Home aquariums

[Ghoste]

Any advice from those who keep fish in the house?  Is a larger tank better than a small one, are they all pretty much high maintenance, just a pain in the ass or what?

[RallyeMike]

They take some work, but are worth it. Freshwater is cheaper and a better way to go if you are just getting started. Too small a tank is harder to keep the water balanced for good fish health. Huge = a lot of work. I'd recommend 30-50 gals for starting.

I've been thinking about getting back into it, but I just dont have time or will.

[tan top]

 use to have tropical freshwater when I was a kid  , get the biggest tank you can get or fit , afford etc   stay away  from tropical saltwater , major expence   like anything to do with a Hemi E body  ,
 

[Mytur Binsdirti]

When the fish die & stink up the room a few times, you'll be looking to get rid of it.   

[bill440rt]

I used to have multiple tanks. Sizes ranging from 10 to 125 gallons. Freshwater, never got into saltwater and pretty much my budget wouldn't allow it. Too much work goes into saltwater for me. I did keep a brackish water tank for a while, though.
I found that yes, the bigger the tank the more stable. A 10 gallon tank is very unstable. The easiest tank was the 125.
Like any pet, yes it requires care. Periodic water changes, gravel cleaning, filter cleaning, etc. Get a gravel cleaner, you'll clean the gravel & do a partial water change at the same time. Filter gets cleaned about once a month. Size/shape of the tank depends on what kind of fish you want to put in it.
I got rid of my big tanks about 12 years ago when I moved into our house. I finally set up a tank a few months ago, got it from a friend and re-did the whole thing. 65 gallons, I keep some S.American cichlids in it and a few catfish.
Once it's set up, it's really not that bad and quite enjoyable. Unless you're letting dead fish ferment in there, there is little odor to worry about.

[RECHRGD]

I'm sure the tanks are better than they used to be.  That said, I gave up on fish tanks over twenty years ago after arriving home after a long weekend.  The tank had failed and about 80 gallons of water had destroyed a new hardwood floor.  I was done after that.....

[bill440rt]

I'm sure the tanks are better than they used to be.  That said, I gave up on fish tanks over twenty years ago after arriving home after a long weekend.  The tank had failed and about 80 gallons of water had destroyed a new hardwood floor.  I was done after that.....

Oh, NO!!!!   
That totally sucks. How old was the tank before it failed?

[RECHRGD]

I'm sure the tanks are better than they used to be.  That said, I gave up on fish tanks over twenty years ago after arriving home after a long weekend.  The tank had failed and about 80 gallons of water had destroyed a new hardwood floor.  I was done after that.....

Oh, NO!!!!   
That totally sucks. How old was the tank before it failed?

As I recall, it was only a few years old.......

[Ghoste]

That would be a bigger fear to me than the smell of few dead ones.

[Dodgecharger74]

The wifes 100 gallon tank easy to take care of until the heater failed.  It stayed on fish did not like the Hot tub It hit 103*

[HeavyFuel]

We enjoyed ours while it was around....about 10 years.  Got rid of it a few years ago when we got a dog.

I concur, the bigger tanks are easier in some ways.  They 'balance' and will take care of themselves to a degree, until it's time for the monthly gravel suck.

The stand was made out of black angle iron, and was custom made for us.  It was pretty cool.

We had a nice variety over the years...eels, bala sharks (one got to about 10-12 inches), angels, barbs, placos and many others I can't remember. 

They make a for a nice ambiance in the room, if you have the right spot.  It seemed oddly quiet in the house when we took it down.