Member

Posts: 68
From:Cleveland, OH, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-26-2003 08:50 AM         

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Hello all - Well, I'm new to this particular board and I have a question. I have always wanted to have a fish tank. But, I have several cats that act like they own the place and I'm afraid to get a tank because they may get the fish or knock it over to get to the fish. My questions are:
1) Should I even get a tank and fish and if so what kind do you reccomend (since I am not experienced)
2) If I get a tank and fish how can I prevent a cat-astrophy?

Any advice in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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Member

Posts: 20
From:wethersfield, ct
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-26-2003 11:45 AM         

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well if you are a beginner you must first do research. i was a beginner when i got my pacu. he was about 1" long and i had him in a 10 gallon tank. now here i am 2 1/2 years later with my pacu which has grown to 14inches and he now lives in a 90 gallon tank. so be sure you buy the right fish for the size aquarium you are going to get or you will fins youself shelling out money for tanks you might not want to.

a 10 gallon tank filled with water and an inch of gravel will weigh around 100lbs, unless you have super strong cats, they wont be able to knock it over, just be sure to secure the lid enough so the cats cant lift it off.

but seriously f you are a true beginner go check out some petstores and ask about fish. if you jumpo into this with very little knowledge it will make for fish keeping very miserable. if you have more questions feel free to ask.

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Member

Posts: 170
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-26-2003 02:40 PM         

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one thing u could do is get a beginner fish like a zebra danio or something and if u wanted u could make a tight fitting

i made the 1 for the 290 gallon tank

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Member

Posts: 13
From:
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-26-2003 11:17 PM         

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Wow silver that is a terrorable fish to start out with. Pacus get huge. And i wouldnt agree with goin to a pet store and getting info from them. I enjoy goin in the store and asking them hard questions just to see what they will say and most of the workers have no idea. message boards like this are great places to get info on fish. Just look around for a few weeks and you would be amazed at the info u pick up. For a starter tank that is low $ i would say get a 10-20 gal with a filter that fits the size tank and u have so many choices of fish. But make sure u look up the fish before u get them to see how there aggression is, max size, water conditions, and compadability. I dont know if silver was misinformed on the adult size of pacus or did it that way on purpous, but to me all that upgrading isnt worth the $. even in a 90 gal a pacu will still out grow it. but best of luck with the fish and if u have a cover the cats shouldnt be a problem, or get some piranha and worry about the cats getting messed with.

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Member

Posts: 20
From:wethersfield, ct
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-27-2003 10:06 PM         

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gump- your right bout pet stores, many of them know very little bout fish, but i have found a few in my area that i stick with and specialize only in fish. i found an online website that sells all supplies half price and even less than that.

and i was not informed bout the size of pacus when i got him. i just saw my freinds pacu eat a goldfish and i thought it was cool, but no wive had him for 2 1/2 years and every penny i spend on him is worth it, he is like a family pet and everyonhe always asks bout him. hes got a great personality. hes my buddy and i will spend as much as i have to to keep him happy and healthy. my next tank im saving for is a 125 or might just jump to a 180.

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Member

Posts: 170
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-28-2003 12:36 AM         

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quote:

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even in a 90 gal a pacu will still out grow

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i wouldnt be too suprised if my pacu gets big enough so it cant turn around in the 290 gallon tank

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New Member

Posts: 4
From:Seattle, WA, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-28-2003 02:06 AM         

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If you want to avoid a catatostraphie you should get a little bigger tank around a 55 gallon or maybe larger so they cant knock it over. And so they dont fall in you should consider getting a canopy they are very nice looking anyway. Hope this helps a little.

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Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 06-28-2003 04:09 AM         

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I don't think you have to worry about a cat knocking over an aquarium. Water weighs roughly 8 lbs/gal. A ten gallon tank would weigh roughly 80lbs, a 20-160lbs, a 30-240lbs, a 55-440lbs. But then again maybe you have Supercat, faster than a speeding Bala, able to leap a 55 in a single bound, more powerful than a rapidly swimming Pacu.

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Member

Posts: 200
From:canada
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-28-2003 09:37 AM         

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i am currently running a 75 gal and the tank empty is **** heavy! with 600lbs of water in it i doubt i could knock it over lol.
just what ever you get make sure you get a good stand, the stand is thje backbone of you setup.

(edited for language)

[This message has been edited by Hooben (edited 02-22-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 76
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-28-2003 09:50 AM         

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the only thing that ur can do i scarch at the glass because the fish tank is going to be heavy because every gallon equals 9 pounds

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Member

Posts: 68
From:Cleveland, OH, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-01-2003 02:56 PM         

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Thanks everyone for your help in this matter. I guess I never took into consideration about the weight of the water. LOL - Gosh, I guess you really can tell I'm not experienced huh. Although my cats are always into trouble about something - they don't have super feline strength. LOL
Thanks again for everyone's input - I decided just to get a 10gal freshwater tank kit with filter and some smoothe pebbles for the bottom and some goldfish to start with. I got a book on Mollies and may get some later after I learn more about them. Thanks again.

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Member

Posts: 170
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-01-2003 05:50 PM         

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the 290 gallon tank just by its self is so heavy 4 men can barley lift it then add the water the fish the gravel and a few other things
i doubt even super cat could nock that over

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Member

Posts: 25
From:hood river, or, usa
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-18-2003 02:22 AM         

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hey get any size tank that you want get a good lid and it the cats still get in get some piranahs or something like that the cats wont rule for long.

but really a ten gallon tank with fancy guppies or even goldfish is a great way to WET you fish appetiet

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Member

Posts: 16
From:Riverside
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-21-2004 02:32 PM         

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I hope your fish are doing fine. I have 2 cats and I have had a tank at home for years with no problems. One of my cats even thinks she is a dog so she in into everything and growls when the mailman comes. After have your goldfish for a while you can try others. It has been a while sence your last post so I asume you may have done this already. I have now got a tank at work with guppies in it anf the kids love it. I am new to guppies, but I have heard they are great fish. Maybe you should look in some guppies?

Hope this info is of worth to you.
GOOD LCUK.
Kristina

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Member

Posts: 501
From:Missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-21-2004 02:54 PM         

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I hate to tell you this, but you really shouldn't have gotten goldfish The fancy ones can get 8 or 9 inches and will be too large for a 10 gallon tank. Comet goldfish can get over 24" and really aren't suited for most home aquariums.

I recommend maybe about 4 or 5 mollies and maybe a few cory cats for a 10 gallon.

-Chelle

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