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.

[GQ03]

6 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

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.

What kind of fish does he keep? 

I had a 90 gallon freshwater African cichlid tank that I loved before I gave it up when moving out of state. Loved coming home after work and just watching the tank for an hour or so as a way to decompress. Have 3 kids now and might give it another go when they're a bit older but mortgage, daycare and extra curriculars is eating up all the disposable income right now. 

[HookemTexas]

7 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

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.

That would be fantastic, I’m looking at a 20 gallon with just one type of fish as well.

[Titleist8412]

Are you in Austin? If so, call Capital Aquariums. John Howerton owns it and is a Longhorn. Great dude. 

[HookemTexas]

20 minutes ago, Titleist8412 said:

Are you in Austin? If so, call Capital Aquariums. John Howerton owns it and is a Longhorn. Great dude. 

Am in Houston, when I head to Austin, will be sure to check them out.  I've been research Medaka Japanese rice fish as my first venture.

[Rocky P]

23 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.

Salt water is a bigger time and money suck than fresh water.