New Member Saying "Hi!"

[Texasmom6]

Hi!

After many years, I am getting back into the hobby of fish keeping. I am starting up a community tank that will hopefully be home to a couple of dwarf, "peaceful," cichlids. :) I've never had cichlids before, and am really looking forward to them, although I know I need to age the aquarium a while before getting them.

Although the Houston area seems to have many fish stores, I definitely haven't found a variety of small cichlids other than Bolivian Rams and German Blue Rams, which is why I have sought out this board! Hopefully, some of you can guide me to finding nice quality fish when the time comes.

So far, I have

5.5 gallon quarantine and hospital tank already set up

37 gallon Aqueon tank
Glass top
Aqua Clear 70 Filter
Beamswork 60 LED Lighting
Assorted driftwood, etc.

Jo

[barrettsline]

Welcome to the FishBox. They are many on this site that keep dwarf cichlids and such. More than just rams. Being in southwest houston you have quite a few options as far as local stores go.

City Pets
Houston Aquarium Warehouse
Fish Gallery
Aquarium Design Group
Xtreme Fish and Pets (Not sure if there still open)
Fish-N-Pets

Hopefully if you haven't been to these you can find some fish to suit your wants and needs.

As always feel free to ask around about anything you might need. There are many excellent resources on this forum that can and will help.

[ptran]

Welcome back! I think Fish Gallery is your best bet.

[Austy16414]

Welcome back! I highly recommend checking out Aquarium Design Group, Houston Aquarium Warehouse, and Fish Gallery. Just be sure to leave your wallet at home lol

A 37 gallon could make for an awesome Apistogramma setup

[Texasmom6]

Welcome back! I highly recommend checking out Aquarium Design Group, Houston Aquarium Warehouse, and Fish Gallery. Just be sure to leave your wallet at home lol

A 37 gallon could make for an awesome Apistogramma setup

Well, I'm already thinking ahead to a 55 gallon that I own. I forgot how addicting this is. In the past I had two tanks set up: a 29 gallon and a 55 gallon. I still have the 55 gallon and it's in great shape, but might have to be resealed. No stand, though. I'll work on that this summer. First - the 37 gallon.

[Austy16414]

You've got it bad already. Save yourself some trouble and buy a big tank now lol

[ptran]

Next thing you know you already have 10 tanks running...lol...like me.

[troy tucker]

Welcome to the Box!

[Texasmom6]

You've got it bad already. Save yourself some trouble and buy a big tank now lol

Believe me when I say that has crossed my mind several times! :)

However, my teens and I would love to have a tank dedicated to the fancier and rare guppies. Yeah, I know...money, money, money. I'm thinking that the 37 gallon would eventually become my guppy tank when I set up the 55 gallon. I'm just fascinated with the little apistogrammas, and already have quite the collection on my Pinterest page. Just wish I could fit that many in my aquarium.

[Austy16414]

Whatever floats your boat! I actually just picked up my first pair of Cacatuoides Triple Reds and they are very neat fish. I highly recommend them. I'm sure once you get rolling again, we'll be seeing quite a few new tanks pop up at your place haha

[ptran]

Black skirt Moscow guppy?

[Texasmom6]

Whatever floats your boat! I actually just picked up my first pair of Cacatuoides Triple Reds and they are very neat fish. I highly recommend them. I'm sure once you get rolling again, we'll be seeing quite a few new tanks pop up at your place haha

I actually know my limits. I'm quite sure I'll never go beyond one large tank (55 to 75-ish gallons),and two smaller tanks. I have a german shepherd, shih tzu, 2 conures, a parrotlet, a husband, kids, and grandkids who all need my attention, too. :) And I love them all. :)

[mnemenoi]

Welcome aboard!

[Austy16414]

You are much stronger than I. Then again, self-control never really was my thing. With a zoo running already, of course you had to add some fish! Keep us posted as you move forward with your tank

[amcgee2842]

I had a blue headed conure when I was going up. I liked to sleep in but my Conure was an early loud riser. Been looking at getting a parrot again but dont want a loud one of they exist.