It's always dark in the beginning...

Hello internets! *wave* I have decided to "join the club" as it were, and create a blog for my up & coming fishtank.

I've always admired fish. My elementary school had a guppy tank, which I loved watching. I had black mollies for a short time, as well as fantail goldfish. I once adopted an entire tank from a friend, and I've owned several betta splendens over the years... but never bothered to really study and follow through on the proper way to maintain a tank.

This time I am being very careful. I've read and re-read about cycling, water testing, water changes, and tank stocking. Currently I'm still in the early purchasing stages... so far I have:

1) a 10 gallon tank with hood/light
2) Aquatech 5-15 HOB filter (may upgrade to a 10-20)
3) 20 lb bag of black sand - as yet unwashed
4) a small air pump with airline tubing & a small bubble wand.

The filter, air pump & company were adopted from a friend who had broken down his tank. The 10 gallon was another rescue from a garage/storage. The sand was my first big (and heavy!) purchase. I plan to pick up a master water testing kit soon, along with a power strip, plug-in timer, and dechlorinator. Then I'll wash the sand, fill the tank, plug everything in, and then start my fishless cycling. Heck, I even bought a bag of frozen raw shrimp - purely for the intentioh of using one or two to help along my cycle. Well, I guess I can make some pasta or something with the rest later. *grin* This tank will have a sand substrate, live plants, with a focus on corydoras catfish. I am still waffling about what kind of top-swimming fish to choose...I like the Honey Gourami, Dwarf Gourami, & Betta Splendens. I'm not sure the Betta will like the current in my tank. I'm leaning towards the Dwarf Gourami simply because they're the most available here (I've visited several pet/fish stores to check out their fish/supplies)... but it's all keyed into the hope they will remain a top-swimming fish. I may just forget the top-swimming idea and enjoy the cories by themselves. They're adorable little clowns!

So there is a light at the end of this tunnel! I am determined to have a successful, healthy, and happy tank! And hopefully there will be pictures posted here to help illustrate this journey... thanks for visiting!