Looking for someone knowledgeable about aquariums
- ChicagoGuy
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Looking for someone knowledgeable about aquariums
Hello all,
It has been a long while since I've been on here, but I'm still around, and still working for the big guy. Anyway, I am interested in getting an aquarium for my apartment. I'm thinking a decent size tank, like maybe in the 20 to 40 gallon range. I would need the whole set up: pumps, filters, oxygenation systems, lighting and appropriate plants and fish and all that jazz as well as guidance about proper care and maintenance.
I was wondering if there was anyone here who had experience with this sort of thing and could:
1. Help me find and buy all the equipment and supplies I need;
2. Help me set the whole thing up; and
3. Give me instructions on care and maintenance.
I'd be willing to pay for your time and assistance.
Thanks
P.S. I recently heard through the grapevine about SunSan. I was shocked and saddened to hear the news. I had only met him one time, but he seemed like a very kind and friendly guy. My condolences to all of his friends here.
It has been a long while since I've been on here, but I'm still around, and still working for the big guy. Anyway, I am interested in getting an aquarium for my apartment. I'm thinking a decent size tank, like maybe in the 20 to 40 gallon range. I would need the whole set up: pumps, filters, oxygenation systems, lighting and appropriate plants and fish and all that jazz as well as guidance about proper care and maintenance.
I was wondering if there was anyone here who had experience with this sort of thing and could:
1. Help me find and buy all the equipment and supplies I need;
2. Help me set the whole thing up; and
3. Give me instructions on care and maintenance.
I'd be willing to pay for your time and assistance.
Thanks
P.S. I recently heard through the grapevine about SunSan. I was shocked and saddened to hear the news. I had only met him one time, but he seemed like a very kind and friendly guy. My condolences to all of his friends here.
I was told there would be cake.
No expert but have had a few over time.. I cant imagine you mean a marine (salt) system as those are not beginners tanks and need lots of knowledge and supplies.
General advice, less fish than most stock for a start, unless you dont mind a lot of die off and more work to keep it clean and balanced. Also spend time to research the fish, having nippy fish with decorative finned fish is a problem and sellers of fish dont generally care what you buy as long as your buying.
Real plants look great but are harder to keep green and healthy than fish are IMO, planted tanks I have run again were more maintenance than they were worth. Plastic plants look like shit but are at least easy to clean and can handle the water cycling in full instead of 30% etc. The other option is...
The best tank I had (easy to keep clean, looked good, hardy and cheap fish, everything local avaiable) was a tank of mostly cichlid (malawi) with a black sand bottom and lots of good stone. Thats the environment the fish like, they and bright and brave (mobile) for entertainment and didnt need a lot of work cleaning, balancing, cycling, etc.
I have no idea whats in PP but all of this was available in Thailand very easy, even in small towns and asians like keeping fish so maybe is there. A bit of research at the beginning will avoid a bunch of mistake just jumping in with poorly translated ideas like I did.
General advice, less fish than most stock for a start, unless you dont mind a lot of die off and more work to keep it clean and balanced. Also spend time to research the fish, having nippy fish with decorative finned fish is a problem and sellers of fish dont generally care what you buy as long as your buying.
Real plants look great but are harder to keep green and healthy than fish are IMO, planted tanks I have run again were more maintenance than they were worth. Plastic plants look like shit but are at least easy to clean and can handle the water cycling in full instead of 30% etc. The other option is...
The best tank I had (easy to keep clean, looked good, hardy and cheap fish, everything local avaiable) was a tank of mostly cichlid (malawi) with a black sand bottom and lots of good stone. Thats the environment the fish like, they and bright and brave (mobile) for entertainment and didnt need a lot of work cleaning, balancing, cycling, etc.
I have no idea whats in PP but all of this was available in Thailand very easy, even in small towns and asians like keeping fish so maybe is there. A bit of research at the beginning will avoid a bunch of mistake just jumping in with poorly translated ideas like I did.
- ChicagoGuy
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Hi RielLove, thanks for the reply.
You are correct that I do not mean a saltwater tank. Even though they are pretty sweet, I think I would need a professional maintenance person to take care of a salt water tank. I think I would like to go with live plants, even if there is some more maintenance involved. I think it really makes for a nicer looking tank in my personal opinion, like you're looking at a real bit of the sea.
I'm fine with starting off with just a small amount of fish in the beginning as you suggest and I'll check out the local fish you mentioned.
Thanks for the advice!
You are correct that I do not mean a saltwater tank. Even though they are pretty sweet, I think I would need a professional maintenance person to take care of a salt water tank. I think I would like to go with live plants, even if there is some more maintenance involved. I think it really makes for a nicer looking tank in my personal opinion, like you're looking at a real bit of the sea.
I'm fine with starting off with just a small amount of fish in the beginning as you suggest and I'll check out the local fish you mentioned.
Thanks for the advice!
I was told there would be cake.
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- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
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Let us know if you find a place that lets you return lethargic 1000 riel fish for store credit.
Follow my lame Twitter feed: @gavin_mac
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- A Very Special Little Weasel
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Gavinmac is referring to the fact that shops in Cambodia generally do not accept returns.
For that reason, unless you find a good shop with everything, I suggest buying everything from Thailand and transporting it over to Cambodia. It's probably the only sure way, and it might even be easier considering the culture.
Almost everything is available in Thailand. A pal of mine even started breeding those pretty "pink bullhead" fish favored by the Chinese! Nice fish...
I wish however there was a system of pipes that made changing the water easier, however.
For that reason, unless you find a good shop with everything, I suggest buying everything from Thailand and transporting it over to Cambodia. It's probably the only sure way, and it might even be easier considering the culture.
Almost everything is available in Thailand. A pal of mine even started breeding those pretty "pink bullhead" fish favored by the Chinese! Nice fish...
I wish however there was a system of pipes that made changing the water easier, however.
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- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
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No, I was just referring to the fact that a moronic poster on this site once tried to return a 1000 riel fish.
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... 10&t=27417
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... 10&t=27417
Follow my lame Twitter feed: @gavin_mac
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- A Very Special Little Weasel
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Yes, go with the flow is good advice from Gavinmac.
But to **stay on topic**, one can get a simple setup here in Cambodia quite easily. It's getting better and better, too!
[Edited for typo.]
But to **stay on topic**, one can get a simple setup here in Cambodia quite easily. It's getting better and better, too!
[Edited for typo.]
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I have quite a bit of professional experience with aquariums and have made my self relatively familiar with many of the shops offering fish and aquarium supplies for sale here in Phnom Penh. I sent you a pm.
The old joke- whats the difference between a catfish and a lawyer?
One is a scum sucking bottom dweller and the other one is a fish.
One is a scum sucking bottom dweller and the other one is a fish.
- ChicagoGuy
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ba, dum! ding!
I was told there would be cake.
sent you a pm. gimme a shout if you're still in need of some advice...
'kick-a-poo' joy juice.
Might like to check the "setting up aquarium thread" http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... =1&t=26408
I set up a half metre tank for mother in law 3 months ago - total cost $25. Got all the stuff from Penh Chet fishshop. They are very helpfull. Wont offer much advice as I am a complete novice in this area. Its important to cycle the tank for about a week with very few fish. Wife was impatient and didnt do this and started with too many fish. Result - dead fish! Recently had another dead fish problem because wife changed too much of the water on the weekly change and forgot the declorination salt. Result - dead fish!
I set up a half metre tank for mother in law 3 months ago - total cost $25. Got all the stuff from Penh Chet fishshop. They are very helpfull. Wont offer much advice as I am a complete novice in this area. Its important to cycle the tank for about a week with very few fish. Wife was impatient and didnt do this and started with too many fish. Result - dead fish! Recently had another dead fish problem because wife changed too much of the water on the weekly change and forgot the declorination salt. Result - dead fish!
- ChicagoGuy
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Thanks for linking me to that, I'll read through it!
I was told there would be cake.