Fish / Aquarium

[HookemTexas]

Any fish/aquarium hobbyists here?  I’m thinking about starting an aquarium but am a total newbie.  Currently just doing research.

Heard it can be a major time/money sink.

[Gerry Hamilton]

Had them for years … if you are up for the upkeep, love them 

time, yes

[HonkEm]

4 hours ago, HookemTexas said:

Any fish/aquarium hobbyists here?  I’m thinking about starting an aquarium but am a total newbie.  Currently just doing research.

Heard it can be a major time/money sink.

People act like starting an aquarium is the financial equivalent of buying a boat. It’s not. A basic freshwater setup costs less than a weekend bar tab, and once it’s cycled, it basically runs itself. The only folks who ‘lose money’ are the ones who impulse‑buy a tiny tank, cram 14 fish in it, and then spend the next month wondering why they’re running a pet cemetery. I had a 40‑gallon built into the wall at my last place - start with something in that 20–40 gallon range, mix fish that actually belong together, do a quick 20‑minute weekly water change, and the whole thing basically runs on autopilot.

[4thandFive]

I want an axolotl 

[horns96]

I had cichlids for years in my younger years.  That was decades ago, but Jack Dempseys are a hardier cichlid than most.  I often think about setting up an aquarium now, watching fish is really cool.

[Blake Munroe]

My oldest son, Colt, currently has three aquariums (much to my and my wife’s dismay). I really didn’t think he would have the self-discipline needed to keep up with two, much less three, but he’s surprised me. He absolutely loves it. He buys fish and plants often for them. They aren’t huge (10-20 gallons I think) but each one is different groups of those fish and plants living together  

I will have to get him on this thread.