Moment of Madness builds an aquarium

First things first: I have moved quite close to the ocean into an apartment. With no animals.

I have a few bonsai but that doesn't really count, does it? I mean I talk to them and they seem quite happy to see me (Ok they don't move but that could be because they are frozen with joy). Anyway - I had a failed attempt at making a home for some guppies before I left for Worlds last month - so recently I decided to start over.

So far I have a big tank (thanks to my girlfriend who sourced it from a friend who kept a snake in it)

A heater

An air pump with an airstone

A filter

A few cool fake plants and a tree trunk feature

and a thermometer.

So I filled the tank up and I have been letting it settle and get bacteria etc etc (according to the guys at the pet store you have to let the water settle and stuff)

This Friday (30 August) I am heading off to get some fish! I can't wait. I am going to document my experimental efforts to raise some kick ass fish  - the idea is that if I can look after them - I am growing up. ( When I was a kid I had guppies, they too also died a watery death)

This time I have more information and a real desire (other than "all the other kids have them so i want one too") to make this work.

 I am not sure what fish to get but apparently live bearers are the way forward (guppies etc) to begin with...

Got any tips etc for me? Other than don't kill them?

Check out the set up below. What should I add to it? (Yes, I know, fish ..they are coming!)

Next week I will show you what fish I settled on - I am going to need some advice on names too...

I look forward to it :)

These fish are gonna be so awesome - they will be hanging their little fish coats in Davy Jones' locker I tell ya!

- Jason