First post

4kreefer

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 6, 2025
Messages
3
Reaction score
20
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi,
My daughter wants an aquarium.
I'm totally lost.

She's 11 and I'm not sure she'll take care of the fishies.

What's a good (hardy) starter fish ?
Size of aquarium ?
I'm in Toronto.
Id recommend starting with freshwater, your local fish store can probably recommend a simple set up and good fish that they Carry, just dont forget aquariums take weekly (or more) maintenance
 

ZC aquatics

Advanced fish keeper
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2025
Messages
538
Reaction score
603
Location
Roy
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hmm I know most native species are hard to keep alive I think a 5-10 gallon planted with a betta fish some snails would look epic but if you want saltwater do your research for sure
 

Jimbhoy13

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 29, 2018
Messages
10,621
Reaction score
78,260
Location
Derbyshire
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.
background.png
 

tbrown

Cronies #3?? Heathens' Coffee Snob???
View Badges
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
81,450
Reaction score
220,526
Location
Peoria, AZ
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Hi,
My daughter wants an aquarium.
I'm totally lost.

She's 11 and I'm not sure she'll take care of the fishies.

What's a good (hardy) starter fish ?
Size of aquarium ?
I'm in Toronto.
1000007369.gif

As others have already stated, freshwater may be the way to start if you have no experience with aquariums. However, there are many types of "easier" saltwater aquarium kits out there that are almost plug and play with a little bit of elbow grease and plumbing experience. What's a good size to start with depends on your comfort level and how far in you want to dive.
 

edsbeaker

Grandma Has A Reef Obsession
View Badges
Joined
Dec 11, 2013
Messages
3,665
Reaction score
14,533
Location
Westfield, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello and welcome,
I agree with everyone else. A freshwater tank would probably be better if it’s your daughter that wants the tank. It will be a lot less work for you. Guppies, swordtails and platies are all very hardy and colorful freshwater fish.
 

Ocean_Queenie

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 3, 2023
Messages
3,208
Reaction score
27,879
Location
kearney
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello & Welcome!
IMG_1906.jpeg
 

zbrusko

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 14, 2023
Messages
444
Reaction score
239
Location
CT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello and welcome,
I agree with everyone else. A freshwater tank would probably be better if it’s your daughter that wants the tank. It will be a lot less work for you. Guppies, swordtails and platies are all very hardy and colorful freshwater fish.
Plus they reproduce easily, which is fun (until they overrun your tank)!
 

AnteVanjak

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2025
Messages
48
Reaction score
24
Location
New York
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi! Welcome to the hobby! I’d look into hello reef, they have a saltwater kit that has almost everything you need to get ur feet wet in the hobby at a fairly decent price, bulk reef supply carries the kit and it’s 15 gallon tank, comes with a AI blade light as well if you ever decide to keep some corals in the tank. Perfect started saltwater kit especially for some clownfish!
 

MC Blowfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 3, 2025
Messages
314
Reaction score
466
Location
Iowa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome!!

I would start with freshwater just to see how she likes it. Freshwater is usually far easier to take care of and far cheaper to get into the hobby.
 

dbroncos

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
357
Reaction score
102
Location
Philadelphia
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
If you really want saltwater you can try a kit called ‘Hello Reef’ kit. There are videos for it was well which walk you through setup.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

HOW DO YOU ADJUST YOUR CUC AS ALGAE DISAPPEARS?

  • Capture and re-home CUC

    Votes: 10 8.3%
  • Increase white light/hours in tank to spur algae growth to feed CUC

    Votes: 8 6.6%
  • Feed nori to support CUC

    Votes: 39 32.2%
  • Feed herbivore pellets to support CUC

    Votes: 43 35.5%
  • Allow attrition to balance CUC and algae

    Votes: 52 43.0%
  • Provide macro algae to feed CUC

    Votes: 8 6.6%
  • Introduce CUC predators

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 12 9.9%

New Posts

Back
Top