to classifieds a guy by the name of Paul V sells em ten bucks for hatchlings, shipping will cost you some. But Pet shops usually only have adult turtles. These are tiny, can sit on your thumbnail. Really neat looking at that size. They are bottom dwellers, gallop across the bottom of the aquarium.

[willyd]

You have to replace 10% of the water on a weekly basis (or more often if the tank is smaller or has more fish). You have to make sure the salinity of the water stays very similar. You have to make sure that there is no chlorine or other chemicals in the water you use for the replacement. This means buying purified water or exposing tap water to the sun for a few days in a backyard pool to remove the chlorine. You have to get someone to do these things for you when you are out of town. You have to make sure no one drops a coin or a beer cap in the aquarium (depending on the age and number of children around...lol) as it will upset the water balance and kill the fish. It is a rewarding experience, but in my experience, you can get just as beautiful a tank without the cost and time spent going the fresh water route. You may want to explore brackish water tanks as well as they are becoming popular, the fish are hardier and you get the best of both worlds when it comes to tank critter selection.

[T Minus Four]

Hmmm....how big is “the big one”? :-)