Fishy Question??

[danfishman]

I really want a nice fish tank but don't want to be constantly worried about my fish dying, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts,
p.s. I was looking for something other than boring old Damsels.

 

[goldfish]

Try doing a more aggressive tank with eels and/or triggers. They are usually more hardy and will not be as likely to attract ich and other lovely diseases!!!

 

[mr . salty]

Avoid mistakes.The most often made mistakes I have seen are Going too fast.Let your tank mature before stocking it.This means waiting till the cycle is COMPLEATLY done...Then do not add fish too quickly.Add only one fish every two or three weeks.This will give your tank ample time to adjust to the added load on the system...Do not overstock your tank.An overstocked tank will be a pain in the a$$ to keep clean,and maintain water quality...And most important,,Do not skimp on equiptment.Cheap onderpowered filters and lack of live rock are the #1 culprits here...

 

[kris]

take Mr. Salty's advice and keep major mistakes to a minimum, but to say or expect to never lose a fish I think would be unrealistic. Go into this hobby with your eyes wide open or don't bother. It's alot of work, very rewarding, but still alot of work and money.
Good Luck

 

[jhueb12]

Kris has a good point, death is inevitable <img src="graemlins//dead.gif" border="0" alt="[dead]" /> but through studying and a lil trial and error this hobby will quickly become rewarding.

 

[hockeyplyr]

I find groupers to be very hardy but I agree with everone else overstocking is bad. And investing in a quarentine tank is a very good Idea. Isolating new fish in quarentine take to make sure they are healthy is always a good Idea so you have less chance of polluting your comunity tank. better to watch one expensive fish die the the many expensive established fish.

 

[danfishman]

Yeah I have had a few loses, the last wiping out all the fish except a Rankin Cod. I know everyone has losses but its the constant worrying and monitoring that bothers me, I want fish that you feed and that is all, i want no disease, bad water quality and fish that will live longer that 6 months
I guess I'm just getting tired of it.

 

[kris]

sorry danfishman, first i didn't realize you were already into it, sounded like you were just thinking of starting. I am also sorry you are so frustrated with it, a nice tank is possible for everyone believe it or not. I agree though, it's very nice when you finally get to the point where your not holding your breath every time you add a fish. Since I don't have alot of time, and also don't like constant monitoring, or having to mess with pretty much anything othere than periodic water changes and feeding the guys, here's what I do to really cut down--
understock--the more thats in the tank the more water quality is an issue. I also only pick the hardier fish--there are lots besides damsels.
Good Luck

 

[sinner's girl]

what about clowns? we've keep one alive for over a year! and the little one's doing good. lots of fun to watch