Thanks for all the friendly welcomes!!!
Very new to fish, although been doing a lot of reading on the forum about the do's and don't etc.
This all started a few months back when the kids were pestering for a fish for birthdays, I resisted for a few months but eventually decided to visit our local shop to get the low down. My initial view was a small bowl with a couple of fish, nice and easy like you see everywhere. However, the more I've read the more I see this is a terrible way to keep them ultimately results in an early trip to fish heaven and a couple of unhappy kids.
So, after more reasearch, I've punted for the following Emotions Pro 80 (Sorry can't post external links)
Aquarium dimensions (LxWxH) 81.2 x 40.2 x 56 cm
Useful Volume 142 L
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KoWDWJlc-S8wRhtmW05RV5ks28Fvud0V4jXgfch10swfAbUDUlVzcca-R_hyEhChegr51o-WPdO-jStxfk5yE1GVIqpQIJfhnjckCXDbbIjGN3Hdy-KseMwwfKyDb4wTGzVeJMCDrj8cT3VFLSMwwOOjEIR5lQSoUpEVmHTgVT8CB9pzsgg8nR7XdhN7Rg5xGYXyZhgNmA62VBHvqysTVsLLywOBD65J15pvl51hXHYTPJgVsjfKNkuf0MTVVBNJy87g7RAWIlPZZuYVaY46EqTJrhn36w7ulqz2wG4rpix8vl4IU_Pu3N-n93n-TylYLtX0gZNDvOYk5eUjNpNPdN-JO0zNc13_Z68nlHOEFkp_wJnBvY7PpMqblGDKOrjB8NZDU1xGwY54hE4toDGgp3fkzxWHb3rYHiYrOf21WkNIM3_h-KscZ7hx6cS6pyFgZyxkPaEzruhCLLMy_IiMSuC8b59B2C35WTyjF6Vmp1ZAN1gNTXas664bC-H0HA7Div2iFAoiM4VjhiLN_Oe6zdc1O9U4MPtl7SO5IKoebkhfklJ-QI8mCATgTwTaJi7EVXyUospeRHWPt6kMUs3TmqtRdFFRkY5vi466wq0oRv1MNqxkH-rHLpXdN1VAeY-7=w432-h886-no)
I've ordered gravel a novelty sunken wreck and a couple of smiling crocodiles and star fish (kids choice) and now I'm debating the fish or fishless cycle. I'll be honest, I don't think the kids could hold out for 6 weeks for the fishless cycle so I'm trying to work out the most humane way of doing a fish cycle with maybe just a couple of tougher fish and rigorous daily testing and water change schedule (Using an API freshwater test kit)
(https://www.swelluk.com/img/shop/original/freshwatertest_image-1.jpg)
My thinking is if I keep only a couple and with the size of the tank I can hopefully keep the suffering down to a minimum and then hopefully get through the cycle and after a couple of months start adding a couple more every few weeks.
I've only taken delivery of the tank on Wednesday and its all build and ready for a quick clean before water treatment and away we go. I'm looking to setup next weekend as I'm away for a few days this week, but looking to run for at least 1 week to ensure filter, heater etc are all working, then start with the Fluval cycle biological enhancer for a few days and then add a couple of fish the week after.
Apologies if I've gone on as this was meant to be just a introduction, but once I started, didn't know when to stop.
Any advice on my approach and plan would be most welcome, also recommendations for the 2 starter fish and also future fish as I want to create a community tank with a few nice coloured but easy to look after starter fish that can all get along.
Thanks
Bazza.