Which tank for a beginner?

[Themoleisdead]

I would like to get a starter tank and kit to keep something like neon tetras in - I was thinking of a Bio orb but have read some really bad reviews. Space is not an issue but I thought it might be better to start small.

What is the minimum size I should consider?
Does the shape of the tank matter?

TIA

Biorbs are terrible just get a regular tank they're cheaper and usually better! You'll need a filter wether you go for tropical or temperate and obviously a heater for tropical.
Don't get a goldfish! They're horrible fish to keep in tanks!
You need a minimum of 1 litre of water per cm of fish (for example 6 litres for one neon tetra, as the get to 6cm when fully grown) small tropical tanks aren't too fun as most of the fish you'll probably looking at will be too big.

You're right to try a small tank first as you can see how easy(or difficult) it will be to keep up with the weekly water changes, even though you'll only ever take out 20% of the water it still takes time and effort.

You could start off with temperate(meaning they can live in hot or cold tanks) fish as they're generally more hardy, leopard danios are pretty or White Cloud Mountain minnows and that way you can start with a basic tank without a heater and then either stick with a small temperate tank or upgrade tanks to a bigger tank with a heater and move your fish up too!

Or if you did want to start with a tropical tank maybe look at getting a 10litre tank and a betta fish? And if you did want to upgrade you could move him in with a school of neons or corys in the future.
Either way make sure you cycle the tank first as it will make things easier in the long run!

Seconded with previous poster! Biorbs are really badly designed tanks and certainly don't get a goldfish.

However - never start small with a fish tank - it is much much harder to keep your water parameters stable with a small fish tank and if something goes wrong it will go really wrong. Plus if and when you decide to upgrade you will be shelling out for another of everything. Try 60L minimum.

Do lots of research first. Really get to grips with the nitrogen cycle. Go to a reputable fish shop and get inspired - then go on eBay and look for second hand deals.

A betta fish will not do well in 10 L, nothing will. Do not believe myths about betta being scared by a large tank or thriving in vases. Betta should have 40 L+ .

Along with minnows and danios, Betta fish (though they are tropical and will need a heater) are a great starter fish: hardy, plenty of colour options and charming. Some betta are bullies, some can be kept in community set ups. If you want to keep them with other fish avoid betta that have been raised in isolation and avoid cohabiting fish with long flowing fins (they can enrage the betta) or fish that nip (they can harm your slow moving betta). Try and make you betta tanks interesting as they like to explore.

And always cycle a tank before introducing fish. The greatest bit of advice given to me when I started out was: you don't look after the fish, you look after the water.

Good luck!

The best advice really is the biggest you can afford is best

Much easier to keep

Oh! and when looking at shapes go for what allows the fish to swim properly (i.e. tall thin tanks are a bit cruel for fish that swim side to side or bottom dwelling fish) and are easy to keep clean. Generally, if the tank looks as if it has been designed for the fashionable human - think clock aquariums, globes, coffee table tanks etc etc - avoid.