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
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)
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.